At the American Legion Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr. Post 214 General Meeting Bob Dill was awarded "The Order of the Palmetto" the State’s highest civilian award the State of South Carolina can give. The award was presented on behalf of SC Gov. Henry McMaster by former Speaker of the South Carolina House of Representatives and former United States Ambassador to Canada, the Honorable David Wilkins.
Bob Dill was born in Greenville County in 1932. He attended Greenville County School and graduated Clemson College in 1955. Upon his graduation from Clemson. Bob Dill reported for active duty with the United States Army. In addition to his undergraduate degree Bob earned a Master’s degree from Oklahoma State and attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College. Bob Dill's military service included assignments in South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Hawaii, Washington D.C. Germany, Korea, and Vietnam. He served various assignments including Commander of a Tank unit in Germany and control of nuclear weapons in the CWPAC Airborne Command Post in the Pacific, reorganizing and placing under central management 138 Army Commissary Stores with more than 10,000 employees worldwide as well as directing the organization for six years, after the war in Vietnam was terminated Colonel Dill's military honors include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Services Commendation Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal and Air Crewman Wings.
Colonel Dill has been married to the former LaVerle Griffin for sixty-three years. They have two Sons, Four Grandchildren, and three Great Grandsons. In May 1994 Colonel Dill founded "The Times Examiner" a weekly newspaper that became a labor of love in retirement, and he has served as Publisher and Editor in Chief since that time.
The ceremony was sponsored by The American Legion Rudolf Anderson, Jr. Post 214 at Taylors First Baptist Church with several dignitaries making remarks. The event was attended by members of Post 214 and about fifty family and friends of the recipient. Master of Ceremonies was newly elected District 5 Commander Carroll Kelley. Guest were welcomed by Post 214 Commander Clyde Rector.
Bobby M. Dill: Order of the Palmetto from Thomas Hanson on Vimeo.