Of course, the WP Times salutes and thanks all of our Grand County Veterans & Military Service members. But, especially on August 7 when the Nation Celebrates Purple Heart Day.

Recently the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame announced their selection of Grand County’s Bill Hamilton, who earned his Purple Heart in 1968 in Vietnam with the 1st Air Cavalry Division.

Military service: After graduating from the University of Oklahoma, he served 20 years on active duty as an infantry officer; however, he also saw two years of duty with the U.S. Air Force (19th Air Force and the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing), and spent a year at the U.S. Naval War College where he was named a Distinguished Graduate.

While on active duty, he commanded: mechanized infantry, airborne, and armored cavalry units. Half of his career was spent overseas in West Germany and Vietnam, to include temporary assignments in Turkey, Greece, South Korea, and Norway. In 2010, he was honored by the Wounded Warrior Foundation.

Granby resident, William “Bill” A. Hamilton retired from the U.S. Army in 1978. During his military service, he earned the following awards: the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Stars (4), Purple Heart, Air Medals (20), Army Commendation Medal with “V,” U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal, Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, and Master Parachutist Badge. In 2008, he was named to the University of Oklahoma Army R.O.T.C. Wall of Fame. In 2018, he was selected for the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame.

Winter Park Times salutes Bill and all of past, present, and future military members.