- June 22, 2025
Harold Helms enlisted in the Army in 1977 at the age of 17 as a 19K4H armor crewman and performed his basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His first duty assignment was at Fort Hood, Texas, for three 3 years followed by three years in Germany, then seven years with the 24th Infantry Division in Fort Stewart, Georgia, back to Germany for five more and then back at Fort Knox as an officers basic training instructor for a total of 20 years of service.
Helms worked every position on the tanks over the years — driver, loader. gunner and tank commander. He said his biggest accomplishment was the eight months he was deployed to Desert Storm. As a platoon sergeant and tank commander he was awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service stars and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.
He received many decorations, medals and citations including the Meritorious Service Medal, 12 Army Achievement medals, six Good Conduct medals, a National Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and Overseas Service Ribbon (second award). He was awarded several qualification badges including Expert M16 Rifle, Expert 9mm Pistol and Marksman Hand Grenade.
Helms retired as a Sergent First Class, in November, 1997 and went to truck driving school. He drove a semi-truck for the next 25 years. He moved to Palm Coast and retired in 2023. He was recently elected commander of VFW Post 8696. He is married to Donna Joiner Helms, going on 34 years, has a daughter, Machelle Hiller, two grandchildren, Payton and Cody Hiller and a 6-year-old great granddaughter, Rosalina Hiller. He enjoys serving at the VFW, working on his 1969 Firebird, riding his motorcycles, shooting guns, fishing, and spending time with his family.
