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COL (Ret) William J. Chilcoat
Jack Chilcoat graduated from Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth, Texas, in June 1939. In the fall of that same year, he entered North Texas Agricultural, Texas. He quickly won recognition in the Cadet Corps by winning the Best Drilled Cadet Award and becoming a member of the Sam Houston Rifles. He was a member of the Student-Faculty Committee and the honor society, Phi Kappa Theta. During his three years at NTAC, he advanced through the cadet ranks, becoming the Cadet Colonel for the school year 1941-42. During this period, he also served in the Texas National Guard (36th Infantry Division) and in the enlisted reserves. Chilcoat then went to Texas A&M where he completed the ROTC program and received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He entered active Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry on November 23, 1943. After a short period with school troops at Fort Benning, he was assigned to Company “D”, 414th Regiment, 104th Infantry Division. His unit entered combat in Europe on September 1944 in Holland. Chilcoat ended World War II in Europe as Commander of the Regimental Intelligence and Reconnaissance platoon. Jack was discharged after World War II to the Army Reserve. While in civilian life, he entered The University of Texas at Austin’s Law School. He graduated with a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1948. On the Outbreak of the Korean War, he was recalled to active duty. He was sent to Germany where he received multiple legal assignments. Chilcoat decided to transfer to the Army Judge Advocate Corps where he became a full-time military lawyer. He also received his Regular Army commission. Colonel Chilcoat is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the War College. His long and distinguished military career ended on August 31, 1970 after more than thirty-one years of service.
His decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, two Army Commendation Medals, and the coveted Combat Infantryman’s Badge, plus many service medals and citations. Colonel William J. Chilcoat, by his dedication and exemplary action in both peace and war, has brought honor and distinction to himself, The University of Texas at Arlington and the United States Army.