What's New at US Wings

2015 Army Historical Calendar

October 29, 2014 By RCK Leave a Comment

The 2015 Army Historical Calendar has selected SFC David D. Hack, US Army (Ret) as one of eight Vietnam Veterans to represent the Vietnam era in the 2015 calendar. Hack, known as “Sgt. Hack”, is a decorated 74-year-old veteran, and the recipient of two Purple Hearts, wounded twice in Vietnam as a member of the 1st Infantry Division. The calendars, provided to museum sponsors, will be available for purchase Nov. 1 at www.armyhistory.org. Proceeds from the calendar will support the construction of the National Museum of the United States Army at Ft. Belvoir Virginia. This is the seventh calendar honoring the Army, according to retired Colonel David Fabian, director of communications for the Army Historical Foundation. Fabian designed the calendar using Army artwork scenes for each month. The 2015 Army Historical Calendar will honor different eras of Army service, including a special page on chaplains. The subjects were chosen at random using the online Registry of the American Soldier: www.armyhistory.org. Anyone who has received and honorable discharge, or has a family member who has been honorably discharged, can place a name in the 110,000 name searchable data bank, with some entries going back to the Revolutionary War.

Hack was wounded twice, the first time in a Rocket attack on April 10th 1968, and the second when his armored personnel carrier was hit by enemy fire on September 13th, 1968. Hit by shrapnel in his leg, face, and back, he underwent five major surgeries. His leg never healed and he lost the sight in his right eye. After spending a year in the hospital, Sergeant Hack became a recruiter in northern Summit County Ohio. His custom painted jeep, known as the “Hackmobile” which was used to recruit soldiers for the 101st Airborne, resides at the Don F. Pratt Museum at Ft. Campbell Kentucky since his retirement in 1973.

“It is a great honor for the Army Historical Foundation National Museum of the United States Army to place my picture and name in the 2015 Army Historical Calendar,” Hack said of the announcement that he was selected. Below is a letter from General Martin E. Dempsey, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs thanking Sarge for receiving the calendar.

For more information please CLICK on:
ARMY CALENDAR

SGT HACK BIOGRAPHY

PURCHASE ARMY CALENDAR

Cantigny First Division Oral history project

March 14, 2014 By RCK Leave a Comment

The Cantigny First Division Oral History project was developed by Ball State University. Stories from the BIG RED ONE, the United States Army First Division, whose motto is : “No mission too difficult, No sacrifice too great— Duty First”, are recorded.

SFC David D. Hack (US Army, Ret.), CEO of US Wings, was selected to participate in this historic project for the Cantigny First Division Oral History in July of 2008. The Cantigny museum is home to the McCormick Research Center, for use by authors, scholars, teachers and students. The Center’s archives contain more than 10,000 works on military history, including works on various battles, campaigns and wars. The museum also has exhibits and artifacts chronicling the First Division’s service history beginning in World War I up to the present day. the Cantigny First Division Oral history project resides in Ball State University’s Library Digital Media Repository. The museum is built on the grounds of the Robert R. McCormick estate. On display outsidet the museum is the area’s largest collection of tanks and artillery pieces. The collection includes vehicles from World War I to the present day used by the Big Red One.

For more information please CLICK on:

CANTIGNY PARK

SGT HACK

Purple Heart Ceremony

August 6, 2012 By hudsonhero Leave a Comment

A Purple Heart Ceremony was held June 30 2011. The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in the world. It was initially created as the Badge of Military Merit by General George Washington. The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who are wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the ememy. It is specifically a combat decoration. SFC David D. Hack (US Army Retired, CEO of US Wings) was presented with the Purple Heart Medal for wounds he received during the Vietnam War. Presenting the medals were Congressman Steven LaTourette (R-OH), LTG (R) Robert Wagner USA (Ret), and Bill Willoughby (Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army OH-N).

Sgt. Hack earned two Purple Hearts during his tour, which were noted in his DD-214 file, but due to military oversight he never received the actual medals. Sgt. Hack was wounded the first time on April 10th 1968 in a rocket attack. He was wounded the second time September 13th 1968. Sgt. Hack’s Vietnam service ended in 1968. 43 years later, he finally received his Purple Heart (along with a Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, Expert Badge with Rifle Bar, and an Army Recruiter Badge).

The Purple Heart Ceremony was held in front of the Hudson Village Green bandstand in downtown Hudson, Ohio.

For more information please CLICK on:

SGT HACK