HARDEE COUNTY HOMETOWN HEREOS

Lieutenant Charles C. Dickey Jr served for the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict era. Dickey was commissioned in the infantry upon graduation in 1965 from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY. He completed airborne and ranger training, and he earned his private pilot’s license, jumpmaster status, company executive officer, and returned to west point to train cadets at Camp Buckner. Upon arriving in Vietnam, they assigned him to be a recon platoon leader. He was killed in action by enemy fire in March of 1967 while in Tay Ninh province on operation Junction City. After his passing, they awarded him the Bronze Star Medal for outstanding service in Vietnam, and he was also the recipient of the Purple Heart. He led a life of dedication and pride when it came to servicing his beloved nation.  

Former Captain of the U.S Army Air Corps, Merle L. Albritton served between the years of 1940-
1946 during WWII. Captain Albritton flew 52 missions in the European Theater – one of these
missions included a second raid over Ploesti in which he lost three out four of his engines. He
piloted B-24 a Liberator Bomber and did not lose a single member of his crew made up of 11 men.

Staff Sergeant Donald Gray served for the U.S. Army during the Vietnam conflict. He was stationed in Central Highlands in South Vietnam.

 Edward Hager, a hero to his wife and kids, died in the line of duty. He was an SPC who served for the U.S. Army and held several medals such as:

• Army Commendation
• Army Achievement
• Iraq Campaign Medal
• Combat Infantry Badge
• Parachutist Badge

Sergeant Doc Robert Helveston served for the U.S Marines during the Vietnam Conflict as a wireman. He used his GI Bill to earn a degree, which he used to serve Hardee County as a Chiropractor.

Janet Jackson was PVT for the U.S. Army. Jackson held a medal for National Defense Svc. She served from 1974 to 1975 as a MOS 71Q20 information specialist and served as an Assistant Editor of ARMOR Magazine. Fort Knox, KY.

Donnie McGowin a SP 4 served during the Vietnam conflict and earned three medals such as the National Defense Svc, Sharpshooter M-14, and 2^nd Missile Man during his time in the US Army.

Joseph Bert Milligan served during WWII as a U.S. Army Corp. He fought in the 127th Army Battalion in the 3rd Army command by General George Patton.

His more notable battles include:

• Battle of Bulge in Belgium  
• Ardennes in Central Europe
• Normandy
• Omaha Beach

Staff Sergeant Thurman Moye was stationed in England during WWII. While he was there he met Audrey Shaw his war bride who came into the U.S in 1946.

Shannon Newman is a U.S Air force Veteran who was active during the Global war on terror era. He was stationed in Yokota, an airbase in Japan, where he worked in Air Transport as a special handler. He also traveled to New Zealand to work on Operation Deep Freeze where they would aid in the transportation of scientists and their equipment. He was also involved in operation  Cobra Gold where they got Marines out of the jungle in order to fly them back home.

Sergeant Roy H. Petteway from the U.S Army, served in the 85^th Calvary, Reconn Squadron, 8^th Armored Division and received a Purple Heart. While in the liberation of Luxembourg, he was fatally shot patrolling the perimeter of the city.

Private First Class Frederick Dale Rickels was enlisted into the Marines in March 16, 1967. He was assigned to a 3^rd combined action group – 3^rd Marine Division. He participated in three major campaigns near the North-South Vietnam border. He was killed in action in May 12, 1968 in the Thur Thien Province of south Vietnam.

Private First Class Clarence Rickels, served his time in the Army at the same time WWI was occurring. He belonged to Company “C”, 166^th infantry, 42^nd “Rainbow” Division. He participated in campaigns such as:

1. Mihiel
2. Meuse-Argonne
3. Aisne-Maarne
4. Chateru-Thierry
5. Defesive Sector Campaigns

Rickels was wounded at Chateau-Thierry in July 29, 1918 and later returned to the U.S in April, 1919 where a month later he was honorably discharged. 

Sergeant Wilbur Robertson, served in the Marines during 1952-1960.

Gilbert Rouse, a U.S Navy WT3 served on the Destroyer Escort, USS Earl V. Johnson in the sea around North Africa during WWII.

Brian Samuels served in the US Army for eight years, during this time the Persian Gulf War was going on. Samuels was awarded with an Army Service Ribbon and the title of Rifle M-16 (Expert).

Kurt Shackelford served during the Persian Gulf War era. He was a part of the U.S Army and held a CPL rank.

Shackelford holds medals such as:

1. SW Asia Service Medal
2. Natl Defense SVS Medal
3. Army Achievement Medal
4. Oversea SVC Ribbon

Captain Roy E. Shaw Jr served during the Vietnam war for the U.S Army. Captain Shaw was an Infantry Unit Commander. He served with the 198^th Light Infantry Brigade, 1^st Battalion, 6^th Infantry, B company.

He was on his 3^rd tour of duty when he experienced a traumatic event which resulted in the loss of his life on December 6, 1970. He died because of an explosive device in South Vietnam, Quang Ngai Province.

Lee Sperry served in the U.S Navy for 21, he was active during the Global War on Terror era.

Sperry has several awards which include

1. 3 Navy Commendation Medals
2. 3 Navy Achievement Medals
3. 1 Army Achievement
4. 1 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Sperry was also responsible for several commands throughout his career which include:

1. USS George Washington (CVN 73)
2. SIMA Mayport
3. Camp Bucca, Iraq Naval Provisional Detainee Batalion 2
4. USS Klakring (FFG 42)
5. NPTU Charleston
6. USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)
7. NPTU Ballston Spa

Chief Arthur L. Stanton served the U.S Navy during WWII. He went missing when his submarine struck a mine off the northern coast of Honshu Japan during a combat patrol which killed Stanton and the other 84 crew members. Chief Stanton received a Sliver Star and Purple Heart

Virgil Weed is a retired Marine who served during the Korean War.

Herger Williams was the first boy in Wauchula to give his life in France. He died from wounds suffered in action and was buried at Lemogne Heights on the Marne River in France. His remains were returned home in the spring of 1921, and he was buried in Oak Grove cemetery with full military honors. (Page 114 – Watch Wauchula Win by Margaret Stringer)

PFC Bobby Zebendon was a Marine who served during the Korean War Era and received a medal for National Defense.

Staff Sergeant Eric Baker holds a Purple Heart and a Bronze star for his brave work during their time in the U.S Army. They held the position of military police and served during Operation Iraqi Freedom.