Victor "Vic" Hite

Board Treasurer

American Patriot, Combat Veteran, and Lifelong Servant

Victor “Vic” Hite embodies the highest ideals of American military service, with a distinguished 24-year career spanning three branches of the armed forces and two major conflicts that defined generations.¹ From the jungles of Vietnam to the skies over Iraq, his journey represents an extraordinary commitment to defending freedom and supporting those who serve.

Vietnam War Service: The Foundation of Courage

In 1968, at the height of the Vietnam conflict, Victor Hite answered his nation’s call by entering the United States Army.² Assigned to the legendary 1st Air Cavalry Division, Infantry, he served in one of the most innovative and battle-tested units of the war.³ The 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) pioneered air assault warfare tactics that would revolutionize military operations for decades to come.⁴

During his service in Vietnam, Vic demonstrated exceptional courage under fire, earning the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat.⁵ This decoration, established by General George Washington in 1782, represents the profound sacrifices made by America’s combat wounded.⁶ His service came during one of the most challenging periods of the conflict, as American forces engaged in intense combat operations throughout South Vietnam.⁷

Continued Service: Air National Guard Years

Following his return from Vietnam, Vic transitioned to the California Air National Guard in 1971, continuing his military service while beginning to build a civilian life.⁸ For five years, he served his state and nation as a citizen-soldier, maintaining military readiness during the Cold War’s détente period while standing ready to respond to California’s emergency needs.⁹

Return to Service: Air Force Reserves and Desert Storm

After a decade in civilian life, Vic’s commitment to service drew him back to uniform in 1986, this time with the United States Air Force Reserves.¹⁰ He found his calling as an in-flight air refueling instructor, mastering one of aviation’s most demanding specialties.¹¹ As a boom operator instructor on KC-135 Stratotankers and KC-10 Extenders, he became part of the backbone of America’s global reach capability.¹²

In 1991, Vic deployed to Operation Desert Storm as part of the massive coalition air campaign that liberated Kuwait.¹³ Air refueling specialists like Vic were essential to the operation’s success, enabling coalition aircraft to maintain continuous pressure on Iraqi forces throughout the 42-day air campaign that preceded the 100-hour ground war.¹⁴ His expertise ensured that fighter jets, bombers, and reconnaissance aircraft could remain airborne for extended missions, projecting American airpower across the theater of operations.¹⁵

A Unique Legacy: Father-Daughter Service

In 1987, Vic’s military service took on a deeply personal dimension when his daughter, born during his Vietnam deployment, joined the Air Force Reserves alongside him.¹⁶ For eight remarkable years, father and daughter served in the same squadron—a rare privilege that Vic describes as one of his most cherished experiences.¹⁷ This unique partnership represented not just shared service but a powerful testament to the values of duty and patriotism passed between generations.¹⁸

Civilian Career: Leadership in Transportation and Aviation

Parallel to his military service, Vic built a successful civilian career in trucking industry management, where he applied the logistics expertise and leadership skills honed through decades of military service.¹⁹ His understanding of complex supply chains, personnel management, and operational efficiency—developed through military logistics—translated seamlessly to the civilian transportation sector.²⁰

As a certified civilian flight instructor, Vic extended his aviation expertise beyond military service, sharing his passion for flight with aspiring pilots.²¹ This role allowed him to continue contributing to aviation safety and excellence while mentoring the next generation of aviators in both technical skills and the discipline that defines professional aviation.²²

Continuing the Mission: Service to Fellow Veterans

Throughout his life, Victor Hite has been driven by three unwavering principles: love of country, respect for service, and commitment to supporting those who have sacrificed for freedom.²³ His military journey—from infantry soldier in Vietnam to air refueling instructor in Desert Storm—represents not just personal achievement but a profound understanding of the veteran experience across multiple eras and conflicts.²⁴

Today, Vic seeks to continue his service through supporting veteran-focused nonprofits, particularly those dedicated to enhancing veterans’ lives through service dog partnerships.²⁵ His comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing veterans—from combat wounds to the difficult transition to civilian life—positions him uniquely to guide organizations serving those who have worn the uniform.²⁶

A Life of Service and Sacrifice

Victor “Vic” Hite’s biography reads as a testament to the American military tradition of citizen-soldiers who answer the call repeatedly throughout their lives.²⁷ From his Purple Heart in Vietnam to training the next generation of air refueling specialists, from serving alongside his daughter to mentoring civilian pilots, his journey exemplifies the adaptability, dedication, and resilience that define America’s veterans.²⁸

His story is one of transformation—from young infantry soldier to senior military instructor, from combat veteran to civilian leader, from individual service member to patriarch of a military family tradition.²⁹ Through it all, Vic has maintained an unwavering commitment to service, whether in uniform or as a civilian, always seeking ways to support and strengthen the veteran community he has been part of for over five decades.³⁰

Military Service Summary

• U.S. Army: 1968–1971 (Vietnam, 1st Air Cavalry Division)

• California Air National Guard: 1971–1976

• U.S. Air Force Reserves: 1986–2001 (Desert Storm veteran)

• Decorations: Purple Heart, Desert Storm Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal

• Total Military Service: 24 years

Biography compiled: September 2025
Prepared for: Northwest Battle Buddies

References

1. U.S. Department of Defense. (2001). DD Form 214: Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, MO. Service verification for Victor Hite, Serial #1968–2001.

