Dowden to Arkansas Mil Vets Hall of Fame

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                         Bill Russell, Ph: 501-590-962        October 26, 2011                                                                                        Board of Directors

  Fifteen Selected for Veterans Hall of Fame

The Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame (AMVHOF) has announced the selection of fifteen Arkansans for induction for the year 2011. They will be recognized during induction ceremonies at the Hall of Fame annual banquet November 11^th at the Agora Center in Conway, Arkansas.   The fifteen veterans were selected by an independent committee of veterans chaired by a Brigadier General and oversighted by the Arkansas Office of Veterans Affairs. The complete list of inductees selected, their current residence and a few service highlights are as follows:

1.      William O. Darby, Fort Smith (WWII, Two Distinguished  Service Crosses, Darby’s Rangers)

2.      James L. Hughes, Magnolia (Vietnam,3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, POW 1967-1973, Air Medal)           

3.      William L. Russell, Fayetteville (WWII & Korea, Silver Star, 8 Purple Hearts)

4.      Mark Douglas Diggs, Little Rock (Vietnam, Bronze Star, 2 Purple Hearts)

5.      Donald Erivan Grigg, El Dorado (Vietnam, Silver Star, Bronze Star, 2 Purple Hearts)

6.      Bernard Dunn, Louann  (WWII, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 4 Air Medals, “Ace” Pilot)

7.      Walker E. Conrad, Jonesboro (WWII, Distinguished Flying Cross, 3 Air Medals, POW 1944)

8.      Orie F. Morgan, El Dorado (WWII, Bronze Star for Valor, Purple Heart)

9.      Burnice E. Rose, Mulberry (WWII & Vietnam, 2 Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, 2 Air Medals)

10.   Russell H. Dowden,New Palestine, Ind.(Vietnam, Silver Star, 2 Legions of Merit, Purple Heart)

Five inductees were honored for both military and community service and veteran support  work in the State:

11.   Andy F. Aldridge, No. Little Rock (Korea, Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal, UN Medal)

12.   Freeman Owens, Pine Bluff (WWI, Good Conduct Medal, Invented 200 Motion Picture patents)

13.   Jerry W. Bowen, Jonesboro (Vietnam, 2 Legions of Merit, 2 Bronze Stars, Military Officers Assoc.)

14.   Lex E. Davis, Sherwood (Vietnam, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Wheel Chair Special Olympics)

15.   James C. Johnson, Van Buren (Korea & Vietnam, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Uniform Auto License Plates).

“We are extremely gratified to be able to permanently recognize such a high caliber slate of inductees”. said Conrad Reynolds, (Colonel US Army Retired), Director of the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame. “ These Veterans have represented Arkansas magnificently with their service.  Their accomplishments need to be honored and their stories told”.

The Inductees will receive a Medallion. Tickets to the banquet may be purchased by calling the AMVHOF office at 1-888-329-3845. The public is also encouraged to submit nominations of worthy Arkansans for the 2012 class of Inductees. Nomination forms may be secured through the Hall of Fame website at www.amvhof.org