University of Utah honors 11 veterans on Veterans Day

One by one, they took the arm of an ROTC cadet and walked up the stairs and onto the stage.

Some walked slower than others. Two carried a cane. Two were in full dress uniform. All were stoic.

When they were all together on stage, the University of Utah had one more honor for them — a minute-long cannon volley from artillery placed in front of the Student Union building. Thunder and white smoke filled the Union Patio.

The U honored 11 veterans Tuesday in its annual Veterans Day ceremony. Among the honorees was retired Coast Guard Petty Officer 1st Class Tom Davis.

U records list Davis as the first Coast Guard recipient of the university's veterans medal. After the ceremony, Davis said people are surprised when he tells them he saw combat during the Vietnam War.

Over two tours from 1968 through 1970, Davis was assigned to patrol boats southeast of Saigon. During a patrol on Aug. 29, 1969, Davis noticed a cable across the river. He watched the boat in front of his get ambushed. The two boats were able to return fire and move up river, but they were attacked again on the way back. Davis was injured when a bullet struck and blew up his gun.

Davis left active duty and joined the reserves. In all, he served in the Coast Guard about 40 years, leaving in 2008. He is 66 and lives in West Haven.

"I hope I represent the Coast Guard well," Davis said after Tuesday's ceremony.

By far, the youngest veteran on the stage was Air Force Tech. Sgt. Zachary Jacobs. He joined the Air Force in 2005 and deployed to Afghanistan three times. He was assigned to a support unit that fought the war on the ground.

His units got into firefights with the Taliban while supporting special operations and while retrieving supplies that had been air dropped. He received a Bronze Star for helping evacuate wounded soldiers while under fire. He continues to serve in the Washington Air National Guard.

But on Tuesday, Jacobs didn't feel his valor was equal to that of the other honorees.

"Look who's on the stage with me," Jacobs said. "It's just crazy."

The ceremony took time to remember all veterans. The names of 15 previous U veteran honorees who died in the last year, most of them from World War II, were read aloud.

ncarlisle@sltrib.com

Twitter: @natecarlisle

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Veterans honored

The University of Utah held a full dress military ceremony and rifle salute Tuesday morning in the Union Ballroom in the Student Union.

Here is a look at the 11 veterans honored Tuesday at the University of Utah. For more about each veteran, go to http://veteransday.utah.edu.

• William Baucom, Marine Corps. During the Korean War, Baucom served as a mortarman, machine gunner and a sniper. The Chinese once captured Baucom and his spotter, but they escaped. Baucom is the recipient of the Purple Heart among other citations.

• Ray H. Bryant, Air Force. Bryant served for 30 years and flew bombing missions in Vietnam. He retired as a colonel. He resides in Kaysville. Bryant's medals include two Silver Stars and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

• Thomas E. Davis, Coast Guard. Records show Davis as the first Coast Guardsman to be honored at the university's annual Veterans Day ceremony. Davis served on watercraft conducting patrols in Vietnam. He later transferred to the Coast Guard Reserves. In all, he served about 40 years. His medals include the Purple Heart and Combat Action Ribbon.

• Eugene K. England, Army. England was drafted in 1944 and fought in the battle for Okinawa. When his unit's medics were killed, England dashed through enemy fire to care for the wounded. After World War II, he settled in St. George. England received the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Badge.

• Roy Lee Grover, Army Air Corp and Air Force. After completing a civilian pilot training course at the U in 1940, Grover joined the Army Air Corp. In one memorable bombing run against Japanese shipping in Wewak, New Guinea, Grover flew his B-25 between masts of ships. Grover retired in 1964 as a lieutenant colonel. His medals include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

• Kenneth B. Hancock, Army Air Corp. In 1944, Hancock thought he'd be flying transport planes. Instead he was assigned to fly B-25 bombers against Axis targets throughout Europe. Hancock flew 66 combat missions. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal.

• Zachary Jacobs, Air Force. The only one of Tuesday's honorees to have served in Afghanistan, Jacobs was deployed with ground units three times, coordinating air strikes and fighting enemies who would attempt to steal Air Force supply drops. His medals include the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart.

