The National Museum of the Army

The Nat. Museum of the Army will break ground at Fort Belvoir Virginia later this year.  US Wings is proud to be a Grassroots Volunteer as an advocate for the National Army Museum.  US Wings will assist in the Museums mission to reach millions of citizens and Army veterans to share the good news about the Museum and ask for support to make the Museum a reality.    The Foundation needs to reach or exceed $200 million to ensure the Museum is fully funded.

Individuals, organizations and corporations across America can help generate funds to build the Museum.  “We are growing a network of grassroots volunteers and each volunteer has found his or her own way to advocate for the National Army Museum,” explains Beth Schultz Seaman, Director of Grassroots Development.

The National Museum of the United States Army will celebrate the selfless service and sacrifice of over 30 million men and women who have worn the Army uniform since 1775. The Museum will be a technological marvel incorporating the latest advances in Museum exhibitions while providing advanced educational opportunities that will capture the attention of visitors, old and young. As the Army’s national landmark, the Museum will honor the American Soldier; past, present, and future, and will provide an interactive educational experience explaining the Army’s role in creating and defending our nation, as well as the Army’s social initiatives and contributions to society for more than 200 years. The Museum will also provide one special and central place where Soldiers and Army veterans and their families can reflect, remember, and enjoy the enduring spirit of Army camaraderie.

The National Army Museum will be located on 40 acres on the grounds of beautiful Fort Belvoir, Va., less than 30 minutes south of our nation’s capital in Washington, D.C. The main building will be approximately 175,000 square feet and display selections from 16,000 pieces from the Army Art Collection and 50,000 artifacts, documents, and images. The vast majority of these rare and priceless artifacts have never been seen by the American people. Outside this facility will be a park with a memorial garden and parade ground. Space is being planned to accommodate ceremonies, reenactments, lectures, educational programs, conferences and reunions. The Museum will welcome an estimated 750,000 visitors every year.

Please join US Wings in becoming a Grassroot  Volunteer to help promote the National Army Museum.  You can host fundraising events such as barbecues, raffles, auctions, and carnivals.  Use the Museum brochure to encourage any who have Army family, to honor those Soldiers through the Registry of the American Soldier. If you would like to donate to the museum you can click on: Campaign for the National Museum of the Army.

Win a FREE modern A-2 Jacket

Win a Free modern A-2 Jacket!   How?  Write a review of "The LIfe of a Warrior" book which is based on the life of SFC David Hack (CEO of US Wings).  Please include your impression, feelings and personal anecdotes.  Explain how the book may have affected or inspired you.

Your review will place you into a drawing for a FREE Leather Modern A-2 Flight Jacket.  One jacket will be given away the 15th of every Month until Christmas.  One jacket per customer and one entry per customer.  No purchase necessary.

You can read the book online for free by downloading the book in PDF format.

Why do we want your reviews?  Saylors  Brothers Entertainment is creating a feature film based on 
"The Life of a Warrior" book and your reviews will be part of the film.  The Saylors Brothers also produced The Ballad of Sgt, Hack music video.  You want to be part of a Hollywood movie?  Here's your chance, send us your review!

What is Agent Orange

What is Agent Orange?

Agent Orange is one of the defoliants or herbicides used by the U.S. Military as part of its herbicidal warfare program from 1962 until 1971.  During this time period, the United States military sprayed nearly 20,000,000 gallons of chemical herbicides and defoliants in Vietnam, eastern Laos and part of Cambodia.

Studies have shown that Vietnam Veterans have increased rates of cancer, and nerve, digestive, skin, and respiratory disorders, in particular, higher rates of acute/chronic leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, throat cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, heart disease, soft tissue sarcoma and liver cancer.  The U.S. Veterans Administration has determined that these symptoms may be associated with exposure to Agent Orange/dioxin, and are on the list of conditions eligible for compensation and treatment.

The Agent Orange Veteran Payment Program was created by the resolution of the Agent Orange Product Liability litigation.  A class action lawsuit was brought by Vietnam Veterans and their families regarding health problems as a result of exposure to chemical herbicides used during the Vietnam war.  The suit was brought against the major manufacturers of these herbicides.

