Pipes, Precision, and Prestige: The 2026 Logan Duffy Annual Rifle Match

WEST POINT, N.Y. — Twelve National Guard Soldiers representing New York and Massachusetts took to the firing line at the United States Military Academy at West Point on Sept. 18, 2026, for the annual Logan Duffy Rifle Match.

The Massachusetts Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry Regiment won this year’s match, returning the coveted five-gallon silver Logan Duffy Cup to Massachusetts after a day of friendly marksmanship competition against the New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment.

Both battalions are famous for being created originally as militia units full of Irish immigrants.

The annual event dates back to June 1936 during the 75th anniversary celebration of what was then the 101st Infantry—the predecessor of the 182nd. Col. Francis Logan of the 101st proposed an annual rifle match to Col. Alexander Anderson, the commander of New York’s 165th Infantry—the designation given to the 69th Infantry during World War I—to foster marksmanship and camaraderie.

The match—and the trophy—is named for Brig. Gen. Lawrence Logan and Brig. Gen. Edward Duffy, who commanded the two regiments during the Spanish-American War. Logan commanded the Massachusetts unit, while Duffy led the 69th Infantry.

Individual honors were split evenly between both states, with Sgt. 1st Class Sonny Rodriguez of the 182nd Infantry earning the top shot award for Massachusetts. Meanwhile, Sgt. Peter Pena of the 69th Infantry claimed the top shot honor for New York. Both marksmen were recognized during an evening awards banquet at the West Point Club.

The competition tested foundational shooting skills without modern optical sights. The Soldiers fired standard-issue M4 carbines equipped only with iron sights. The six-man squads engaged targets from 200 yards in the prone, standing, and sitting positions.

To ensure an authentic test of individual marksmanship, team captains restricted coaching on the firing line. Each squad was permitted a single spotting scope, which was reserved exclusively for rare instances when a shot fell significantly off-target.

The day began with traditional military pomp. The battalion commanders marched onto the range accompanied by bagpipes. New York’s Lt. Col. Andrew Prior and Massachusetts’ Lt. Col. Michael Lutkevich then took positions on the firing line together to discharge ceremonial first shots downrange, officially launching the contest.

Col. Mathew Kilgore, commander of the Troy-based 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, delivered opening remarks highlighting the match's storied lineage and noting his personal history and ties to the Military Academy.

Staff Sgt. Michael Ammirati, team captain for the 69th Infantry, said his role was focused on coordination and enforcing range rules. Establishing clear limits on shooter assistance ensured the competition remained fair, disciplined, and focused entirely on basic marksmanship mechanics, Ammirati said.

Massachusetts team captain Sgt. John Field said his squad entered the contest with high expectations and a focused drive. He added that after dedicating considerable time to practice, his Soldiers felt the cup belonged in Massachusetts and were determined to bring it home.

Field noted that taking the time to study the history behind the match gave the team added motivation.

Spc. Chase Tomlinson, an infantryman with the 182nd, agreed. Learning the heritage of the rivalry significantly strengthened his sense of esprit de corps, Tomlinson said.

Spc. Matthew Pilotte, a member of the 182nd, said he was proud of the collective dedication of his teammates. He added that watching the squad train together demonstrated the exceptional competence of everyone involved.

Staff Sgt. Tristan Manchester, who served as co-captain, said he was impressed by how smoothly the team adapted to shifting practice schedules and timelines.

The 69th Infantry hosted the evening reception and awards ceremony at the West Point Club overlooking the Hudson River.

The relationship between the 69th Infantry and the 182nd Infantry began during the Civil War, according to Capt. Joseph Alleva, the assistant operations officer for the 69th. In July of 1861, the commander of the 69th, Col. Michael Corcoran, paid a visit to Col. Thomas Cass, the commander of what was then the 9th Massachusetts Regiment at nearby Fort Cass.

A 1936 agreement drawn up by the regimental commanders at the time specifies that the silver bowl and matching tray that serve as the trophy are owned by both units. But the document also specifies that the bowl is held by the winner of the last shooting match.

The inaugural match was held on Oct. 12, 1936, at Camp Curtis Guild in Reading, Massachusetts, with the 101st claiming the first victory. In 1937, the 69th Infantry won the trophy.

The competition was suspended in 1940 when both units were mobilized and went on to fight in World War II. The matches were reinstated in 1958 and ran until 1996 when the 101st was merged into the 1st Battalion, 182nd Infantry. The matches were reinstated and then halted again after Sept. 11, 2001, when both battalions went to war again. The competition resumed, uninterrupted, in 2010.

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