The great-grandson of a Plato woman has been appointed to the U.S. Marines’ Marching 24 Silent Drill Platoon.
Daniel Linebaugh was selected to a 24-man rifle platoon that performs unique precision drill exhibition. He is the great-grandson of Areita Uphoff.
He was born and raised in Sweetwater, Texas, and attended high school there before graduating Premier High School of Abilene in 2014.
The Marines execute a series of calculated drill movements and precise handing of their hand-polished, 10 1/2-pound, M1 Garand rifles with fixed bayonets. The routine concludes with a unique rifle inspection sequence demonstrating elaborate rifle spins and tosses — all without a single verbal command ever being spoken.
Members of the platoon are assigned to Marine Barracks Washington to serve a two-year ceremonial tour, and he and his family will reside there. Beyond the ceremonial duties, these Marines collaterally train in the field as infantryman. Throughout the year, the platoon performs in Washington and at events throughout the country and beyond.
Most recently, Linebaugh performed at the Invictus Games in Orlando. Memorial Day saw them at Madison Square Garden and the 9/11 Memorial.