The Settlement Fund was distributed to class members in accordance with a distribution plan established by United States District Court Judge Jack. B. Weinstein.  The plan for distributing the Settlement Fund maximized benefits to class members.  The Payment Program operated over a period of six years, beginning in 1988 and concluding in 1994.  The Settlement Fund distributed a total of $197 million in cash payments.  Of the 105,000 claims received, approximately 52,000 Vietnam Veterans or their survivors received cash payments which averaged about $3800 each.

SFC David D. Hack USA (Ret) was exposed to Agent Orange in  his role as a Career Couselor in visiting multiple firebases throughout the First Infantry Division in 1968.  He was verified in 1993.  Listed below are the various documents and forms which attest to his certification and exposure to Agent Orange in his service to the United States Army.

Recognizing Vietnam Veterans and their Sacrifices

US Wings of Boston Heights Ohio has been selected to be a Commemorative Partner. for the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.   Recognizing Vietnam Veterans and their Sacrifices has long been due.  
In Accordance With Public Law 110-181 SEC.598; the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act authorized the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War and "in conducting the commemorative program, the Secretary shall coordinate, support, and facilitate other programs and activities of the Federal Government, State and local governments, and other persons and organizations in commemoration of the Vietnam War."

The commemorative program will include activities and ceremonies to achieve the following objectives:

1. To thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war (POW), or listed as missing in action (MIA), for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.
2. To highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of Federal agencies and governmental and non-governmental organizations that served with, or in support of, the Armed Forces.
3. To pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the Vietnam War.
4. To highlight the advances in technology, science, and medicine related to military research conducted during the Vietnam War.
5. To recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the United States during the Vietnam War.

SFC David Hack, a Vietnam Veteran founded US Wings in 1986 and has often remarked that is because of the US Army that he was able to be successful in many endeavors after he retired.  “Education, training and dedication are the foundation of the many skills I learned as a member of the US Army” said SFC David Hack.
For more information about participating in the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War click on Commemorative Partner.
Thank your Vietnam Veterans for their Service, their Sacrifices and their Patriotism.  Its been long overdue.

Share with Your Family and Friends

Now you can share with your family and friends where you served in Vietnam during your tour. We found this satellite  map showing most US Forces facilities.  It is the most complete interactive map we have found.  Click on this BLUE HIGHLIGHTED link :Where you Served in Vietnam.
A list of most US Bases and fire-bases is located on the left side of the page. Clicking on the name will then highlight the location on the map.  You can then enlarge the selection to see it in great detail.  How many times have you wanted to be able to show your friends and relatives Where you served in Vietnam?  Scroll to the bottom of the list as there are 3 pages of Bases and Points of Major Battles.
Did you know these facts?

• 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the official Vietnam era from August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975.
• 2,709,918 Americans served in uniform in Vietnam.
• Vietnam Veterans represented 9.7% of their generation.
• 240 men were awarded the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War.
• The first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis, in 1961. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. Davis Station in Saigon was named for him.
• 58,148 were killed in Vietnam.
• 75,000 were severely disabled.
• 23,214 were 100% disabled.
• 5,283 lost limbs.
• 1,081 sustained multiple amputations.
• Of those killed, 61% were younger than 21.
• 11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old.
• Of those killed, 17,539 were married.
• Average age of men killed: 23.1 years.
• Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old.
• The oldest man killed was 62 years old.
• As of January 15, 2004, there are 1,875 Americans still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.
• 97% of Vietnam Veterans were honorably discharged.
• 91% of Vietnam Veterans say they are glad they served.
• 74% say they would serve again, even knowing the outcome.
• Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than the same non-vet age groups.
• Vietnam veterans’ personal income exceeds that of our non-veteran age group by more than 18 percent.
• 87% of Americans hold Vietnam Veterans in high esteem.
• There is no difference in drug usage between Vietnam Veterans and non-Vietnam Veterans of the same age group (Source: Veterans Administration Study).
• Vietnam Veterans are less likely to be in prison – only one-half of one percent of Vietnam Veterans have been jailed for crimes.
• 85% of Vietnam Veterans made successful transitions to civilian life.

