Captain David L. Payne Camp Commanders Past and Present

Background tune "Greencockade"

Commander Jim Trent 2005 to Present with Past National Commander Stephen Michaels

Commander Phil Bevers 2004 to 2005

Commander John Williams
2002-2004

Commander Mahlon Erickson
1997-1999, 2001-2002

Commander Walt Cross
1999-2000

Commander John Irons
2000-2001

Commander Jim Trent

Jim Trent has been a member of the Captain David L. Payne Camp for several years and is authorized to wear the Camp Commander Badge. Before his unanimous election in January of 2005, Commander Trent served as the camp's senior vice commander. During his tenure Commander Trent has emphasized participation in historical events and community historical celebrations. Jim was reelected in January of 2006. Jim is working to form a department wide Civil War education team made up of Oklahoma Department members.

Past Commander Phil Bevers

Phil Bevers is a founding member of the Captain David L. Payne Camp. Phil was appointed commander of the guard with the rank of captain in August of 1998 and has been the only commander of Payne's Rifles. He has served as a camp officer in many positions. He is authorized to wear the Past Camp Commander Badge and the Military Service Badge as well as the Captain David L. Payne Meritorious Service Ribbon.

Past Commander Mahlon Erickson

Mahlon is the founding commander for the camp. He was appointed camp organizer and then elected the first camp commander in January of 1997. He was reelected for a second term and served to January 1999 as camp commander. He was elected for the 2001-2002 term. During his initial tour as commander, the camp earned the "Warner" award from the Southwest Department. He is authorized to wear the Past Commander's Badge alongside his Membership Badge as well as the Captain David L. Payne Mertiorious Service Ribbon awarded for his service as graves registration officer. He is also authorized to wear the Past Department Commander badge. He currently serves as camp graves registration officer. In May 2002 he was elected the founding Department Commander of the newly created Oklahoma Department. In 2003 two recruiting awards designated the "gold" and "silver" "Erickson Awards" were inaugurated for excellence in recruiting. Fittingly, PDC Erickson's home camp, the Captain David L. Payne Camp 2 received the first two ribbons of the "Erickson Award".

Past Commander Walt Cross

A founding member of the camp, Walt served initially as the Senior Vice Commander from January 1997 to January 1999. He was elected camp commander for the 1999 to 2000 term. During his tour as commander the camp garnered both the "Warner" award as well as the "Cunningham" award from Southwest Department. He currently serves as the camp's adjutant. He is authorized to wear the Past Commander Badge, the War Service Medal, and the Membership Badge. Walt is also a founding member of the Texas Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. In January of 2004 Walt received two awards of the Captain David L. Payne Meritorious Service Ribbon for his service as Camp Adjutant and Editor, Route Step. Walt has served as the Department Secretary of the Oklahoma Department for the last three years. He was presented the Oklahoma Department "Certificate of Appreciation" in May of 2004 by Past Department Commander Carl Fallen.

Past Commander John Irons

John is a founding member of the camp and served at the senior vice commander during the 1999-2000 term, for which he received the Captain David L. Payne Meritorious Service Ribbon. John was elected camp commander for the January 2000-2001 term. During his tenure as commander two other Oklahoma SUVCW camps spun off from the Captain Payne Camp. John currently serves as the camp's treasurer. In addition to the CDLP-MSR he is authorized to wear the Past commander Badge, War Service Medal, and Membership Badge and Oak Leaf Cluster to the Captain David L. Payne Meritorious Service Ribbon. In May of 2004 John was elected the third Department Commander of the Oklahoma Department, SUVCW. John was presented the Oklahoma Department "Certificate of Appreciation" in May of 2004 by Past Department Commander Carl Fallen for his service as Senior Vice Commander.

Past Commander John Williams

John Williams has been a member of the camp for several years and served as the Senior Vice Commander during 2001. He was unanimously elected in January 2002. He is a military veteran and is authorized to wear the Past Camp Commander Badge and the War Service Medal. During his tenure the camp earned the inaugural gold "Erickson Award" for the most new members recruited in a calendar year by any Oklahoma Department camp, and the silver "Erickson Award" for the highest increase in strength percentage by any Oklahoma Department camp for the year of 2003. He was presented the Oklahoma Department "Certificate of Appreciation" in May of 2004 by Past Department Commander Carl Fallen for his service as Department Organizer.