COL Robert J. Chant

Inducted 26 April 2003

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Colonel Robert Chant began his military career in 1954 after earning a commission as a Second Lieutenant through Western Michigan's newly formed ROTC program. He was a distinguished military graduate and three-year letter winner in football as well as being among the first commissioned officers in 1954.

His initial military assignment was Fort Lee, Virginia followed by a combat arms tour in Artillery at Fort Bliss, Texas. Subsequent key assignments included the 101st Airborne Division (Kentucky); 11th Parachute Maintenance and Air Delivery Company, 8th Infantry Division (Europe); ROTC instructor, Michigan State University; 1st Air Cavalry Division (Airborne), Vietnam; Department of the Army Staff (Pentagon); US Army Natick Laboratory (Massachusetts); 45th Support Group, 24th Infantry Division (Hawaii) and Comptroller, US Army Armament Command (New Jersey). He served in all troop leading positions from Platoon Leader to Group Commander with four different type Army Divisions (Airborne, Airmobile, Infantry and Mechanized).

Col Chant specialized military training includes basic Artillery, Logistics, Teaching, Management and Comptrollership as well as being Airborne, US Army Ranger, Parachute Packing, Maintenance and Air Delivery. He earned a Master's Degree while at Michigan State University. He was the Army's Logistics representative selected to attend the US Air Force Command and Staff College and is a graduate of the military's senior service school, the US Army War College.

His many awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service with cluster, the Air Medal, Army Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign with device, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf cluster, Meritorious Unit Citation, Master Parachute Badge, Ranger Tab, Cross of Gallantry with palm, Overseas Service Badge (2), and the Presidential Unit Citation.

After a rewarding military career, he retired in 1979. He continued to work as an administrator for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In 1998, he was recognized by the Governor of Ohio, his birthplace, for his 40 years of outstanding government service.

COL Chant is married to the former Sally A. Daugherty of Monongahela, Pennsylvania. Their two daughters Lisa and Tara, share family recreational interests in boating, water skiing, gymnastics, golf and photography.

Alumni
(by year)

[1950-1959]
[1960-1969]
[1970-1979]
[1980-1989]
[1990-1999]
[2000-present]