Credit: Capt. Marshal Hanson, USNR (Ret.) and Capt. Scott Beaton, Statistical Source

For more information about Vietnam Facts, Stats and Myths please CLICK on: Vietnam Stats and Facts

Become part of our Vietnam Scrapbook

Recognizing the need for Vietnam Veterans to have a forum to speak with their brothers, Sgt. Hack has provided an opportunity to share your stories.  Veterans from throughout the Vietnam war can and have sent their personal stories to Sgt. Hack which are available to be viewed at Sgt. Hack's Vietnam Scrapbook.  Included are Sarge's personal photo's from his tour of Vietnam in 1968. 

After being severely wounded in a ambush, Sgt. Hack spent one year in the Ireland Army Hospital at Ft. Knox Kentucky. Recovering with his fellow veterans during this year significantly helped Sgt. Hack cope with his injuries and prepared him for life after Vietnam. Hack has always felt that this time being with his brothers who had gone through the horror of war, was a Godsend.  Send your Vietnam stories to us at info@uswings.com and be part of Sarge's brothers.  

Sgt. Hack is the CEO of US Wings and is Commemorative Partner of the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.

Helping Vietnam Vets

It is often said that it is important to give back.  SFC David Hack wounded twice in Vietnam, realized the importance of helping his brothers that served.  He felt that sharing his life story could help those that have struggled since coming home. 

Sgt. Hack spent a year in the Ireland Army Hospital at Ft. Knox Kentucky recovering from severe wounds in Vietnam.  He truly believes the time he spent with his fellow Vietnam Vets helped him overcome the horrors of war and make it easier for him to assimilate back into society.
In its 2015 edition, The Life of a Warrior tells the story of a Sgt. Hack  from his humble beginnings in Sunfish Kentucky to his role as CEO of US Wings.  It is an inspiring story of rising from poverty to serving his country in the Coast Guard and then the United States Army in Vietnam.  Most importantly he relates his success, his failures, and being able to start over from the bottom.

Now in its 9th Printing, this book has been given FREE to over 100,000 people since its original printing in 2005.  Write us a review of “The Life of a Warrior” book.  You may include your impressions, feelings and personal anecdotes and explain how the book has affected or inspired you. Your review will place you into a drawing for a FREE Leather Flight Jacket Modern A-2. One jacket will be given away the 15th of every Month until Christmas. One jacket per customer. No purchase necessary.

    You can read the book online for free by downloading the book in PDF format.

Why do we want your reviews? Saylors Brothers Entertainment is creating a feature film based on “The Life of  a Warrior” book and your reviews will be a part of the film. The Saylors Brothers also produced The Ballad of Sgt.  Hack music video. So here’s your chance to be a part of a Hollywood feature.

The Light Pole at Portage and Northampton Roads

Sgt. Hack Recruiter 1970

Sgt Hack 44 Years Later

Sgt. David Hack, a young maverick Army Recruiter, opened a new recruiting office in Cuyahoga Falls Ohio in July 1970.  Eager to continue his success as the #1 Recruiter in the United States, Sgt. David Hack created many new untried methods of reaching potential enlistee’s.

One method he tried remains  44 years later to this day, on display for thousands of commuters that travel daily on the Portage Trail West extension.  Below is a photo of the poster taken April 18th, 2014 with Sergeant David Hack at the Light Pole on the southeastern corner of Northampton and Portage Trail Roads. Working with the Bob King Sign Company of Akron Ohio, Sergeant Hack, using his own funds created a poster which he glued to this light pole in July 1970.  The poster is still visible.

This novel approach coupled with “ Sgt. Hack Wants You for the US Army” T shirts, custom painted vehicles: a 1960 Corvette and a M151 US Army Jeep, and NHRA and AHRA affiliations, Sgt Hack maintained his position as the # 1 Recruiter in the country until his retirement as SFC David Hack.

The M151 Army Jeep, affectionately known as the HACKMOBILE, can be seen at the Don F. Pratt Museum at Ft. Campbell Kentucky.  Sgt. Hack was the Recruiter of Choice for the 101st Airborne and the HACKMOBILE was designed after their representations.

The Army's Best Recruiter

Sgt Hack Wants you for the U.S. Army!  This was the mantra of SFC David D. Hack in the early 70's as he was tasked with recruiting soldiers during the Vietnam war.  His recruiting territory consisted of Akron and surrounding area's including Kent Ohio home of Kent State University.  Realizing that he needed to be very creative in reaching our nations teens he stepped outside the norm and found ways to reach his kids. 

