Hodder was a pioneer in Quartermasters
Note: As American Legion Post 284 celebrates its 70th anniversary, we want to share some of the stories about our veterans and their experiences. Too often the public never hears or know their stories. Just as they have served their nation, they continue to serve others through their membership and participation in the American Legion.
Clinton "Clint" Hodder is just one of those stories. In 1962 Clint was a Distinguished Graduate of ROTC and received a Regular Army Commission in the Quartermaster Corps. His career took him on many twists and turns that most officers did not encounter in a career.
Clint is recognized as one of the first Quartermaster Officers to become a Charter member of the Army Acquisition Corps in 1990 for dedicating half of his 30-year career was spent in the research, development, standardization, interoperability and acquisition of weapon systems and equipment that enhanced operational capabilities of our Army and NATO allies during the Cold War. He played a key role in bringing the British 105mm Light Gun to replace the obsolete US Army 105mm Howitzer in the 101st Airborne and 82d Airborne Divisions thereby foregoing millions of dollars in R&D and production costs in fielding a new weapons system. He was ahead of his time and his efforts contributed to the eventual establishment of the Logistics Corps of today.
He had key Command and Staff assisgnments that included six commands! Those commands included the following: USA Natick Research, Development, and Engineering Center; Commander, USA Research Development and Standardization Group in London, England: Commandant, USA Logistics College; 197th Support Battalion, 197th Infantry Brigade; HQ Company, 26th Support Group (Vietnam); Forward Support Element in 1 Corps (Vietnam); and last he commanded a Forward Support Element, 101st Airborne Division. He participated in four battle campaigns while in Vietnam.
He also served as an Exchange Officer (Chief, Weapons Branch) Donnington Army Depot, Shropshire, United Kingdom. He was Chief, Foreign Military Sales, Lance missile Program Management Office in Huntsville, Alabama. He also served as the Branch Manager of the Quartermaster Branch at the Department of the Army Military Personnel Center.
He also served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of Pennsylvania and he helped save the ROTC Program there when many universities were closing the programs down during the Vietnam war. He felt this was one of his greatest achievements in his storied military career.
Like many others, Clint has many tales of his time in war zones. His story involved "Big Mouth" Martha Raye on one of her visits to the troops in Vietnam. Then Capt. Hodder was detailed to meet her helicopter and escort her to the show. She arrived in battle fatigues and before he could go into his welcoming spiel, she said to him, " Captain keep it short! Show me where the crapper is!" Martha Raye is buried at Fort Bragg with the Special Forces soldiers and is the only civilian buried with them.
His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Vietnamese Honor Medal.
After retiring Clint became involved as a volunteer in not only the American Legion but as Director of the Quartermaster Foundation. He has given thousands of hours in mentoring young officers and soldiers and raising donations in support of the Quartermaster Museum. In 2012 he received the President's "Call to Service Award" for his lifetime volunteer achievements. In addition he was inducted into the Quartermaster Regimental Hall of Fame on 6 June 2013.
Go by and visit the Quartermaster Museum at Fort Lee. Clint Hodder had an interesting career and has many wonderful stories to tell. He is truly one of those veterans that served proudly, worked hard in his profession and will tell you he enjoyed every twist and turn of an illustrious career.
Clinton Hodder we salute you and thank you for your service to our Nation.