"Supporting the Troops of the Utah National Guard"

The Official Webpage for the Honorary Colonels Corps of Utah

 

The distinguished members are a dedicated group of civic and community leaders of Utah that promote the objectives of the Utah Army and Air National Guard.  We stand for the freedoms that our country enjoys and defends.

We support patriotic programs such as the Freedom Academy that enriches our youth, the Annual Minuteman Awards Banquet that recognizes community leaders in our state, the Veterans Day Concert that entertains the public with a free annual concert showcasing patriotic vocal and instrumental music, and the annual Governor’s/Family Day Parade held at Camp Williams.

The Honorary Colonels Corps of Utah is not affiliated with any political party.  We are a non-profit organization that creates goodwill.

Utah State Representative Jefferson Burton speaks to Freedom Academy delegates outside the State House of Representatives offices, July 12, 2022. Since 1961, the Utah National Guard and Honorary Colonels Corps have sponsored Freedom Academy and provided a challenging and engaging environment designed to teach young leaders the importance of freedom and that leadership is essential to its survival. (U.S. Army Photo By Staff Sgt. Ariel J. Solomon)
Freedom Academy delegates and counselors gather for a group photo on the steps of the Utah State Capitol, July 12, 2022. Since 1961, the Utah National Guard and Honorary Colonels Corps have sponsored Freedom Academy and provided a challenging and engaging environment designed to teach young leaders the importance of freedom and that leadership is essential to its survival. (U.S. Army Photo By Staff Sgt. Ariel J. Solomon)
Delegates visit the Roland Wright Air National Guard Base, July 13, 2022, during Freedom Academy. Since 1961, the Utah National Guard and Honorary Colonels Corps have sponsored Freedom Academy and provided a challenging and engaging environment designed to teach young leaders the importance of freedom and that leadership is essential to its survival. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Ariel Solomon)

 

History

The Honorary Colonels Corps was organized by Brigadier General Lewis T. Ellsworth, President of Surety Life Insurance Company, who donated personal funds to create the organization in 1958. Major General Maxwell E. Rich was the Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard at that time. Original membership consisted of 17 individuals. General Ellsworth remained commander of the Corps for approximately 25 years.

Ellsworth was succeeded as commander by Mitchell Melich, Chris Johnson, Jake Garn and the present commander is, Maj. Gen. (retired) Brian Tarbet.

Major General Michael Turley is presently the adjutant general and may act as the chairperson of the HC Corps when necessary. Former commander, Brig Gen (Ret) E. J. “Jake” Garn is an emeritus member.

The HC Corps was created as a civic organization for the purpose of creating good will and social welfare for the state and promoting the interests of the Utah National Guard. It supports the objectives and actions of the National Guard to help further the best interests of the state. The HC Corps also works with the governor of Utah on such affairs and projects as appropriate.

The HC Corps is a non-profit organization, and no part of the net earnings goes to benefit any individual. The HC Corps does not attempt to influence legislation nor participate in any political activities. At the present time, dues are $200 per year and no additional fund raising is conducted.

Members include individuals who have distinguished themselves in the fields of government services, military affairs, business, the arts, the sciences, or other worthwhile fields of endeavor. Governors are automatically inducted as members of the HC Corps and remain in the Corps after they leave office. At the present time, we also have numerous retired general officers of the Utah National Guard and mayors as HC Corps members.

The HC Corps sponsors an annual Awards Banquet to recognize community leaders who have supported the National Guard or who have been active in promoting programs in the public interest throughout the state and nation.

The HC Corps provides financial support to Freedom Academy held at Camp Williams each year. The program is designed to instill patriotism and democratic principles in student-body officers and other selected students from high schools throughout the state. After a week with their peers, students are encouraged to return to their respective schools and organize Freedom Week activities for the benefit of their student bodies.

The HC Corps sponsors the annual Veterans Day Concert where the Utah National Guard's 23rd Army Band joins with the Granite School District choirs to present a free concert to the public.

The HC Corps joins in Governor's Day activity in September of each year where tribute is paid to the governor/commander in chief and the men and women of the Utah National Guard.

