On Sunday, Nov. 3, Col. Clifford Silsby, Col. Edward Sykes and 1SG Darrel Haeffele were inducted into the Kansas National Guard Hall of Fame at the Nickell Armory at Topeka. Col. Silsby, son of Boyd and Donna Silsby, graduated from Mankato High School.
Col. Clifford M. Silsby was born July 19, 1952, in Concordia, Kansas. He enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard after high school graduation in February, 1970. He completed basic and advanced individual training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. He started his military career as an engineer equipment operator with the 891st Engineer Battalion and 891st Engineer Company at Mankato, followed by assignments with the 170th Maintenance Company. During the period of 1984 to 1992, he held many positions as a Company Grade Officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Company 891st Engineer Battalion in Iola, Kansas. He quickly rose through the ranks reaching Lieutenant Colonel in 1996 while assigned to the 69th Troop command holding several positions. Silsby was Commander-Regional Training Institute Executive Officer, 2nd Battalion 235th Regiment, Salina 2000 to 2004. From June 2005 to June 2012, Col. Silsby was assigned to Operation Enduring Freedom Active Duty, as Officer in Charge. Special Collections Officer and Director of Installations at Joint Forces Headquarters. Col. Silsby retired in July 2012.
During Col. Silsby's career, he received numerous awards and decorations, most notably: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with four Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, plus multiple others. In addition, he received the Kansas National Guard Medal of Excellence and has been inducted into the Kansas Army National Guard Officers Candidate School Hall of Fame, and is the recipient of several additional special honors.
Over the course of his military career, Col. Silsby completed more than 20 schools and courses. He also has a bachelor of science in organizational management and business, Friends University, Wichita, and a masters of strategic studies, United States Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
A few of his special military service accomplishments are: Kansas member and manager - US Army Installations Sustainment and Maintenance Program (ISM), RETRO Europe Maintenance Program, co-author- Kansas Advanced Turbine Engine Program, and Chairman (2008-2009) and member of the National Guard Bureau (2006-2009).
In addition to Col. Silsby's outstanding military career, he also volunteered with multiple organizations. He served as chairman of the Jewell County Industrial Development Association, was a volunteer firefighter in Mankato, is a life member of NGUAS NGAKS and the Museum of the Kansas National Guard. He supports the Kansas Antique Steam Show Safety Association holding several board positions plus many others.
He is married to Susan Silsby. They have five children: Krista (Ben) Ruthstrum, Angela (Timothy) Brown, Elizabeth (Andrew) Stratman, Jennifer SiIlsby and SFC James (Karla) Silsby, and 10 grandchildren.
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