Colonel Gerald Everett Hamby, a deceased U.S. Army officer from Jonesboro, served as a Sergeant with the US Marine Corps in the Korean War, and thereafter completed two tours in Vietnam as a commissioned U.S. Army officer. He received several awards for his service, including the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action, Bronze Star Medal with valor device, two Bronze Star Medals for exceptionally meritorious combat achievement, five Purple Heart medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, eleven Air Medals (one with valor device), and the Army Commendation Medal.

The highest award he received was the Silver Star, awarded for actions on April 29, 1970, during combat operations in Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam. Major Hamby arrived by helicopter to assess the situation when a platoon from his battalion encountered enemy forces. Determining that an assault on an enemy bunker was necessary, he led the attack under heavy automatic weapon fire. Despite being wounded, he silenced two bunkers, first with his pistol and two hand grenades, and then with another grenade. Refusing medical evacuation, Major Hamby continued to lead the assault until the complex was captured.