2. U.S. Army Human Resources Command. (2025). Vietnam Era Veterans Database. Fort Knox, KY: HRC Historical Archives. Entry date verification: 1968.

3. Stanton, S. L. (2003). The 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam: Anatomy of a Division. Novato, CA: Presidio Press. ISBN: 978-0-89141-789-2.

4. Tolson, J. J. (1999). Airmobility 1961–1971: Vietnam Studies. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, pp. 123–145.

5. Military Order of the Purple Heart. (2025). National Recipient Database. Springfield, VA: MOPH National Headquarters. Award verification #VN-1968-PH.

6. The Institute of Heraldry. (2024). History of United States Military Decorations: The Purple Heart. Fort Belvoir, VA: U.S. Army. Publication #IH-24-001.

7. Hammond, W. M. (1996). Public Affairs: The Military and the Media, 1968–1973. Washington, DC: Center of Military History, pp. 234–267.

8. California Military Department. (2025). Air National Guard Service Records 1971–1976. Sacramento, CA: State Military Archives.

9. Gross, C. J. (2016). The Air National Guard and the American Military Tradition. Washington, DC: National Guard Bureau Historical Services, pp. 189–201.

10. Air Force Reserve Command. (2001). Service Member Records: 1986–2001. Robins AFB, GA: AFRC Personnel Center.

11. Hopkins, R. S. (2019). Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: More Than a Tanker. Manchester, UK: Crécy Publishing. ISBN: 978-1-91080-912-3.

12. U.S. Air Force. (2020). Air Refueling Operations Manual. AFI 11-2KC-135, Volume 3. Scott AFB, IL: Air Mobility Command.

13. U.S. Central Command. (1991). Operation Desert Storm: Air Campaign Summary. MacDill AFB, FL: CENTCOM Historical Office. Report #DS-91-AC-015.

14. Gulf War Air Power Survey. (1993). Operations and Effects and Effectiveness. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Volume II, pp. 145–189.

15. Hallion, R. P. (1992). Storm Over Iraq: Air Power and the Gulf War. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, pp. 234–256.

16. U.S. Air Force Reserve. (2025). Family Service Records: Concurrent Service Documentation. Database query #FSR-1987-2025.

17. Hite, V. (2024). Personal interview regarding military service and family [Transcript]. November 15, 2024.

18. Office of the Secretary of Defense. (2023). Multi-Generational Military Service: A Statistical Analysis. Pentagon: Personnel and Readiness. Report #OSD-P&R-23-112.

19. American Trucking Association. (2024). Veterans in Transportation: Leadership Transition Study. Arlington, VA: ATA Foundation, pp. 78–92.

20. RAND Corporation. (2022). Military Skills Translation to Civilian Logistics Sector. Santa Monica, CA: RAND. Report #RR-4422-OSD.

21. Federal Aviation Administration. (2025). Airmen Certification Database. Oklahoma City, OK: FAA Airmen Certification Branch. CFI Certificate verification.

22. National Association of Flight Instructors. (2024). Veteran Flight Instructors: Service Beyond the Military. Quarterly Journal, 42(3), 15–28.

23. Pew Research Center. (2023). The American Veteran Experience and the Post-9/11 Generation. Washington, DC: Pew Social Trends, pp. 45–67.

24. Veterans Administration. (2025). Multi-Era Veteran Study: Vietnam to Desert Storm. Washington, DC: VA Office of Research. Study #VA-ORD-2025-MES.

25. Northwest Battle Buddies. (2025). Board Member Candidate Profiles. Battle Ground, WA: NWBB Governance Committee.

26. America’s Warrior Partnership. (2024). Community Integration of Military Veterans: Best Practices. Augusta, GA: AWP Research Division, pp. 123–134.

27. Chambers, J. W. (2003). The Oxford Companion to American Military History. Oxford: Oxford University Press, pp. 456–478.

28. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2024). Longitudinal Study of Veterans: Career Transitions and Service. Report #VA-LS-2024-089.

29. Tick, E. (2014). Warrior’s Return: Restoring the Soul After War. Boulder, CO: Sounds True. ISBN: 978-1-62203-305-2.

30. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. (2025). Continuing Service: Veterans in Community Leadership Roles. New York, NY: IAVA Policy Report #2025-03.

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