Bud is a true American who loves his country and when duty called was willing to sacrifice all. He felt it was his honor and obligation to do whatever job was set before him to fight for our freedoms. During his military years of service, Bud servedour country well. Because of his service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal. This Purple Heart Medal represents him being shot not only once, but twice, on the same morning with a one or two hour interval between the two injuries.

As daughters of Bud Vandiver, we grew up knowingthat our Daddy was wounded in WWII. While we did not always understand the sacrifice that he had made, we did understand that our Daddy had limited use of his right arm due to his injury in the war. At times, we were allowed to hold his Purple Heart Medal. At these times, we could sense how proud Daddy was of this medal. He alwaysseemed to stand a little taller and straighter as we touched this medal and placed our fingers in the large wound on his shoulder.

Daddy did not share any of his war stories until the last few years. As he began relating his stories, we learned of the many hardships and trials that he faced: battle fatigue, general fatigue, long military maneuvers, sleepless nights, hunger, anxiety of facing the enemy at the front lines, lack of communication from home and loved ones, and all the things that all soldiers encounter and feel during times of war.

So many men and women are worthy to accept the honor of being inducted into the Arkansas Military Veteran's Hall of Fame. We would like to share with you some details of why we believe our daddy, Carl Bud Vandiver, should be selected.We believe that his leadership roles and his injuries during battle qualify him to be chosen for this honor.

On October 17, 1939, Carl Bud Vandiver, a Prescott High School student, joined the local Arkansas NationalGuard: the 153^rd Infantry Company C. InDecember 1940, the 153^rd Company C was mobilized to Camp Robinson,Arkansas. After training, these men were sent to Alaska for further training and for manning outpost stations. During this time, Pearl Harbor was bombed. With our country now at war, Bud, along with twenty-eight other men from Company C were  chosen to returnto the states to train new soldiers. Oncethese men arrived in Seattle, thewar escalated at such a rapid pace that the commanders decided not to form a new unit but instead to divide these twenty-nine men into various companies where they were most needed. At this time, Bud was assigned with the 91^st Infantry 363^rdCompany A as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant in the "Powder River" Division.

An exemplary soldier during this time of training, Bud was assigned to an advanced detail. This detail was sent toNorth Africa to set up camps and to prepare for the troops to arrive. Here the men would be on a training mission that would include being trained for beach landings. After training, Company A was sent to Naples, Italy. Thefront lines were near Rome, Italy. Bud was chosen from his company to observe the Japanese-Americans with the 442D Infantry Regiment who were fighting on the front lines. At the end of ten days of observation, Bud returned to his company where he shared everything that hehad learned at the front. This was to prepare Company A for what they should expect when they advanced to the front lines. Company A then began the long walk toenter the combat zone.

Bud earned his Bronze Star Medal July 4,1944, in Italy. Hisplatoon was advancing toward the front lines. Bud was with the lead unit. They marched past one farmhouse and met no opposition. As the next platoonpassed by the farmhouse, they were attacked in an ambush. The first platoon turned back to assist that platoon. As a result, many men were wounded or killed. During this ambush, no additional support wascoming in to help. The captain and the lieutenant of these platoons were either severely wounded or killed, so Bud stepped up to take command of the remaining men.He orderedretreat. As he was running from theambush area, bullets were being fired from all around. Bud was in mid-step when a bullet went between his legs grazing the back ofone leg and putting a hole through the front of the other pants leg. Bud gathered the survivors together and ushered them to safety. Since Bud was left in charge during this attack, he had to report to battalion headquarters the next day to relay what had happened. OnJuly 4, our dad displayed true heroism and bravery while engaged in face to face combat with the enemy. Hisleadership abilities that day helped to save the lives of many American soldiers.