William Wacker’s 20-year military career included a year of service in Vietnam. Today Wacker is the quartermaster at the Ray Davis VFW Post #4302 and the District 7 commander. By JAMIE PATTERSON
Managing Editor

William Wacker said he doesn’t feel like a hero.
The Vietnam veteran has been called one on more than one occasion by friends and complete strangers.
“But I’m not a hero,” he said. “The real heroes are the ones who are no longer with us.”
Wacker, who moved to Yazoo County in the 1970s, has taken an incredible journey through his life in the military. Joining the Army when he was 20, Wacker spent two decades serving his country.
“I enjoyed my time in the military, all of it,” he said. “I really did.”
Wacker, an Iowa native, joined the Army in 1954. A peace treaty had just been signed with the Korean War, and America was getting back to normal.
“The job I was working at didn’t pay very well,” Wacker said. “I knew where I could get a permanent job and stay employed. That is when I decided to join the Army.”
His brother Forrest had served in the Korean War. Many of his uncles also served in the military, particularly World War II.
“It was a natural pick for me,” he said. “I didn’t care to be on the water, and I didn’t want to fly. So the Army was where I wanted to be.”
Like many young men, Wacker was excited about his new venture.
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