• Ronald C. Jones, Army. Jones first flew observation planes then helicopters in Vietnam. During the Tet Offensive, Jones flew 72 hours under fire evacuating wounded troops. Jones medals include the Silver Star, Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit.

• Paul V. Sersland, Army Air Corp. A gunner on a B-17 during World War II, Sersland, of Layton, flew 35 bombing missions, including the Christmas Eve 1944 bombing mission, the largest of the war, where almost 3,000 aircraft were sent to bomb targets in Germany. Sersland, who was discharged as a sergeant, received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.

• Patrick Watkins, Marine Corps and Army. For his service in Vietnam, Watkins may be Utah's most-decorated living veteran. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for helping repel an attack on an operating base near Da Nang in 1968. He also has five Bronze Stars, two Army Commendation Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals and three Air Medals. Watkins joined the Marines in 1957 and the Army seven years later. Watkins retired a master sergeant. He and his wife Carol, who also is a Marine veteran, live in Taylorsville.

• Raymond L. Yoss, Army. Yoss and fellow soldiers were captured by the North Koreans in 1950. Yoss spent 37 months as a prisoner of war. Yoss, of Manti, is the recipient of the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Watkins Patrick Watkins and wife, Carol Watkins, pose for a wedding photo in 1962 when both were in the Marines. Watkins, a Vietnam vet, will be one of the two grand marshals for Taylorsville's Veterans Day parade. He had three tours of duty, received two Purple Hearts, five Bronze Star medals and is up for a Distinguished Service Cross.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Watkins Patrick Watkins, center, receives a citation from Lt. Colonel Roy Bahr in Khe Sanh, Vietnamn in June 1968. Watkins, a Vietnam vet, will be one of the two grand marshals for Taylorsville's Veterans Day parade on Sunday. He had three tours of duty, received two Purple Hearts, five Bronze Star medals and is up for a Distinguished Service Cross, the military's second highest honor.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Patrick Watkins, pictured with his wife Carol, is about to become the first Vietnam War veteran from Utah to receive the Distinguished Service Cross. Watkins was photographed in Salt Lake City Tuesday May 13, 2014.

Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune Patrick Watkins is about to become the first Vietnam War veteran from Utah to receive the Distinguished Service Cross. Watkins was photographed in Salt Lake City Tuesday May 13, 2014.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Paul Sersland of Layton who was a machine gunner on a B-17 flying fortress in World War 2 takes a tour through the Memphis Belle at Airport 2 in West Jordan Monday May 13. Of special interest was the 50 millimeter side machine guns. He hasn't flown since 1954 but took a ride on the Memphis Belle today.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Paul Sersland of Layton who was a machine gunner on a B-17 flying fortress in World War 2 takes a tour through the Memphis Bell at Airport 2 in West Jordan Monday May 13. He hasn't flown since 1954 but took a ride on the Memphis Belle today.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Retired Sgt. Paul V. Sersland of Layton stands in front of a B-17 bomber and talks of his service as an aerial gunner on a B-17 and the 35 bombing raids he completed over Europe from October 1944 to March 1945. A Distinguished Flying Cross Medal presentation was awarded to retired Sgt. Paul V. Sersland from Layton and posthumously to 2nd Lt. Evan E. Allan Friday February 25, 2011 at the Lindquist-Hadley Fighter Gallery in the Hill Aerospace Museum. Major General Andrew E. Busch, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander, and former U.S. Senator Robert Bennett presented the awards.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Retired Sgt. Paul V. Sersland from Layton gets a hug and congratulations from Col. Kathryn Kolbe whose father also received the Flying Cross for his service in Vietnam. "It's an incredible act," said Kolbe. A Distinguished Flying Cross Medal presentation was awarded to retired Sgt. Paul V. Sersland from Layton and posthumously to 2nd Lt. Evan E. Allan Friday February 25, 2011 at the Lindquist-Hadley Fighter Gallery in the Hill Aerospace Museum. Major General Andrew E. Busch, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander, and former U.S. Senator Robert Bennett presented the awards.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune r-l Madeline Sersland, wife of Paul Sersland, her daughter-in-law Ceva Cottrell and her son Jerry Cottrell watch as Sgt. Paul V. Sersland receives the Flying Cross. A Distinguished Flying Cross Medal presentation was awarded to retired Sgt. Paul V. Sersland from Layton and posthumously to 2nd Lt. Evan E. Allan Friday February 25, 2011 at the Lindquist-Hadley Fighter Gallery in the Hill Aerospace Museum. Major General Andrew E. Busch, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander, and former U.S. Senator Robert Bennett presented the awards.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune l-r Major General Andrew E. Busch , former U.S. Senator Robert Bennett, Collan Allan and Paul V. Sersland. A Distinguished Flying Cross Medal presentation was awarded to retired Sgt. Paul V. Sersland from Layton and posthumously to 2nd Lt. Evan E. Allan Friday February 25, 2011 at the Lindquist-Hadley Fighter Gallery in the Hill Aerospace Museum. Major General Andrew E. Busch, Ogden Air Logistics Center commander, and former U.S. Senator Robert Bennett presented the awards.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Patrick Watkins, 74, a Vietnam vet, will be one of the two grand marshals for Taylorsville's Veterans Day parade. Watkins had three tours of duty, and received two Purple Heart and five Bronze Star medals. He's always been an avid runner, and ran in 29 marathons. These days, he stays in shape by walking three to five miles with his wife, Carol Watkins, and their dogs, Libby and Bernie.

Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune Patrick Watkins, 74, a Vietnam vet, will be one of the two grand marshals for Taylorsville's Veterans Day parade. Watkins had three tours of duty, received two Purple Hearts, five Bronze Star medals and is up for the military's second highest honor, a Distinguished Service Cross.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune The University of Utah holds its annual Veterans Day ceremony as it honors 11 Utah veterans during a ceremony at the Olpin Union Building which was followed by a 21-cannon salute.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune The University of Utah holds its annual Veterans Day ceremony as it honors 11 Utah veterans, including Zachary Jacobs, Ronald C. Jones, Paul V. Sersland and Patrick Watkins, from left, as people line up to thank them for their service following a ceremony at the Olpin Union Building.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Bag pipes start the festivities at the University of Utah for their annual Veterans Day ceremony where 11 Utah veterans were being honored at the Olpin Union Building.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Ruth Watkins, Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Utah places a medal on William "Bill" Baucom, a veteran of the Korean War, during the annual Veterans Day ceremony where it 11 Utah veterans were honored during a ceremony at the Olpin Union Building.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune The University of Utah holds its annual Veterans Day ceremony as it honors 11 Utah veterans with a medal during a ceremony at the Olpin Union Building.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Ruth Watkins, Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Utah picks up a medal meant for veteran Raymond Yoss during the annual Veterans Day ceremony to honor 11 Utah veterans at the Olpin Union Building on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune World War II veteran Kenneth B. Hancock who used to fly B-25 Mitchell bombers is announced before taking the stage for a ceremony at the University of Utah where 11 Utah veterans were honored.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune The University of Utah holds its annual Veterans Day ceremony as it honors 11 Utah veterans, including William "Bill" Baucom, Ray H. Bryant and Thomas E. Davis, from left, during a ceremony at the Olpin Union Building on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune World War II veteran Kenneth B. Hancock who used to fly B-25 Mitchell bombers makes his way to the stage as the University of Utah holds its annual Veterans Day ceremony to honor 11 Utah veterans.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Tom Hollingsworth, a veteran who was honored last year, attends the annual Veterans Day ceremony at the University of Utah where 11 Utah veterans were honored for their service during a ceremony at the Olpin Union Building.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Raymond L. Yoss, right, a veteran of the Korean War, joins 10 other veterans as the University of Utah holds its annual Veterans Day ceremony by honoring 11 Utah veterans during a ceremony at the Olpin Union Building.

University of Utah honors 11 veterans on Veterans Day

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