Hack paid $600 for a 1960 Corvette and painted it red, white and blue with stars and reproduced Uncle Sam’s “I want You” poster on the car. He set off the car’s reupholstered bucket seats with brass Army uniform buttons.

Because of the success of the Uncle Sam picture, Hack  added a twist by imprinting several hundred T-shirts with the poster. But instead of saying “I Want You,” Uncle Sam said “Sergeant Hack Wants You.” Hack gave away several hundred before a local marketing firm began selling them. Hack again paid for everything with money out of his pocket.

“The jeep, Corvette, posters and T-shirts were common sense,” Hack explained. “They were nothing fancy. We didn’t have the flag-waving image that we have today. Back then you were making the hardest sale in the world — someone’s life. People were saying they weren’t going into the service and were going to Canada instead.

“Again, they interested people enough that I could at least talk with them. For example, one guy had been called for his pre-induction draft physical. I got his name and called him up. The guy hung up on me. But when I went out to his house in the Corvette, he loosened up and eventually enlisted.”

Sgt. Hack was The Innovator of his time in the military.  For three years, 1970-1973, Sgt. Hack was the #1 Recruiter in the United States military.  Many of the marketing efforts he developed are now duplicated by all the services today in their efforts to recruit soldiers for our military.  

The Hackmobile, the U.S. Military's first Custom Vehicle

The Hackmobile was the U.S. Military's first custom painted vehicle. Today all branches of service have highly decorated vehicles they use in their recruiting.  In 1970 that was not the case.

                                    Still Hacking It
                                                             Story by SSgt. Cecil Stack
                                          (reprinted from Soldiers Magazine, February 1986)

In 1970, an olive-drab Army jeep cruising Akron, Ohio, highways probably turned few youngsters’ heads. However, an Army jeep painted red, white and blue, sporting fluorescent “U.S. Army” letters and serial numbers, chrome rims, 16-inch tires, red vinyl seats and paratroopers silhouetted against a sunburst snapped those heads right around.

“I got a lot of slack-jaw stares, laughs, and oohs and aahs,” said retired Army SFC David D. Hack. “I took the jeep to fairs, schools, drag races and any other place with crowds.”

As an Army recruiter in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, an Akron suburb, Hack used the jeep as a way to meet young people. “As a recruiting tool the jeep was fantastic,” Hack recalled. “It broke down the communication barrier between me and the young men. They wanted to see me, and during the Vietnam War not many young men wanted to see an Army recruiter. We talked about cars, girls, school activities and, of course, the Army.”

The “Hackmobile” worked. His recruiting station’s enlistments jumped from 13 in five months to 62 in the following four months. The jeep and Hack were a twosome for two years. However, the 101st Airborne Division broke up the team in 1972 when it wanted its jeep back.

About a year later, the team’s other half left the recruiting business. Hack was medically retired from the Army because of problems with a Vietnam War wound. Hack never saw the jeep again, until he visited the Fort Campbell, Ky., museum last year — 13 years later.

“The jeep basically looked the same, but over the years the paint had chipped and the top had rotted and become tattered,” Hack said. “I asked the museum’s curator about refurbishing it. After a few months and several letters, I received permission to do it.

“So I returned to Fort Campbell and took it back to Ohio. Because of the jeep’s historical value, it couldn’t get a quick repaint. So what could have taken several days took a couple of months. The body shop had to match the colors and then paint and repaint until the chips were flush with the original paint. We also replaced the top.”

Hack paid for the 1970 customizing and the recent refurbishing. Now that the restoration is finished, the jeep is back on display at the post’s Pratt Museum.

Seeing the jeep again brought back a lot of memories for Hack, especially the adventure of how he got the jeep the first time. “I thought it would be neat to customize an Army jeep and use it as a sales tool,” Hack recalled, his blue eyes growing larger and his face widening into a smile. His look had just enough tease to make any young person want to take the Army challenge.

“I remember calling Fort Campbell’s post sergeant major and asking for a jeep. His first response was ‘No way, Jose.’ A couple of weeks later I called again and asked if he had changed his mind. He hadn’t. I called a third time and asked when I could have my jeep.”

The sergeant major must have either thought Hack would keep asking until one of them PCSed, or he liked the idea of the division’s name being seen by thousands of people. Hack got his jeep.

