By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Stewart MEDDAC CSM to retire
WEB CSM William C. Carver III
Command Sgt. Maj. William C. Carver III, command sergeant major for Medical and Dental Activity Command, Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, addresses his troops Friday after a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony at Marne Garden.

Command Sgt. Maj. William C. Carver III, command sergeant major for Medical and Dental Activity Command at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, has worn an Army uniform for 30 years, but he soon will replace his uniform with a golf shirt, Bermuda shorts and golf shoes.
Following Friday morning’s relinquishment of responsibility ceremony at Marne Garden, Carver will transition out of the Army on terminal leave with a retirement date of June 1.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Carver, thank you for your service,” said Col. Ronald Place, MEDDAC and Winn Army Community Hospital commander, following the official ceremony in which a sword was handed off to Carver by the interim command sergeant major, Sgt. Maj. Thomas Wrighton Jr., to Place then back to Wrighton. “You are a tremendously talented leader, particularly in the art of motivation. You have a left a legacy for the rest of us to follow.”
Place welcomed Wrighton to the command team where he’ll serve until the Department of the Army names a new command sergeant major. He concluded his remarks by asking Carver to continue to tell his story and the Army story.
Carver began his military career as a behavior science specialist at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., in 1982. He was assigned to Stewart-Hunter in May 2011. Previous assignments include Fort Huachuca, Ariz.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; and Fort Benning. He also served a tour in Korea, two tours in Germany, a tour in Bosnia, a tour in Kosovo and three tours in Iraq.
Among a long list of awards and medals, Carver has three Bronze Star Medals and three Meritorious Service Medals, as well as the Combat Medical Badge and Air Assault Badge. He also received the Order of Medical Military Merit.
Born in Fayetteville, N.C., Carver grew up in the Army then joined the Army. He has an associate’s degree in business management and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He is married to the former Zephronnia Alexander. They have two children, Jason and Janay.
“Y’all don’t sound as enthused as I am,” Carver said among cheers and applause as he began his own remarks. “I want to thank you, NCOs and soldiers.  You’re the best.”
He kept his remarks short, reminding those present that he needed to be brief because his soldiers were needed back at the hospital and clinics. He specifically thanked Place and Command Sgt. Maj. Edd Watson, 3rd Infantry Division command sergeant major, for their support and advice. He also thanked his wife for supporting him through his long military career.
Following the ceremony, Carver said he doesn’t have any immediate plans for his next career. He plans to return to his home in Columbus, a city he and his wife fell in love with years ago. He said he wants to take some time off for himself and his family, and maybe get to play golf a lot more often.
“When you’re in the Army, it’s really a six-day-a-week job because you’re not really off all day most Saturdays,” he said. “And Sunday is a day you need to spend time with family. I look forward to being able to play golf on weekdays and maybe even improving my game.”
According to Winn public affairs officer Michelle Gordon, a new MEDDAC command sergeant major is expected to be named in April for Stewart-Hunter by the Department of the Army.

Sign up for our E-Newsletters
Exchange Service salutes Vietnam vets with custom truck design
Army and Air Force Exchange Service redesigned logo 2011

To thank Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is debuting a new truck design, part of the Department of Defense retailer’s efforts alongside the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration to honor veterans during the 50th anniversary of the war.

“The Exchange is privileged to have the opportunity to recognize Vietnam veterans through our fleet,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull, who served in the Army during the Vietnam era. “These trucks will serve as rolling billboards, expressing gratitude for all who served during this era.”

The truck design features the silhouette of a lone service member set against the background of a faded horizon with a call to “thank a Vietnam veteran for service to our nation.” The single military member represents the warfighters who served during this time.

Three trucks in the fleet feature the commemorative design and will deliver merchandise to Exchange stores from the organization’s distribution centers in the continental United States.

The West Coast Distribution Center at Sharpe Army Depot in California; Dan Daniel Distribution Center in Newport News, Va.; and the Waco Distribution Center in Texas will each have a truck in service on their standard delivery routes, serving the whole country.

Air Force veteran Pat Thompson served in Vietnam before coming to the Exchange as a truck driver and mechanic. In his 18 years with the Exchange, he has deployed four times to support the troops. The new design means a lot to him.

“They remember,” said Thompson, who is based at the Exchange’s Waco Distribution Center. “We want to be remembered.”

The trucks also highlight the veteran online shopping benefit, which launched in November. The lifelong online military exchange benefit authorizes all who served honorably to enjoy tax-free shopping and exclusive military pricing at ShopMyExchange.com.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is a program administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The U.S. began commemoration of the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary in 2012 and will continue through Veterans Day 2025.

The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize Vietnam veterans and their families for service, valor and sacrifice in conjunction with the commemoration.

Latest Obituaries