CSM William D. McNaughton
Command Sergeant Major William D. McNaughton was born on February 8, 1934. He enlisted in the Army in 1953 and served with the Headquarters Detachment, 82d Airborne Division until his discharge in 1956. He enlisted in the Rhode Island Army National Guard in 1962. He first served with the 103d Field Artillery. When Company D, 16th Special Forces Group (Airborne) was activated in the RIARNG, Bill saw the opportunity to join an airborne unit and transferred. He would become the first Special Forces Sergeant Major in the RI Guard. As the Special Forces structure evolved, he became the Command Sergeant Major of HHD, 6th Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne), RIARNG.
Bill would go on to become the CSM of the Rhode Island Military Academy, the 43d Military Police Brigade and eventually the CSM, RIARNG. Among his many awards and decorations were the Legion of Merit, the Rhode Island Star, the Special Forces Tab, The Master Parachutist Badge and the Pathfinder Badge.
He was a life member of Chapter 48; Special Forces Association and was a past president. A guard of honor from Chapter 48, Special Forces Association stood at his coffin during his wake and Special Forces soldiers served as pallbearers. He was laid to rest in the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery with his beloved wife Jane.