Oct 2016: Warren Richard “Rick” Willers
US Army 1969-1973 / US Navy, 1973 – 1993
Our October Veteran of the Month is Warren Richard “Rick” Willers. He was born in Pensacola, Florida, and attended Livingston College (now the University of West Alabama) after graduating from Demopolis High School. During his Junior year in 1969, he was drafted in the U.S. Army. After Artillery Ballistic Meteorology School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he was off to South Vietnam, where he served for nine months with the 1st Battalion, 30th Artillery. Upon discharge, he served in the Alabama National Guard, then joined the U.S. Navy in 1973. After training as an Aviation Electronics Technician, his duty stations included the USS John F. Kennedy, the USS America, and the USS Nassau. He also served as an Electronics Instructor in various places, including Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Millington, Tennessee. While on board the USS Nassau, he spent eight months and three days off the coast of Kuwait during the first Gulf War.
In addition to earning his Air Crew Wings, he was also awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Expeditionary Medal (2 awards), National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Southwest Asia Campaign Medal with 2 bronze stars, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal (4 awards), Navy “E” Ribbon, Combat Action Ribbon, and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3 awards).
After his retirement from the Navy in 1993, he and his late wife Patricia moved to Tipton County. He worked in the private sector for three years before accepting a civilian position at the Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington to help close down antiquated facilities. Once that was completed, he worked at Northside Laundry for six years. He is a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and attends church at First United Methodist Church in Millington.
Rick was nominated for Veteran of the Month by his friend Joyce Geneva Travis.