Events

(Accepting Applications - Click Here)

 

 

 

 

 

DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS
Updated 23 February 2023
 

Hon Col Jerry R Acton
Hon Col Julie A Anderson
Hon Col A Scott Anderson
Hon Col Scott L Anderson
BG (Ret) Dallen Scott Atack
Hon Col Dwight L Baldwin
Hon Col Eugene W Banks
Hon Col Michael Barnes*
Hon Col Lane R Beattie
Hon Col George A Becker
Hon Col Mark Buchi
Brig Gen (Ret) Christine M Burckle
Hon Col Joe C Burgess
MG (Ret) Jefferson S Burton*
Hon Col Kenneth R Burton
Hon Col John E Cameron
Hon Col Kent A Cameron
Hon Col Sid Cardon
Hon Col James E Charnholm
Brig Gen (Ret) Ronald E Chytraus
Hon Col Howard S Clark
Hon Col Milada A Copeland
Hon Col Sheryl Cox
Governor Spencer J Cox
Brig Gen Darwin Craig
Hon Col Bart O Davis
Hon Col Gerald Skip Daynes
Brig Gen (Ret) Ralph L Dewsnup
Hon Col Ezekiel Jr Dumke
Hon Col Randy D Edwards
Hon Col Raymond J Etcheverry
Hon Col David P Felt
Hon Col Kelvin G Findlay
BG (Ret) Thomas C Fisher
Hon Col Tage I Flint
Brig Gen (Ret) David R Fountain
BG (Ret) Bruce C Frandsen
BG (Ret) Melvin V Frandsen
Hon Col William C French
Brig Gen (Ret) Jake E Garn
Hon Col Mary Ann Garner
Hon Col Brian L Garrett
Hon Col Ron Greenleaf
Hon Col Myrna T Griffone
Hon Col David F Gunn*
Maj Gen (Ret) John M Hafen
Hon Col John L Hansen*
Hon Col Mark B Harrison
Brig Gen (Ret) Scott B Harrison
Hon Col Gary R Harter
Hon Col John K Haws
Brig Gen (Ret) Jon C Heaton
Hon Col Ronald E Henriksen
Governor Gary R Herbert
Hon Col Linda P Higgins
Hon Col Lynn S Higgins
Hon Col Paul W Hitzelberger
Brig Gen (Ret) David M Hooper
Governor Jon M Jr Huntsman
Hon Col Morty E Jenkins
Hon Col Arlo D Johnson
Hon Col Dennis F Johnson
Hon Col Fred P Lampropoulos
Hon Col Kurt L Larsen
Hon Col Missy Larsen
Governor Michael O Leavitt
BG (Ret) Michael R Liechty
Hon Col Richard K Linton
Hon Col David L Lucero
Brig Gen (Ret) Larry Lunt
Hon Col Dennis N McFall
MG (Ret) James M Miller
Hon Col Michael M Miller
Hon Col Nick Morgan
Brig Gen (Ret) David W Noall
Hon Col Michael J Norton
Hon Col Dave Osborne
BG (Ret) Phil O Peay
Hon Col Stewart O Peay
Hon Col Bill T Peters
Hon Col Don L Peterson
Hon Col Raymond Peterson
BG (Ret) Val L Peterson
Hon Col Sterling S Poulson
Hon Col Taft E Price
Hon Col Bruce J Reading
Hon Col Jason B Reading*
Hon Col Scott N Reading
Brig Gen (Ret) Lyle M Rich
Hon Col Lon R Jr Richardson
Hon Col Lynn V Ritchie
Hon Col Kim Robinson
Hon Col Weston R Saunders
Hon Col Antonio L Savoca
BG (UT) Larry Schmidt*
Hon Col Patrick A Shea
Hon Col Robert A Simmons
Hon Col James E Slade
Hon Col Stewart E Smith
BG (Ret) Tyler B Smith
Hon Col Paul B Swenson
MG (Ret) Brian L Tarbet
Hon Col Bruce W Thayne
Hon Col Reudiger Tillmann
Hon Col Steven K Tucker
MG Michael L Turley
Hon Col Ryan J Vogel
Hon Col Kenneth A Wade
Hon Col Kip Wadsworth
Hon Col M Walker Wallace
Hon Col Paul M Warner
Hon Col S Randy Watt
Hon Col R Kim Watts
Hon Col Gerald White
Hon Col Paul L Whitehead
Hon Col Edward M Willis
MG (Ret) Patrick D Wilson
Hon Col David M Winberg
Hon Col Brent E Winget
Hon Col Matt Wollam
Hon Col Andrew M Wood
Hon Col Richard Workman
Hon Col Wallace A Wright
Hon Col Dale O Zabriskie
Hon Col Andy Zweber


*Board Member

Emeritus Members:
Brig Gen (Ret) E. J. “Jake” Garn