FORT JACKSON, S.C. (Jan. 22, 2015) -- Command Sgt. Maj. William Hyman now has a permanent association with the U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School.
Friends and family of the school's first commandant gathered on post, Jan. 15, as a section of the building was named in his honor. The section of the building that houses the school's command group is now known as Hyman Hall, in recognition of the late Soldier's accomplishments.
Hyman, who died in 2010, spent more than 20 years in the Army, retiring in 1975. In addition to leading the training of new drill sergeants when the school was first established, Hyman's career involved two tours of Vietnam and assignments in Korea, Japan, and Germany.
Command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian, the school's current commandant, took the podium for the ceremony to introduce the day's guest speakers.
"In order to understand the impact that Sgt. Maj. Hyman had, not only on Soldiers, family and friends, you have to hear that message from his friends and family," he told the gathering, which also included many former and current drill sergeants.
"He loved the Army and he wore his uniform with great pride," said Hyman's widow, Valerie. "I was fortunate enough to be married to him for 52 years."
While it was unlikely he would have sought out accolades for himself, she said her family was sure the building dedication would have made him happy.
"I'm sure we never thought such an honor would be bestowed on him," she said. "But, I'm sure he's looking down on us today with a smile on his face, very pleased."
After retiring from the Army, Hyman worked for the Kershaw County Sheriff's Department. He later became a municipal judge in Elgin.
"It's a great honor for the Hyman name," said his nephew, William Hyman.
The elder William Hyman was a big influence on his nephew, even counseling him on his own career in the Army.
"My uncle was a mentor for me," he said. "In fact, he's the one who encouraged me to strive for that. When you're an NCO [non-commissioned officer], your job is to look after Soldiers. When I made sergeant major, I understand where he was coming from."
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