From Olympic boxing to constructing a final legacy within the U.S. Army, Fort Benning, Georgia’s late Command Sgt. Maj. Edward “Eddie” Criminal Jr., is now immortal.
The bottom’s new Criminal Soldier Efficiency Readiness Middle formally bears the identify of the African-American Olympic boxing champion turned adorned fight veteran. He had a 30 12 months U.S. Army profession, after his first profession as a Golden Glove champion, rising to earn a gold medal alongside his teammate Muhammad Ali on the 1960 Olympics in Rome.
“For anybody who has a dream however feels that they might be too previous or that their second has handed, let me go away you with [Crook’s] phrases: ‘You could imagine you are able to do it,’” stated Terri Criminal, daughter of the honoree, in remarks on the middle’s dedication obtained by Navy.com. “That perception is how he gained an Olympic gold medal at 31 years of age, how he led and guarded his troops in Vietnam, and the way he lived each single day.”
The Criminal Soldier Efficiency Readiness Middle was devoted on February 27, 2026 in a ceremony attended by Fort Benning Army leaders, group members, and the Criminal household. The middle will function the hub for the Army base’s Holistic Well being and Health, or H2F, system. H2F is the Army’s official program of document for well being and health, and supplies complete bodily, psychological, dietary, religious and sleep assist.
“This constructing is way over brick, mortar, and state-of-the-art fitness center gear,” stated Col. Christopher Hallows, 197th Infantry Brigade commander, in a press release to Navy.com. “That is the brand new coronary heart of Soldier readiness on Sand Hill.”
As a part of the dedication, two larger-than-life pictures of Criminal have been unveiled within the middle’s foyer. Each present him smiling in his Army fatigues. His daughter Terry says the photographs present how thrilled and honored Criminal was to serve, whereas the picture caption reads “this middle connects [Crook’s] private legacy of resilience and elite athleticism to constructing’s fashionable mission: getting ready Troopers for the pains of fight.”
After his Olympic victory in 1960, Criminal joined the Army, serving two fight excursions in Vietnam, incomes a Silver Star, a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. He additionally continued his love of sports activities, as a quarterback for an Army soccer staff that gained a championship title and earned Criminal essentially the most precious participant award.
In line with the web site Olympics.com, “Criminal was barely examined at Rome. He knocked out three of his first 4 opponents, earlier than profitable a 3-1-1 choice within the finals over Tadeusz Walasek of Poland.”
Within the Army, Criminal was a dedicated mentor who based the ‘People who smoke’ boxing program at Fort Benning, to coach and assist choose future Olympians. A graduate of Troy State College in Troy, Alabama, Criminal was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Included. He died on July 25, 2005, however is remembered by the lives his touched.
“His legacy will watch over each future Soldier who trains right here,” Col. Hallows stated in his assertion to Navy.com. “Their coaching on the Criminal Soldier Efficiency Readiness Middle will push them to be stronger, to be higher, and to be prepared.”
