Editor’s note: Click here to read about the Quilt of Valor® presentation for William G. Brackemyer on Veterans Day, November 11, 2023.
Major William G. Brackemyer, U. S. Army (Retired) enlisted in the U. S. Army on October 10, 1988, under the delayed entry program. This Morrison, IL, resident entered active service on July 21, 1989, at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, where he completed Basic and Advanced Individual Training as a Combat Engineer. His first Duty Assignment was with A Co. 54th Engineer Battalion, 130th Engineer Brigade in Wildflecken, Germany, from October 1989 to February 1992. The unit deployed to the Persian Gulf, in support of Operation Desert Storm, from January to May 1991 and was attached to 1st Armored Division. The Division and its attached support elements played a key role in the defeat of the Iraqi Republican Guard, most notably at the “Battle of Medina Ridge.”
From February 1992 to November 1992, Bill was assigned to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 5th Infantry Division at Fort Polk, LA. As an additional Duty Assignment, he completed Red Cross Lifeguard Certification and was selected as the Head Lifeguard at North Fort Swimming Pool. Following the deactivation of the 5th Infantry Division, Bill was assigned to the 17th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, at Fort Hood, TX, from November 1992 through July 1993.
Following his active duty service, he enlisted into the Illinois Army National Guard, where he continued his service until his retirement in November 2018. During his nearly 26 years with the National Guard, he was assigned to multiple locations with various units; for 20 years he would call the Marseilles[, IL,] Training Center home. Bill deployed as a member of G Battery, 1/202 Air Defense Artillery, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from October 2003 to February 2005, where he served as a Platoon Sergeant. The unit was attached to 1st Infantry Division. For his service and accomplishments as a member of the Air Defense Artillery, he was inducted into a military Honor Society, the “Order of Saint Barbara,” the patron saint of artillerymen.
A year later in April 2006, he received a Direct Commission and traded in his hard-earned stripes for a gold bar. Bill continued to serve as an Engineer Officer in Marseilles, and his service culminated with his becoming Company Commander. Brackemyer deployed again to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, from October 2008 to August 2009. The unit found itself split up and scattered throughout the area of operations. He was assigned as Camp Commandant at Camp Morehead, Afghanistan, supporting the Special Operations Command–to train and equip the Afghan Commando Forces. The remainder of his service was in support of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team as a Staff Officer.
Enlisted Duty Assignments include Team Leader; Air Defense Coordination NCO; Squad Leader; Platoon Sergeant.
Officer Assignments include Platoon Leader; Operations Officer; Engineer Staff Officer; Company Commander; Assistant Battalion S-3; Battalion S-3 Plans Officer; Assistant Brigade Engineer.
Military Schools
Brackemyer attended 18 courses of training from 1989 through 2017 at various locations, which included Fort McCoy, WI; Fort Leonard Wood, MO; Fort Riley, KS; Fort Sill, OK; Camp Ball, LA; Camp Cook, LA.
Courses included Professional Leadership Development Course; Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course; Advanced Non-Commissioned Officer Course; Air Load Planners Course; Military Transition Team Training; Basic Officer Leadership Course; Engineer Officer Branch Course; Engineer Captains Career Course.
U. S. and Foreign State Decorations and Badges
These reports contain reports of exemplary service, resourcefulness, skill, knowledge, leadership, professionalism, and exceptionally meritorious service.
Bronze Star Medal: “FOR EXCEPTIONAL MERITORIOUS SERVICE AND SELFLESS DEDICATION DURING OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM WHILE SERVING AS FIRST PLATOON SERGEANT, SFC WILLIAM G. BRACKEMYER’S OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP TRAITS AND UNTIRING DEDICATION TO SOLDIERS LEAD TO THE SUCCESS OF OVER 100 COMBAT MISSIONS AND GREATLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PLATOON AND UNIT MISSION. SFC WILLIAM G. BRACKEMYER’S DEDICATION TO HIS FELLOW SOLDIERS ON THE BATTLEFIELD UPHOLDS THE FINEST TRADITIONS OF MILITARY SERVICE[…. [IT] REFLECTS GREAT CREDIT UPON HIMSELF, G BATTERY 202ND AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY, OLD HICKORY, TANK FORCE DANGER, AND THE UNITED STATES ARMY.”
Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award)
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal (4th Award)
Army Good Conduct Medal
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (3rd Award)
National Defense Service Ribbon (2nd Award)
Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 Campaign Stars)
Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 Campaign Star)
Iraqi Campaign Medal (2 Campaign Stars)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (M Device)
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (10 Year Device)
Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award)
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award)
NATO ISAF Medal (Non Article 5)
Kuwait Liberation Medal-SA
Kuwait Liberation Medal-K
Illinois Abraham Lincoln Medal of Freedom (2nd Award)
Illinois Long and Honorable Service Medal (2nd Award)
Illinois Military Attendance Ribbon (11th Award)
Combat Action Badge
Drivers Badge-Tracked.