Military
Jim Baird is an American hero.

He spent 2 years in the ROTC program at Purdue University followed by Basic Training at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, then Advanced Individual Training (AIT)-Engineer at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri.

After graduating from Officers Candidate School (OCS) as a 2nd Lieutenant at Ft. Benning, Georgia, he returned to Fort Leonard Wood and served as an Officer in a troop training battalion. After receiving orders for Vietnam he was sent to the Panama Canal Zone for two weeks of Jungle Warfare Training. He was rated expert in the use of all weapons, hand to hand combat and jungle warfare.

He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army in the Republic of Southeast Asia (Vietnam) He received a Bronze Star with “V” device, two Purple Hearts w/ Oak Leaf Cluster for his courage and valor in the face of a hostile enemy(combat). His unit was the first unit from Vietnam to be selected for the United States Army Hall of Fame because of the courage and valor displayed by him and his men and how effectively they performed their duties in combat.

He knows first hand what the phrases “ Freedom is not Free” and “Some Gave All and All Gave Some” actually means and the tribute those words mean for the sacrifices veterans and their families gave to protect this country from our adversaries.