Name: William “Bill GTO” Nawrot
Service Branch:
United States Army
Years of Service:
1968-1970
Rank: Spec 4
Member: 132nd
Assault Support Helicopter Co
Battle
Region/War: Chu Lai, Vietnam
Awards:
National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam
Service Medal

The Western Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10778 announces the
Grand Marshal and&nbsp;date for the Western
Springs Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25, 2026. Bill Nawrot will
serve&nbsp;as the parade’s
Grand Marshal.
Parade Grand
Marshal
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Located in Vietnam’s
Quảng Nam Province, Chu Lai was a United States Marine Corps&nbsp;military base,
operational from 1965 to 1970, which included an airfield to support
military operations&nbsp;during the Vietnam
War.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Joining the service
ranks in Aug of 1968, Bill enlisted in the Army on his 19th birthday.
He was&nbsp;assigned to the Flight Line in Chu Lai, Vietnam, from Feb 1969 to April 1970, as part
of a 5-man&nbsp;mechanics crew. Bill
was charged with major and minor maintenance repairs, for 12 CH-47
Chinook&nbsp;helicopters
completing a scheduled rotation for parts replacement every 100 hrs.
Sporadically, the Flight Line was
under mortar fire from the Vietnamese forces.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;On Apr 1970, Bill was
discharged from Army Service. Bill returned to Illinois to his
previous&nbsp;job at Illinois Bell
Telephone. He worked at Bell Telephone for 27 years as an outside
communications&nbsp;technician. After
Bell Telephone, Bill began a second career at MCI/Verizon where he
worked for 12&nbsp;years until
retirement in 2010.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Bill was part of the
“Operation Support The Troops America” in Naperville, IL. Since
joining&nbsp;the Western Springs
VFW in 2014, Bill has worked with the Memorial Day Parade Committee
where he&nbsp;creates the 4-page
parade program, and coordinates the vehicles where veterans ride
during the parade.
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Bill is married to
Patti, and they are parents to 4 children, 12 grandchildren, and one
great-granddaughter. Bill
and Patti are avid classic car collectors with 2 Pontiac GTO, a
Lincoln Town&nbsp;Car, and 2 Mustangs.

Local Event: VFW Post 10778 Memorial Day Parade And Remembrance

Cook County

Western Springs

Illinois

VFW Post 10778 Memorial Day Parade And Remembrance


Name: William “Bill GTO” Nawrot
Service Branch:
United States Army
Years of Service:
1968-1970
Rank: Spec 4
Member:...

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VFW Post 10778 Memorial Day Parade And Remembrance

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