Maj. Dean C. Hammond, Jr.
Branch of Service: Army
Military Occupation: Aviator
Years of Service: 1968-1997
Dean Hammond enlisted in the Army in 1968 and served in Vietnam. On a mission in 1971, his aircraft was hit and, with extensive damage to his right leg, he was able to right the aircraft and fly 40 minutes to safely land his plane. He completed his career in the KY National Guard flying helicopters for the Marijuana Strike Force.
Dean spent his years after serving in the Army fulfilling Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.” He held many Rotary offices, including president of the 25th largest club out of the 35,000 worldwide and District Governor for over 36 clubs in Kentucky. In 2010, he led the volunteer effort for food concessions at the 16-day World Equestrian games at the KY Horse Park. Because of those efforts, the Rotary Foundation received $155,000. He helped in the development of software to manage low-income housing operations and testified in Washington, D.C., on homelessness.