CULLMAN, Ala. – A night of honor and legacy brought together six distinguished veterans to be recognized for their lifetime of bravery, courage and selfless service. The Cullman Veterans Hall of Fame highlighted these six veterans, whose service stretches as far back to World War II, honoring them not only for their military contributions, but also for their continued dedication to the community after their time in uniform.
“The Mission of the Cullman Veterans Hall of Fame (CVHOF) is to recognize and pay tribute to our Veterans who honorably served our country, displayed great character, and continued a lifetime of service to our county, our state, and its citizens,” the ceremony program read. “The Cullman Veterans Hall of Fame is not just a military hall of fame; but also seeks to recognize Veterans for their contributions to our community after their service.”
The ceremony began with an invocation from VFW Chaplain Gary Rodgers, followed by the posting of the colors by the Cullman JROTC Color Guard, led by Cadet First Lieutenant Zoey Hembree. Renee Crowe then delivered a powerful rendition of the national anthem.
Local leaders and officials were acknowledged for their ongoing support of the veteran community before the induction ceremony commenced.
Colonel Don Fallin shepherded the ceremony with the honor to read the biographies of each veteran being inducted, highlighting not only their military service, but also their lifelong dedication to serving the community. As he recounted their accomplishments and stories, there were moments when his voice wavered with emotion, a reflection of the deep respect and admiration felt throughout the room for these extraordinary men.
Each inductee into the Cullman Veterans Hall of Fame was honored with a medallion, a distinctive name tag and a personalized plaque featuring a short bio and a picture of their choosing. The plaques will be displayed in the Cullman County Courthouse for one year before being returned to the inductees at the 2025 ceremony. A perpetual plaque, listing the names of all inductees, will remain permanently on display at the courthouse.
The plaques that each inducted veteran received, and will in turn be displayed in the Cullman County Courthouse for the year until the 2025 inductees are honored. (Gauge Day)
Additionally, commemorative brick pavers, which will be placed at Veterans Park at Sportsman Lake, were provided to the inductees as part of creating a lasting legacy for the county’s heroes.
Each inductee, along with his biography featured in the program, is listed below, accompanied by a photo he or his family chose. Two of the six honorees were recognized posthumously, with family members accepting the awards on their behalf.
Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Julian R. Campbell USAF (CVHOF)
Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Julian R. Campbell – United States Airforce
Army Air Corps and United States Air Force from 1941 to 1969
- B26 Pilot (his plane was named Campbell’s Caravan)
- 40 Combat Missions in World War II against Nazi Germany over Sicily and Italy
- Pacific Theater supporting the 11th Airborne Division
- Flew Transport and Medical Evacuation Missions during the Korean War from 1950 – 1954
- Flew the C-47 in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967
- Authored “Memories That Must Not Vanish” which resides in the Alabama Department of Archives
Awards include:
- Bronze Star Medal
- Five Air Medals
- World War II Victory Medal
- the Vietnam Service Medal with two Battle Stars
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Community service roles:
- Deacon at Seventh Street Baptist Church
- Lifetime Member of Cullman Chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Grand Marshall of the 2022 Veterans Day Celebration
- Active Member of the Cullman County Republican Party
LTC Julian Campbell’s daughter, Robin, accepted the award on his behalf.
James T. Watts Jr. (CVHOF)
James T. Watts Jr. – United States Army
U.S. Army from 25 August 1944 to 11 April 1946
- Infantry Rifleman in World War II
- Rhineland and Central Europe with G Company, 318th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division
- Wounded in Action Three Times in 21 Days
- Participated in the Ebensee Concentration Camp Liberation in Austria
- “Suicide Watch” Guard Duty at the Palace of Justice, Nuremburg Germany
Awards include:
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Three Purple Hearts
- European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with Two Bronze Stars
- World War II Victory Medal
- Army of Occupation Medal
- Good Conduct Medal
Community service roles:
- Disabled American Veterans
- Holly Pond Lions Club
- Deacon at New Hope #2 Missionary Baptist Church
- Board Member Cullman Electric Cooperative
Junior Watts’ daughter, Jan Sutton, would accept the award on his behalf.
