2023 Hall of Fame Inductee
University of North Georgia (1962)
Col. (Ret.) Earnest Dill was born on November 26, 1944, in Georgia. After being inspired by his older brother Harold, Dill decided to join Army ROTC at North Georgia College, now known as University of North Georgia, where he studied Business Administration. In 1962 he graduated as the Distinguished Military graduate and commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Infantry.
Dill served in company level assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division. In 1964 he was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Bad Toelz, Germany as an Executive Officer. He was the Detachment Commander before being assigned to the 101st Airborne Division.
Dill commanded two rifle companies and received two awards for valor during two tours in Vietnam. He received the Army Commendation Medal with V device for valor and Silver Star in 1966 for leadership in combat near Dak To, Vietnam.
In 1968 he was assigned to the Vietnamese Airborne Division Advisory Detachment (Team 162) as an advisor. In early 1969, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross & Bronze Star with V device for valor.
Dill commanded 3rd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment in Fort Kobbe and then the 193rd Combat Support Battalion in the Panama Canal Zone. He was the Senior Active Duty Advisor to the 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard and later served as the Director of Plans and Training, and then Director of Training and Doctrine at the Infantry Center and School.
After 26 years in service Dill retired in 1988. His military awards and honors include Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with “V”, Bronze Star (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal- (three awards), Air Medal (four awards), Army Commendation Medal with “V”, Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Master Parachutist Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge and the Ranger Tab.
After his military retirement, he continued serving the country with 20 years in the Education support field. This devotion to higher education culminated with his role as the Associate Vice President of the Environmental Safety Division at the University of Georgia. There he led UGA’s team that provided Physical Plant support for the Olympic Games in Athens, GA in 1996 and initiated many programs including: the campus recycling program, a Physical Plant mentoring program; and a recognition program for Physical Plant custodians.
Dill has also volunteered for 15 years with the Athens Community Council on Aging ‘Meals on Wheels’ program in Athens, Georgia. Today, he continues service by volunteering with the University of North Georgia and the Corps of Cadets by serving as a University of North Georgia Foundation Trustee and advisor on the University of North Georgia Corps of Cadets Advisory Council.
About the Army ROTC Hall of Fame
The ROTC Hall of Fame was established in 2016 as part of the ROTC Centennial celebration. The first class (2016) inducted 326 former ROTC Cadets who had distinguished themselves in their military or civilian career.
The Hall of Fame honors graduates of the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps who have distinguished themselves in military or civilian pursuits. It provides a prestigious and tangible means of recognizing and honoring Army ROTC Alumni who have made lasting, significant contributions to the Nation, the Army and the history and traditions of the Army ROTC Program.
Read more about the 2023 Hall of Fame Inductees.
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