Serving our country is a family tradition for the Black family

Willie E. Black was born Nov. 17, 1892.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army Oct. 3, 1917 and served in France during World War 1 from April 9, 1918 until July 22, 1919.

After being honorably discharged on July 30, 1919 he later married Maggie Butler. The couple had five children, Opal B. Bailey, Carl B. Black, Margaret Ruth Weeks, Nina E.Williams and Willie E. (Bill) Black.

Both sons and one granddaughter also served in the military.

Carl Black, Korean War

Carl B. Black was inducted into the U.S. Army Dec. 1, 1950, during the Korean War. He completed basic training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He served in a combat zone one year in Korea in an Army Medical Service Unit from the spring of 1951 to the spring of 1952.

Upon his return from Korea, Carl completed his active service at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

On Sept. 14, 1952, he was transferred to and remained in the inactive Army Reserve until his discharge in 1956.

Bill Black enlisted in the Air Force in August, 1963 and completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.

During his 22 years of service, he was stationed at Elgin AFB in Florida; Travis AFB, California; Grissom AFB, Indiana; Ricken-Backer AFB, Ohio; Offett AFB, Nebraska; and Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.

His various temporary tours of duty included one month in Spain.

Bill was also stationed in Thailand during the Vietnam War from December 1969 to December 1970.

For his outstanding service, Bill received numerous awards which included several Good Conduct medals, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon, Vietnam Service Ribbon and Meritorious Service Medals.

Bill retired from the Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant (E8) in August 1985.

Robin L. Vice Robinson, daughter of Cecil and Nina E. Williams, and the late Hebert G, Vice and the granddaughter of Willie E. Black enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on Nov. 6, 1975. She completed her basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama and was assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 400th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 100th Division (training), Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.

She served as a clerk typist, unit clerk, career counselor and Administrative Personnel Sergeant in various units with the 100th Division.

During her 21 years of service, she received the Army Service Ribbon,

Non-commissined Officer Professional Development Ribbon(3), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2), Army Reserve Component Ach-ievement Medal (5) National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2) Army Commendation Medal (4) and Meritorious Service Medal (2).

Robin retired as a Staff Sergeant (E6) on Sept. 14, 1997.