First Lieutenant James R. Hammersla

First Lieutenant James R. Hammersla entered the U.S. Army in September 1966 and volunteered for OCS. He was assigned to Fort Ord, California, for Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training and was then sent on to Fort Eustis to await the beginning of his OCS Class. He was assigned to Delta Company of Transportation OCS. He received orders for Transportation Corps OCS in April of 1967 and graduated in Class 19-67 on 13 September 1967. Following graduation, he was assigned to the Provost Marshall's Office at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

In August 1968, lLT Hammersla reported to the 379th Transportation Company in the Republic of Vietnam. On 17 December 1968 as the Commander of a convoy transporting supplies from Long Binh to Dau Tieng, Tay Ninh Province, lLT Hammersla distinguished himself by exceptional valorous actions at the cost of his own life when his convoy was ambushed by a battalion-sized force of North Vietnamese Army troops. lLT Hammersla was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his valorous actions.

lLT Hammersla's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of U.S. Army Officer Candidate School, the  military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. He is exceptionally qualified for acceptance and worthy of induction into the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame.

lLT Hammersla's highest military awards include the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart w/ OLC.