Clarence E. Benefield (CVHOF)
Clarence E. Benefield – United States Air Force
United States Air Force 1965 to 1971
- CH-3E Helicopter Flight Engineer and Door Gunner, 21St Special Operations Squadron, 56th Air Commando Wing
- Nakhon, Thailand 1967 to 1968
- 78 Combat Missions Operating in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
Awards Include:
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Two Oak Leaf Clusters
- Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
- Air Force Good Conduct Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star
- Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Medal
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device
- Also Recognized with the “Winged S” for his Role in Rescuing Two Downed Pilots
Community service roles:
- Life Member and Chaplain of the Disabled American Veterans
- Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars
- American Legion
- Life Member of the Vietnam Veterans of America
- Cullman Veterans Park Board
- Cullman Veterans Hall of Fame Committee
- County Republican Executive Committee
Staff Sergeant (ret.) Hollis W. Baggett (CVHOF)
Staff Sergeant (ret.) Hollis W. Baggett – United States Army
U.S. Army from 1965 to 1988
- Combat Medic Republic of Vietnam; April 1966 to March 1967 with Company A, 4th Battalion, 23rd Mechanized Infantry, 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning)
- 91C Clinical Specialist
- Recognized for Exceptional Performance while assigned as the NCOIC of the ICU at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York
Awards include:
- Combat Medical Badge
- Bronze Star Medal
- Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
- “V” Device for Valor
- Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars
- Army Good Conduct Medal (6th award)
- Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Community service roles:
- Disabled American Veterans Chapter 101 in Cullman (Senior Vice) and Chapter 28, Oneonta (Chapter Service Officer)
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
- Active Participant in all County Veterans Events
Van T. Hutchins Jr. U.S. Army (CVHOF)
Van T. Hutchins Jr. – United States Army
US Army – Engineer with the 544th Engineer Company, 36th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, US Army Pacific
- Vietnam 1967- 1968
Awards include:
- Army Commendation Medal
- National Defense Service Medal
- Good Conduct Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Vietnam Campaign Medal
Community service roles:
- Disabled American Veterans Chapter 101 (Life Member)
- VFW Post 2214 (Life Member) Sergeant of Arms
- Director of Flags and Member of the Burial Honor Guard
- American Legion Post 4
- Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 416 (Life Member)
- Chairman of the Alabama Veterans Vietnam Wall
- Wreaths Across America for Cullman Country
- Cullman County Rescue Squad
- Charter Member of the Crane Hill Fire Department
- Charter member of Smith Lake Baptist Church
“He is most proud of the fact that he is a Christian and knows that God is in charge of his life.”
Richard (Rick) L. Leigeber U.S. Army (CVHOF)
Richard (Rick) L. Leigeber – United States Army
U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969
- Served with Company A, 4th Battalion, 23rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade in the 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning)
- 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman)
- Vietnam 1968-1969, Cu Chi Valley – Tet Offensive
Awards include:
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- National Defense Service Medal
- Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device
- Vietnam Service Medal
- 1st Class Gunner (M60 – Machine Gun)
- Sharpshooter (M16 Rifle)
Community Service roles:
- Life member of VFW and the American Legion
- Member of the American Flag Detail for Highway 31
- Led the effort for the “White Crosses Memorial” for Cullman Honoring our Fallen Heroes
- Led Fundraising Efforts Though his love for Fishing
- Supported the Veteran Memorial Burial Team with the “Slow Salute” for our Fallen Heroes
The Cullman Veterans Hall of Fame is organized and supported by the local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Post 2214), the American Legion (Post 4) and the Disabled American Veterans (Post 101). This initiative is carried out in partnership with the Cullman County Commission and the municipalities throughout Cullman County.
For more information on the Cullman Veterans Hall of Fame, contact Donald Fallin at 910-308-4197 or donald.fallin@gmail.com.
Copyright 2024 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
