Lieutenant Colonel Robert W. Hakala was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School on 1 May 1943, class number 230. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, Company A, 50th ITB, Camp Croft, South Carolina. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Executive Officer, Co C, 399th Inf, European Theater of Operations; Company Commander, Co B, 37th ITB, Camp Croft, South Carolina; Assistant Infantry Officer, Headquarters, USAFID/XXIV, Korea, dy w/ office Civil Info; Battalion S-3, Headquarters, 3d Bn, 31st Inf, APO 7, Camp Grawford, Japan; PMST, 5113 ASU, Cheyenne, Wyoming, ROTC; Industrial Secretary Officer, 5001 ASU, Milwaukee, Wisconsin - D w/PM 5th Army; S-3 5107 ASU, Minneapolis, Minnesota-Dy w/Minn Mil District; Battalion S-3, Headquarters, 2d Bn, 4th Inf, Eielson, Air Force Base, Alaska; Regiment S-3, Headquarters, 4th Inf, Fort Lewis, Washington; Regiment/BG S-3, Headquarters, 8th Inf, Fort Lewis, Washington; Operations Officer, Headquarters, Eight Army, G-3 Section EUSA Korea; Chief, O&T, Ranger Dept The Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia; Camp Commander, Florida Ranger Camp, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. | Colonel Hakala's awards and decorations include: Commendation Ribbon, Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star Medal w/V device and w/Oak Leaf Cluster.