Meet
Our Chapter Officers
Major Bryan Hutchings (U.S. Air Force-Retired)
President
Major Hutchings was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1964 after completion of OTC subsequent to graduation from the University of Missouri where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in forestry. Following completion of basic navigation school and navigator-bombardier training, he was assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville AFB, AR, where he flew B-52’s, He subsequently flew C-141’s out of Norton AFB, CA, WC-130’s out of Anderson AFB, Guam, and FB-111’s out of Peas AFB, NH, and Plattsburg AFB, NY. Other assignments included Water Port Logistics Officer at Bayonne MOT, NJ and commander of an aerial port detachment at Dhahran IAP, Saudi Arabia. A Master Aviator, Major Hutchings had over 4,800 hours of flying time including 950 hours of combat time in Southeast Asia. His personal decorations include: the Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal (five devices; Meritorious Service Medal; and Air Force Commendation Medal. Following his retirement from the USAF in1984, Bryan served as a professional licensing investigator for the Missouri State Board for the Healing Arts for over 23 years where he retired as senior investigator in 2007. Bryan and his wife, Becky, have five children and seven grandchildren.
Captain Charley Hawkins (U.S. Naval Reserve-Retired)
First Vice-President
Captain Charley Hawkins is a native of Ash Grove, Missouri, who earned Bachelor’s, Master’s and Specialist degrees from Missouri State University and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He was commissioned in 1970 and served two years of active duty as the damage control assistant on the USS HAWKINS (DD-873). Charley remained active in the Naval Reserved until he retired in 1996. During that time he commanded several reserve units including Destroyer Squadrons 5/13/23; Naval Surface Readiness Unit, Joplin; and Military Sealift Command Far East. He was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal in 1990 for his performance as a member of the staff of Readiness Command Region Eighteen. In 1973 Charley began his civilian career in public education as a teacher at Ash Grove High School. He subsequently served as principal in the Ash Grove, Moberly, and Springfield school districts. He currently works part-time for the Transportation Security Administration. Charley and his wife, Janet, will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in February of 2011. They have three sons and two grandsons.
Colonel Steven Vanderhoof (Missouri Army National Guard-Retired)
Second Vice-President
Colonel "V" enlisted in the US Army in 1967 and served a three year tour of duty in Vietnam. Following a break in service, he joined the Missouri Army National Guard, earned a commission and served more than thirty years in positions from the company level to battalion commander. After several staff officer assignments, he became the XO of the Engr Bde, 35th ID, including a tour in Iraq as the Gulf Region Division of the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Upon return to MOARNG he was the Director for Military Support for JFHQ MOARNG. Colonel "V" served as the Program Support Specialist for the Missouri Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for five years until his retirement from both the Guard and the ESGR in 2009. He retired in April 2004 as a Postmaster from the US Postal Service with 34 years service. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Drury College and later a Masters Degree in Aviation Safety from Central Missouri State University. His military awards include, among others: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation, Meritorious Svc, and Army Commendation Medal. He currently resides in Springfield, Mo. and is Southwest Area Chair for the Missouri Committee, ESGR, and also is the President, Missouri Retirees Chapter of the National Association of Postmasters United States.
Major Phillip Dixon (Missouri Army National Guard-Retired)
Secretary
Born in the Missouri ‘Bootheel’, Major Dixon graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with an undergraduate degree in political science and a Master’s degree in Counseling. He enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard in 1964 as an E-2, and following graduation from the state OCS program, received his commission. He retired after serving twenty-two years as Platoon Leader, Company Commander and member of the Battalion Staff. Multiple reorganizations in the Missouri Guard structure resulted in his serving in various branches: mechanized infantry, medical service corps, and logistics. In civilian life Major Dixon was an executive for the Boy Scouts of America, high school administrator and the manager of a diverse corporation based in southeast Missouri. He is married with two sons and has lived in Springfield for two years. His hobbies include OEMOAA, Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve, travel and boating. He is an active member of the Second Baptist Church, Springfield.
Colonel Michael J. Murphy (Missouri Army National Guard-Retired)
Treasurer
Colonel is native of Springfield, Missouri, who from Missouri Officer Candidate School in 1968 after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Columbia College. He attended numerous military schools including Transportation Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Rotary Wing Qualification Course, Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, Fixed Wing Multi-Engine Airplane Course, U-21 Qualification and UH-1 High Altitude Training Courses, and Command & General Staff College. His military assignments during his 39 years of service included Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Commander of the 142nd Transportation Battalion; Maintenance Division Chief and Commander of AVCRAD 1107th; Commander 3rd Battalion 135th Aviation. He was a fixed wing pilot for 1105th AVCRAD and a helicopter pilot and safety officer for A Company 935th DASB. A Master Army Aviator, Colonel Murphy’s military decorations include Legion of Merit medal, Meritorious Service medal, Army Commendation medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement medal with oak leaf cluster, Missouri Commendation award. His civilian occupation was production operations manager/print buyer for Gospel Publishing House, Assemblies of God Headquarters, in Springfield