“A captain and sergeant drove the jeep to a Colorado, Ohio, inn. The captain told me: ‘I’m not supposed to ask any questions. I’m only to give you the jeep and not know anything about this.’

“Everything was fine until the division commander saw the jeep on a newsreel about two years later. The problem was he liked the idea and wanted a similar jeep to help recruit soldiers into the 101st. The sergeant major told him the jeep was his, so he took it back.

For the next three years, the jeep toured Kentucky and surrounding states promoting the 101st Airborne Div. In 1975, the Hackmobile was finally retired from the recruiting business. The jeep was returned to the division’s Company D, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry.

“The jeep was almost lost forever,” said Paul Lawson of the post museum. “The company commander had the jeep in his inventory, but couldn’t drive it because of the customizing. He needed the jeep, so he was going to restore it to its olive-drab paint and standard equipment.

“We found out about the problem and got him to transfer it from his inventory to the division’s S-4 shop,” Lawson continued. “They in turn transferred the jeep to the post’s headquarters company who declared it excess and donated it to us, and we declared it historical property.

“The jeep stayed in the museum on exhibition and left here only a couple of times for exhibits until Dave asked to take it back to Ohio.”

The Rocketman and Sarge's First Purple Heart

The Rocketman and Sgt. Hack, two survivors of the Vietnam War met recently  for the first time, forty-five years after unknowingly being part of a Viet Cong rocket attack.  Pvt. Tommy Mercer, the Rocketman, and the pointman for Company C, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry received the Silver Star for his actions of capturing five of six 122 mm Russian-made rockets that were poised to fire on the Division’s Lai Khe base camp.The sixth rocket was launched, and Sgt. David Hack (CEO of US Wings) was injured in the explosion April 10, 1968 and received his first of two purple hearts.

Mr. Mercer found Sgt. Hack 45 years later upon reading the Vietnam Section of the US Wings website. He was startled to discover that Sgt. Hack was injured by the lone rocket that was fired.  Sgt. Hack, Tom Mercer and other members of Company C were reunited 45 years later at a reunion held in Nashville, TN for C Company’s 1st Battalion of the 18th Infantry. Speaking to the group, Sgt. Hack reflected upon the importance of serving our country in Vietnam, the importance of recognizing the contribution these men have made to our society, and the importance of being a survivor.

Purple Heart Ceremony Hudson Ohio

The Purple Heart was presented to Sergeant David Hack by Congressman Steve LaTourette in Hudson Ohio. 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 enemy.  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.

To view the ceremony click on:  https://youtu.be/qiOGRAy4vVU

Congressman Steve LaTourette, Sgt. Hack, Lt. General Robert Wagner, Bill Willoughby

Vietnam 50th Anniversary Interview with Sgt. Hack

Veterans Radio Network sponsored a Vietnam 50th Anniversary Interview with SFC David Hack USA (Ret), Lt. General Robert Wagner USA (Ret) and Major Bill Willoughby USA (Ret), Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, at US Wings corporate office.

To listen click on:  https://youtu.be/tVkXtIVkLWw

Host Gary Lillie, a former Navy SeaBee and Vietnam veteran speaks to Sgt. Hack, Lt. Gen. Bob Wagner and Bill Willoughby about their experience in Vietnam.  Sgt. Hack was with the 1st Division as a Career Counselor and the NCOIC for General Keith Ware.  Lt. Gen. Bob Wagner arrived in Vietnam as a new Lieutenant recently graduated from West Point.   Major Bill Willoughby was with the Special Forces.
A fascinating recollection of three men's sacrifice and duty to their country.

Sgt Hack & Gen. Wagner

Major Bill Willoughby

Veterans from all over northern Ohio visited US Wings for the first 50th Anniversary Rally held in Ohio.   Many veterans groups, and the United States Army Recruiting Command had displays. The day was concluded with the parachute landing of the American Flag and the POW Flag.

Sgt. Hack 1st Division Vietnam History Interview

SFC David D. Hack (US Army, Ret.), CEO of US Wings, was selected to participate in a historic project for the Cantigny First Division Oral History in  July of  2008. 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.  Sgt. Hack relates his experience with the Big Red 1 during his volunteered deployment to Vietnam in 1968.  

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 outside 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.

To view the video click on:  https://youtu.be/KMCNRXfIH7s