Bill Pearson

---

Lieutenant Colonel, US Army

Bill Pearson

WKU Class of 1971

Bill was commissioned Infantry at the height of the Vietnam war. In short order, he was in combat as an infantry platoon leader. Bill earned a high award for valor during his 1967 tour as well as the Combat Infantry Badge, Airborne wings and a Ranger tab, later Jumpmaster certification. All of these set him apart in both the Army and in life.

Over the next years, Bill earned Aviator wings and Cobra/gunship certification. He served another Vietnam tour flying Cobras and commanding a Cobra platoon in 3-17^th Cavalry. He was “engaged” by enemy ground fire – an oft used term for calling on all your skill to fight and survive.

In addition to the above, Bill holds: Senior Army Aviator Wings and Senior Parachutist badge, Legion of Merit, Three Bronze Stars, one with “V” device for valor in combat, Air Medals, Meritorious Service Medal with 2OLC, Commendation Medals, DA Staff Badge, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, Service Medals to include Four Combat Sleeve Bars.

Bill also did a number of vital jobs throughout his Army career, culminating in his selection to Colonel. He earned a Masters degree at WKU and later served in the ROTC Department. Under his tutelage and having recruitment responsibility, cadet enrollment tripled. This was unusual and highly notable in the mid-1970’s as the Vietnam war was winding down and military service was not popular. During his time at Western, he also advised and assisted the Pershing Rifle and Rebelette organizations, the latter winning a national drill competition.

While at Western, Bill did far more than serve as an ROTC faculty member. As mentioned, he was instrumental in increasing enrollment. This involved extensive travel throughout Kentucky – not unusual perhaps, but the accompanying message was. The Pershing Rifles, with Bill’s tutelage, organized the Charles Thomas Memorial JROTC Drill Meet; using this and other good messages about Western, Bill’s recruiting efforts in Kentucky high schools resonated – he spoke to several hundred high schoolers and prospective Western students over the course of his time at Western. One result was the tripling of ROTC cadet enrollment, cited above.

After Western ROTC duty, and as Bill became more senior and graduated from the Command and Staff College, he was involved in and made major contributions to many of the “big” things that happened to and within our country and the Army – and he was superb at all of them.

After staff college, Bill was posted to Iran to advice an Iranian aviation battalion. He arrived the day martial law was declared. The Shah was overthrown a few months later. Bill and his team were trapped by the Revolutionary Guard 250 miles from Tehran, where the Americans who could get to Tehran were assembled at the Hilton hotel. With resolute leadership and courage, Bill got his team to Tehran by commandeering a school bus and making their way through several Revolutionary Guard roadblocks. They got out on the last US evacuation flight.

Bill’s last assignment was at the Pentagon. He was the Aviation officer for the Chief of Army Reserve (OCAR). Upon retirement, Bill served as a High School ROTC Professor of Military Science in South Carolina. The program thrived under his leadership and example. One measure more than worth citing is Bill helped prepare and send a dozen students to the Nation’s service academies and more than 50 earned ROTC college scholarships. Bill did more than lead the ROTC program. He led and energized several other domains and essential issues at Walhalla HS. A very strong HOF letter of recommendation from his Principal acknowledged all of these. Bill established and mentored the Key Club; he taught other classes, especially along the lines of service learning; notably, Bill played a major role in the school’s Southern Association five year evaluation leading to recognition by the Department of Education’s designation of Walhalla HS as a New American High School showcase site.