State Rep. Monty Fritts, R-Kingston, State Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, and State Rep. Jody Barrett, R-Dickson, recently recognized a Tennessee National Guard tank crew with a proclamation honoring their first-place finish at the highly coveted 2024 Sullivan Cup competition.
The Sullivan Cup is awarded to the world’s best M1 Abrams tank and Bradley crews based on maneuvering, sustainment and gunnery skills. On Oct. 27, the legislators honored tank commander Staff Sergeant David Riddick, Sergeant Joshua Owen, Specialist Noah Eddings, and Specialist Seth Carter of Ashland City’s Troop B, 1st Squadron, 278th Armored Calvary Regiment for being named the top tank crew in the world.
“I congratulate these highly skilled warriors on winning the prestigious Sullivan Cup and holding high the Tennessee Cavalryman tradition,” Fritts said. “Becoming the world’s top tank crew is an extremely impressive accomplishment and these soldiers put in hard work, discipline, and teamwork. They went above and beyond the call of duty, and I’m proud they call Tennessee home. I thank them for being shining examples of what it means to live out the Army Values and demonstrate the ‘I volunteer, Sir’ spirit of a real Tennessee Volunteer.”
The soldiers were the only National Guard unit in the competition and beat ten active duty tank teams from the U.S. Army, U.S. Marines, and foreign allies.
“I’m extremely proud of these exemplary soldiers for working hard to win the Sullivan Cup,” Littleton said. “Everyone who puts on the uniform of the United States deserves our honor and respect, and I commend these soldiers for their dedication and commitment to serving our nation. They make Cheatham County and all of Tennessee proud.”
The biennial Sullivan Cup competition took place from April 29 to May 3 in Fort Moore, Georgia. The 278th crew will hold the title until the next Sullivan Cup in 2026.
“The Sullivan Cup is an intense competition and I congratulate the 278th crew for their exceptional performance,” Barrett said. “They trained hard and it was evident in May when they earned the world’s best tank crew title. Their patriotism and volunteer spirit should be an example to the rest of us, and I thank them for their service to our state and nation.”
State Rep. Monty Fritts represents House District 32, which includes part of Loudon and Roane counties. State Rep. Mary Littleton represents House District 78, which includes Cheatham and part of Dickson counties. State Rep. Jody Barrett represents House District 69, which includes Hickman, Lewis and part of Dickson counties.
