The Arkansas Military Veterans' Hall of Fame will induct 12 additional veterans from across the state into the hall this year. U.S. Sen. John Boozman will present Hall of Fame medallions during a banquet Saturday in Little Rock.
Ten Inductees will be recognized for valor, and five inductees will be recognized for public service. Other honorees include:
Arkansas Military Veterans’
Hall of Fame
What: Induction banquet
When: Saturday
Where: Embassy Suites, Little Rock
Cost: $55 or table of 10 for $500
Information: (888) 329-03845, amvhof.org
• Maj. Gen. Thomas Blodgett Arwood, Hot Springs Village; U.S. Army, Vietnam, Desert Storm. Awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, 11 awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Parachutist and Air Assault Badges. He was inducted into the Army Quartermaster Hall of Fame in 2012.
• Maj. Charles Winfred Adkins Jr., Fayetteville; U.S. Army, Iraq. Awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, five awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, four awards of the Army Commendation Medal and the Master Parachutist Badge. He is senior vice commander for the Arkansas Military Order of the Purple Heart.
• Lt. Col. Dalton Harold Barnes, deceased, Alma; U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Awards include two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He established the Home of Hope, a residential care and counseling center in Alma.
• 1st Lt. Robert Scott Bell, Searcy; U.S. Army, Vietnam. Awards include two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal for valor and the Air Medal. He served 28 years as a veterans counselor for the Arkansas Employment Security Division and raised funds for the U.S. Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
• Capt. Ora Lee Boss, deceased, Green Forest and Fayetteville; U. S. Army, Vietnam. Awards include the Silver Star Medal for gallantry, two awards of the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Air Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and Expert Infantryman Badge.
• Staff Sgt. Waldo Gerald Fisher, Van Buren; U.S. Army, Vietnam. Awards include the Silver Star Medal for bravery, the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He received the Vietnam Veterans of America National Commendation medal and has served 14 years as president of Chapter 416 of the Vietnam Veterans of America in Fort Smith.
• Master Sgt. Thomas Keith Graves, Harrisburg; U.S. Air Force, Vietnam. Awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Commendation medal and 11 awards of the Air Medal.
• Pfc. Edmund J. Kapica, Hot Springs; U.S. Army, World War II, D-Day at Omaha Beach. Awards include Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two battle stars. Also the Order of the Legion of Honor (France).
• 1st Lt. Michael John McCarty, Bald Knob; U.S. Army, Iraq. Awards include the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action, the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the Bronze Star Medal for exceptionally meritorious combat achievement and the Purple Heart Medal.
• Maj. Gen. Bobby Brummit Porter, Walnut Ridge, deceased; U.S. Army, two combat tours in Vietnam. Awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals for valor, Purple Heart Medal and 25 awards of the Air Medal. He made more than 100 military parachute jumps and commanded the 82nd Airborne Division.
• Capt. John Fredric Vanlandingham, Mount Judea; U.S. Army, Bosnia and Iraq. Awards include the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action, the Meritorious Service Medal, two awards of the Army Commendation Medal,and three awards of the Army Achievement Medal.
• Capt. John Robert Young, Mena; U.S. Navy, Vietnam. Awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, two awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, three awards of the Navy Commendation Medal for valor. He commanded American Legion Post 18 in Mena for 12 years, and was the Mena/Polk County Citizen of the Year.
NAN Our Town on 11/03/2016