William Atwater
Encyclopedia
William Felix Atwater is an author and former Director of the United States Army Ordnance Museum
in Aberdeen, Maryland
, United States
. He is a 1968 graduate of Berea College
in Berea, Kentucky
and holds a Bachelor of Arts
degree in history and political science with a minor in philosophy and religion. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a Lieutenant
in the Marines
and served as an officer for 10 years. He commanded a Marine Corps rifle platoon
during the Vietnam War
where he received the Purple Heart
, a Navy Commendation Medal, and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Promoted to Captain, he served all over the world in various assignments and attended numerous military schools. After military service he attended Duke University
where he was awarded an Master of Arts
and a Ph.D
in military history
. In 1985 he assumed the directorship of the 101st Airborne/Air Assault Divisional Museum and in 1989 took over responsibilities at the United States Army Ordnance Museum
.
Atwater is the contributor on the topic of grenades, mortars
, and land mines in the Oxford Companion to American Military History (2000). He has appeared as a firearms and ordnance expert in many documentaries regarding military history on such television stations as The History Channel, TLC
, Discovery Channel
, and The Military Channel
. He has also made foreign television appearances such as British Broadcasting.
Atwater’s civilian awards include an Excellence in Federal Service Award, an Outstanding Civilian Service Award
, the Commander's Award for Public Service
, and the Order of Samuel Sharpe.
Atwater is currently engaged in trying to preserve some of the last remaining historic military asset
s in the world
. Atwater said of the Ordnance Museum Foundation that "It is our moral and legal responsibility to preserve military assets".
United States Army Ordnance Museum
The U.S. Army Ordnance Museum is a museum that is in the process of being re-located to Fort Lee, in Fort Lee, Virginia. Its previous building—at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland—was closed in September 2010, although many outdoor exhibits are still accessible to the...
in Aberdeen, Maryland
Aberdeen, Maryland
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,842 people, 5,475 households, and 3,712 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,166.2 people per square mile . There were 5,894 housing units at an average density of 922.4 per square mile...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He is a 1968 graduate of Berea College
Berea College
Berea College is a liberal arts work college in Berea, Kentucky , founded in 1855. Current full-time enrollment is 1,514 students...
in Berea, Kentucky
Berea, Kentucky
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 9,851 people, 3,693 households, and 2,426 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,055.4 people per square mile . There were 4,115 housing units at an average density of 440.9 per square mile...
and holds a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in history and political science with a minor in philosophy and religion. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and served as an officer for 10 years. He commanded a Marine Corps rifle platoon
Platoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
where he received the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, a Navy Commendation Medal, and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Promoted to Captain, he served all over the world in various assignments and attended numerous military schools. After military service he attended Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
where he was awarded an Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
and a Ph.D
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in military history
Military history
Military history is a humanities discipline within the scope of general historical recording of armed conflict in the history of humanity, and its impact on the societies, their cultures, economies and changing intra and international relationships....
. In 1985 he assumed the directorship of the 101st Airborne/Air Assault Divisional Museum and in 1989 took over responsibilities at the United States Army Ordnance Museum
United States Army Ordnance Museum
The U.S. Army Ordnance Museum is a museum that is in the process of being re-located to Fort Lee, in Fort Lee, Virginia. Its previous building—at Aberdeen Proving Ground in Aberdeen, Maryland—was closed in September 2010, although many outdoor exhibits are still accessible to the...
.
Atwater is the contributor on the topic of grenades, mortars
Mortar (weapon)
A mortar is an indirect fire weapon that fires explosive projectiles known as bombs at low velocities, short ranges, and high-arcing ballistic trajectories. It is typically muzzle-loading and has a barrel length less than 15 times its caliber....
, and land mines in the Oxford Companion to American Military History (2000). He has appeared as a firearms and ordnance expert in many documentaries regarding military history on such television stations as The History Channel, TLC
TLC (TV channel)
TLC is an American cable TV specialty channel which initially focused on educational content. Since 1991 TLC has been owned by Discovery Communications, the same company that operates the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet and The Science Channel, as well as other learning-themed networks...
, Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel is an American satellite and cable specialty channel , founded by John Hendricks and distributed by Discovery Communications. It is a publicly traded company run by CEO David Zaslav...
, and The Military Channel
Military Channel
The Military Channel is a cable and satellite television network which broadcasts television programming related to the military, warfare and military history. It is part of the group of networks owned by Discovery Communications within the United States and Canada...
. He has also made foreign television appearances such as British Broadcasting.
Atwater’s civilian awards include an Excellence in Federal Service Award, an Outstanding Civilian Service Award
Outstanding Civilian Service Award
The Outstanding Civilian Service Award is the third highest honor within the Department of the Army Civilian Awards scheme, that the United States Department of the Army can bestow upon a private citizen.-Eligibility:...
, the Commander's Award for Public Service
Commander's Award for Public Service
The Commander's Award for Public Service is the fourth highest honor the United States Department of the Army can bestow upon a civilian, ranking directly below the Outstanding Civilian Service Award.-Eligibility:...
, and the Order of Samuel Sharpe.
Atwater is currently engaged in trying to preserve some of the last remaining historic military asset
Military asset
In military usage, a military asset is a weapon or means of production of weapons or other defensive or offensive devices or capabilities.-Description:...
s in the world
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
. Atwater said of the Ordnance Museum Foundation that "It is our moral and legal responsibility to preserve military assets".
External links
- US Army Ordnance Museum - Dr. Atwater is the Director