15 set for induction into the Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame

The Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame (AMVHOF) has named 15 Arkansas Veterans to its 2019 class, with three from Fort Smith. Ten Inductees will be recognized for valor and five inductees will be recognized for public service.

Inductees of the ninth class for the AMVHOF will be recognized a banquet ceremony at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock, 6 p.m., on Nov. 2. U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., is scheduled to attend and present Hall of Fame medallions to the inductees who are present.

Past inductees include Col. William O. Darby Jr., the first leader of the 1st Ranger Battalion during World War II; U.S. Sen. Dale Bumpers, D-Ark.; and former Arkansas Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller. The AMVHOF was formed in 2011.

Induction banquet tickets $55, and a table of 10 is $500. The reserve tickets contact Arkansas Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame at (501) 902-9706.

Following are the inductees in the 2019 class.

• Chief Warrant Officer W-3 Robert Allen Johnson, Fort Smith, United States Army
Served two combat tours in Vietnam. Awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and twenty-four Air Medals, one with “V” device.

• Captain John Howard Yancey, (deceased), United States Marine Corps Reserve
Served two combat tours, one in World War II and one in Korea. His awards include two Navy Crosses, the Bronze Star Medal and two Purple Heart Medals.

• Private First Class James R. Glidewell, (deceased), United States Army
Served in World War II and was killed in action, Luzon Island, the Philippines. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.

• Colonel Jerrell Everett Hamby (deceased), United States Army
Served three combat tours. One tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. His awards include the Silver Star Medal, three Bronze Star Medals, one with “V” device, five Purple Heart Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, eleven Air Medals, one with “V” device and the Army Commendation Medal.

• Lieutenant Colonel Billy Bert Dooly, Fort Smith, United States Army
Served two combat tours in Vietnam. His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Bronze Star Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

• Major James Edward Mason, III, Searcy, United States Army National Guard
Served a combat tour in Vietnam. His awards include two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, two Air Medals, one with “V” device and the Army Commendation Medal.

• Major Kenneth Earl Zellmer, Sherwood, United States Air Force
Served one combat tour in Vietnam. His awards include two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Meritorious Service Medal, nineteen Air Medals, the Joint Services Commendation Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

• Captain Tollie Adkins, Jr., Fort Smith, United States Army National Guard
Served one combat tour in Vietnam. Awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart and seven Air Medals.

• Technical Sergeant 3d Grade Delbert Edwin Rogers (deceased), United States Army
Served in World War II, combat in Philippine Islands. Awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star and the Bronze Star.

• Colonel William Arthur Kehler, North Little Rock, United States Air Force
Served a combat tour in Vietnam. His awards include two Legion of Merit Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Meritorious Service Medals and twelve Air Medals.

• Major James Edward Largent, Paragould, United States Army Reserves
Awards include three Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals and two Army Achievement Medals.

• Captain Carmie Lyn Henry, Little Rock, United States Navy Reserves
Served a combat tour in Vietnam. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal and nine Air Medals.

• Lieutenant Colonel Artis Tee Lofton, Sr., North Little Rock, United States Army
His awards include Four Meritious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals and the Army Achievement Medal.

• Colonel Donald Harrison Stokes, Jr. Hot Springs Village, United States Air Force
His awards include the Legion of Merit, eight Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

• Lieutenant Colonel David Arnold Harrington, Maumelle, United States Army
Served two combat tours in Vietnam. His awards include two Bronze Star Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal, nine awards of the Air Medal and two Army Commendation Medals.