APSU Governors Military Hall of Fame announces Class of 2026

By: Emily Evans October 23, 2026

Inductees into the APSU Governors Military Hall of Fame Class of 2026, clockwise from top left: Col. (Ret.) John A. Brunt, Col. (Ret.) Troy Douglas, Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Ret.) Charles King, Maj. Jacquelyn M. Messenger, Master Sgt. (Ret.) Joel C. Pruitt, and Col. (Ret.) Thomas F. Washer II.

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Austin Peay State University has announced six inductees into the APSU Governors Military Hall of Fame Class of 2026, to be honored during a reception and induction dinner on Friday, Nov. 6 in the Morgan University Center Ballroom.

The Governors Military Hall of Fame was established in 2022 and is housed in the William E. & Sadako S. Newton Military Family Resource Center, Tennessee’s largest military student center. It recognizes members of the APSU community who have served in the military with records of extraordinary service or sacrifice, or who have demonstrated dedicated support to the United States military and veterans.

"Throughout our nearly 100-year history, the military community has helped shape who we are as a university," APSU President Mike Licari said. "This class reflects that legacy. Some came to Austin Peay after enlisting, others earned their commissions through our ROTC program, and together they have led soldiers in combat, flown special operations missions, built the networks that keep our forces connected, cared for wounded service members, and mentored the next generation of leaders. Many continue to serve veterans and military families today. It is an honor to serve this community and a privilege to recognize these distinguished alumni, whose service reflects the very best of Austin Peay."

The members of the fifth class of the Governors Military Hall of Fame include:

Colonel (Ret.) John A. Brunt (’83)

Col. John A. Brunt rose from enlisted soldier to colonel over a more than 30-year Army career. The Senatobia, Mississippi, native enlisted in 1975 and reached the rank of sergeant before enrolling at Austin Peay, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1983 as a Distinguished Military Graduate of the ROTC program. He served in the active-duty Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve during three wars, including command of a signal company during Operation Desert Storm. His decorations include the Bronze Star Medal. He later led the Senatobia Housing Authority and has supported the APSU Military Alumni Chapter since its inception.

Colonel (Ret.) Troy Douglas (’90)

Col. Troy Douglas was commissioned through Austin Peay’s ROTC program as an Air Defense Artillery officer and went on to a three-decade career in Army communications and leadership. After deploying for Operation Desert Storm, he transferred to the Signal Corps and served in Saudi Arabia, East Timor, Iraq, and with U.S. Special Operations Command South. He commanded the 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion and the 3rd Brigade, U.S. Army Cadet Command, and concluded his career as assistant commandant of the U.S. Army Signal School. His decorations include two Legion of Merit awards and three Bronze Star Medals.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 (Ret.) Charles King (’00)

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Charles King served 25 years as an Army aviator, including more than 17 years flying the MH-60 with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). He deployed to Southwest Asia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. As a safety officer at the battalion, regiment, and U.S. Army Special Operations Command levels, he became the command’s expert on special operations aviation safety. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit, and four Air Medals. King earned a bachelor’s degree in public management from Austin Peay in 2000 and later supported the military with a major defense contractor.

Major Jacquelyn M. Messenger (’09)

Maj. Jacquelyn M. Messenger enlisted in 1999 as a medical laboratory technician and deployed three times with the 86th Combat Support Hospital, including to Baghdad, where she earned a Green-to-Gold scholarship to Austin Peay. After graduating in 2009 as a Distinguished Military Graduate, she was commissioned into the Medical Service Corps, commanded the 153rd Medical Detachment (Blood Support) during a deployment to Afghanistan, and earned a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology. She now serves as chief of blood services at Brooke Army Medical Center, the Department of Defense’s only Level I trauma center. Her decorations include the Bronze Star Medal.

Master Sergeant (Ret.) Joel C. Pruitt (’17)

Master Sgt. Joel C. Pruitt enlisted in the Army in 1985 and spent most of his career with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). After completing the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1992, he deployed to Somalia, Iraq, and seven other countries. He completed five combat tours in Iraq and led Operational Detachment Alpha 5432 in combat as its team sergeant. His decorations include five Bronze Star Medals. A 2017 Austin Peay graduate, Pruitt now directs the 5th Special Forces Group’s Pivot transition program. As president of Special Forces Association Chapter 38, he has helped distribute more than $2 million to soldiers, veterans, and families.

Colonel (Ret.) Thomas F. Washer II (’86)

Col. Thomas F. Washer II was commissioned through Austin Peay’s ROTC program as a Signal Corps officer in 1986 and served 24 years on active duty. With the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), he deployed for Operation Desert Storm and later commanded a signal company. During Operation Iraqi Freedom I, he commanded a 500-soldier battalion providing communications for the multinational headquarters in Baghdad. He also served in Germany, Australia, and with NATO in Belgium, and later directed training at the U.S. Army Signal Center. His decorations include the Legion of Merit and two Bronze Star Medals.

Celebrating the Inductees

The Military Hall of Fame and Military Alumni Chapter Scholarship Dinner will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, in the APSU Morgan University Center Ballroom, followed by a 6 p.m. induction dinner. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at www.alumni.apsu.edu/halloffame26. The Class of 2026 honorees will also be recognized at the Governors football game against Eastern Kentucky on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Fortera Stadium.

"These six inductees answered the call across decades of conflict, from Somalia and Desert Storm to Iraq and Afghanistan," said retired Army Maj. Gen. Walt Lord, APSU's vice president for Military and Veterans Affairs. "They led with courage and integrity wherever the mission took them, and we are honored to add their names to our Hall of Fame."

To learn about the APSU Governors Military Hall of Fame and past honorees, visit www.alumni.apsu.edu/govsmilitaryhalloffame. For questions about the Military Hall of Fame reception and induction dinner, contact the Office of Alumni and Engagement at 931-221-7979 or alumni@apsu.edu.