Arkansas
Military Veterans'
Hall of Fame
Arkansas
Military Veterans'
Hall of Fame
Major General Porter of Walnut Ridge, deceased, U.S. Army, two combat tours in Vietnam, awards include the Distinguished Service medal, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star medals for valor, Purple Heart medal, and 25 awards of the Air medal. Made over 100 military parachute jumps and commanded the 82nd Airborne Division.
He started as a young private and rose to the rank of Major-General. Eventually becoming the Commanding General of the elite 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg North Carolina. He served in various levels of command, from rifle platoon through an Airborne Division. He was a graduate of the United States War College. He served two combat tours in Vietnam. Throughout his career he served as Brigade Commander in the 82nd, division Chief of Staff, Assistant Division Commander and Deputy Commander General of the 18th Airborne Corps, and again was Command General of the 82nd Airborne until his injury. He has made over 100 military jumps. His military awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with V-device and one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 10 oak leaf clusters, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Berlin), Army Occupation Medal (Berlin), Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm, and the Vietnamese Civic Actions Honor Medal. He has numerous letters of commendation and other citations. He also was an inductee into the Hall of Honor, ROTC at Arkansas State University.
His military funeral was a little different than the normal protocol for deceased military personnel. By his request, Taps was played at the very beginning of his funeral, signifying that this life is over. Reveille was played at the end of the service to signify a new life started in Heaven.
Major General Porter of Walnut Ridge, deceased, U.S. Army, two combat tours in Vietnam, awards include the Distinguished Service medal, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Star medals for valor, Purple Heart medal, and 25 awards of the Air medal. Made over 100 military parachute jumps and commanded the 82nd Airborne Division.