Three alumni named to Veterans’ HOF
Article By: Denise Ray
Three University of North Georgia (UNG) alumni will be inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame (GMVHOF) Nov. 4 in Columbus, Georgia. Twenty-two alumni are now among the 177 inductees in the Hall of Fame's 11-year history.
Retired Army Col. Carl Hamilton Bell III, 1st Lt. Joseph Hillman and retired Gen. Stephen James Townsend were part of the 15-member class of 2023. Bell, ’67, a Vietnam veteran now living in Marietta, Georgia and Hillman, ’67, also from Marietta, were among the 10 troops nominated for their valor.
Hall of Fame nominees must have ties to Georgia and qualify in one of three categories: valor for heroic action in combat; outstanding achievement while in service; or significant local, state or national contributions after leaving active duty.
"Skip" Bell served in Germany and two deployments to Vietnam. He was awarded two Bronze Star Medals for Valor, the Air Medal for Valor and was also decorated with the Legion of Merit and Purple Heart, among numerous other awards. After leaving active duty in 1981, Bell joined the U.S. Army Reserve and was mobilized in 1989 to perform duty in Operation Desert Shield. His retirement in 1998 concluded a total of 31 years of combined active and reserve service.
In 1968, Hillman was awarded the first of two Silver Stars during his deployment to Vietnam. He was posthumously awarded a second Silver Star when he was killed leading an assault against a Viet Cong stronghold during a move toward a night defensive position.
It is cadet alumni such as General Townsend who served our nation under arms so selflessly and with courage, honor and integrity who bring great credit to the University of North Georgia and our Corps of Cadets.
Dr. Keith Antonia
UNG interim senior vice president and superintendent of the Cadet Leadership Academy
Bill Brown, '66, nominated Hillman, who he'd known at UNG when they worked out together in preparation for representing their companies in Field Day competitions and double-dated.
He described Hillman as "always committed to being the very best cadet, the very best soldier and the very best leader of soldiers that he could be."
"We served in Vietnam during the same time, but in different divisions. We were both there during the Tet Offensive," Brown said. "He gave his life for his country and his men. He was always committed to completing the mission and taking care of his men. I'm proud and blessed to have known him and called him friend."
Dr. Keith Antonia, interim senior vice president and superintendent of the Cadet Leadership Academy at UNG, nominated Townsend.
"It is cadet alumni such as General Townsend who served our nation under arms so selflessly and with courage, honor and integrity who bring great credit to the University of North Georgia and our Corps of Cadets," Antonia said.
Townsend, ’82, led troops at every echelon, including four Army divisions including the 82nd Airborne, 101st Air Assault, 7th Light Infantry, and 10th Mountain, as well as Commanding General of XVIII Airborne Corps. His joint commands included the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Central Command, the Joint Staff and regional commands in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. In 2016-2017 he led the multinational effort to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria during Operation Inherent Resolve.
General Townsend was awarded many decorations during his career including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with "C" device for combat service, the Army Distinguished Service Medal and the Defense Superior Service Medal, as well as the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and two awards of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
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