Hackler, Thomas M., Sr., 1SG

Working with "Together We Served" Military Site.

Thomas M. Hackler Sr., 66, passed away on Monday, December 26, 2011, at Parkwest Hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was born on April 10, 1945, in Sparta, Tennessee the son of the late Charlie M. and Francis E. (Revell) Hackler. He married the former Cheryl Gardner on June 6, 1966, in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and she survives. Other survivors include one daughter and son in law: Vielka and Jerry Wilcox of Minneapolis, Minnesota, two sons and a daughter in law: Thomas and Tina Hackler Jr. of East Alton, Illinois, David Hackler and his partner: Mike Volkenant of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, six grandchildren: Luke and Katrina Schlusser, Lori Jo, Mary, Tommy, and Ben Hackler, one great granddaughter: Ella, one sister and brother in law: Amy and Ricky Puckett of Jonesboro, Georgia, one brother: Joe Hackler of Athens, Tennessee.
 

He retired from the United States Army after serving for 20 years. He served three tours in Germany and two tours in Vietnam earning a Silver Star and three Bronze Stars. He taught JROTC at Cretin High School in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was a member of the Bethalto American Legion Post #214 and the Wood River VFW Post #2859. He was the Memorial Team Leader and the Historian specializing in Vietnam era profiles for togetherweserved.com.

He was preceded in death by three sisters: Patsy, Betty Jean, Helen, four brothers: Calvin, Buford, Chuck, and Randy. 
 

In celebration of his life, memorial visitation will be from 12pm until time of memorial services at 2pm on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River. Full military honors will be conducted by the Ritual Team of VFW Post 1308 of Alton.
 

Memorials are suggested to the family and will be accepted at the funeral home. All memorials that are accepted will be given to togetherweserved.com in remembrance of him. Memorials in his name may be mailed to Pitchford Funeral Home, P.O. Box 626, Wood River, Illinois 62095.

http://www.pitchfordfuneralhome.com/html/thomas_m__hackler_sr.html

I was in the Infantry For 17 years and went to the Artillery as a 13F40
and made 1SG. Two tours in Viet Nam.
Mac- V Team 99 '' 25 th ARVN Recon

operations (ones I Know of). Ben Luc, Luong- Hoa, Duc. - Hoa, Chi,Tan My, Tay Ninh, Doc Hoa 3d Corp , Chu Chi, and Dong Ha (DMZ) Quang Tri
Laos Border, Rubber Plantation
Hill 151 (LZ Chloe)

23d Americal E Co. 2d Bn 1st Inf. 196th LIB. / 11th LIB DMZ to Da Nang
EOD School 23d Americal Div. 120 hours
Vietnamese language School Ft Bliss TX.
First Sergeant School Ft Bliss TX. Class 5-83


I have had a very Good Life. (Not done yet). The Best of my Life was being Military
working with good Troopers and having good Leadership that
maded me Strong. People I will never forget.
I Salute you and say ''Thank you. Job well DONE.