Ridgefield Resident Among Seven Commissioned As Second Lieutenants At Ceremony

RIDGEFIELD, CT — A Ridgefield resident was among seven Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets commissioned as Second Lieutenants during a joint Air Force and Army ceremony at Clemson University this week.

The commissioning ceremony was held Dec. 17 in Tillman Auditorium. Four cadets received commissions in the U.S. Air Force, one entered the U.S. Space Force and two were commissioned into the U.S. Army, according to the university.

Among those commissioned was Spencer W. Carlson of Ridgefield, who earned a Second Lieutenant commission in the U.S. Air Force. Carlson is majoring in mechanical engineering.

Following the ceremony, the newly commissioned officers were set to participate in a Silver Dollar Salute at Clemson’s Military Heritage Plaza. The tradition marks the first salute an officer receives from an enlisted service member, symbolizing mutual respect. As part of the custom, the officer presents the enlisted member with a silver dollar.

The other cadets commissioned into the U.S. Air Force were Andrew B. Fey of Fort Mill, South Carolina, a computer science major; Joseph G. Gentry of Columbia, South Carolina, a mechanical engineering major; and Cooper M. Todt of Bluffton, South Carolina, a civil engineering major.
David A. Burns of Columbia, South Carolina, a computer engineering major, was commissioned into the U.S. Space Force.

The U.S. Army commissions were awarded to Griffin A. Johnson of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, an accounting major, and Wilson A. Monroe of Blythewood, South Carolina, a financial management major.

University officials said the ceremony marked the cadets’ transition from students to commissioned officers as they begin their military careers.