Foil: 28 Panel: 4 Column: 2 Line: 14

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Mrs. Marla Hamm

SSgt Darrell Len Hamm, is a loadmaster with the 118th Airlift Squadron at Barryfield Air National Guard in Nashville, Tennessee. Along with his duty as a loadmaster, SSgt Hamm fulfills active duty orders as an Honor Guardsmen and pays tribute to the families of fallen shoulders and retirees. SSgt Hamm assumes his duty in the Air Guard with great pride.

During his enlistment, SSgt Hamm has flown several missions in the back of a C-130, including flight with the first relief plane into New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina as well as duty on a mission in Afghanistan in 2007 to transport soldiers and supplies for the war on Terrorism. SSgt Hamm loves serving his country and in the fall of 2004 when advised not to join the military he responded, "Then I will never have the honor of having served my country in a time of crisis".

SSgt Hamm’s, know as Leny to all his friends, involvement with flight did not just begin with his 2004 enlistment in the USAF. To the United States Air Force he is Staff Sergeant but to many others he is known as Lt. Col Hamm with the Civil Air Patrol Flight Program. Leny truly got his start in flight as a young man and has volunteered his services to the CAP program for 26 years. Through out those years he grew as a cadet and moved up the ranks with exceptional achievements. Some of these achievements include 28 awards and decorations, 7 Commander's Commendation Awards, 3 Meritorious Service Awards, and 2 Exceptional Service Awards. At the age of 16, Leny achieved the Carl A. Spaatz Award # 821 and was awarded Cadet of the year. During that same year Leny took his first solo flight as a pilot. Along with his achievements he mentored many other cadets and is responsible for inspiring those cadets to join the military. Many of his cadets are now Officers with the Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines. Their admiration and respect for him call them to salute him instead of demanding a salute for themselves and their own rank.

SSgt Hamm has dedicated his body, mind, and soul to aviation and his country and even though his greatness is seen in the achievements he has, his true greatness can be found in his character and the love he has for his family and friends. SSgt Darrell Len Hamm, your family and friends salute you.