Civil War ☆ WWI ☆ WWII ☆ Korea ☆ Vietnam ☆ Iraq I ☆ Iraq II ☆ Afghanistan
| Name | Narrative | Branch and Rank | Unit and Specialty | Conflict/Arena | Born/Died |
| Robert D. Hinkle | Robert D. Hinkle was born in Riverside on June 12, 1929 to the late Laura and Clarence "Pete" Hinkle. Bob graduated from Riverside High School in 1947 where he was an avid basketball and baseball player. After high school, Bob attended college for a time. His first job was with the Riverside Trust Company. He joined the U.S. Army in 1951 at age 22 and served over 28 years beginning with the Korean Conflict. Bob reports that he intended to join the U.S. Navy, but a Navy recruiter was unavailable. It was an Army recruiter who convinced him to join the U.S. Army. He did his basic training at Fort Dix, then Officers Candidate School at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and was assigned to the 179th Division in Korea. He later served in the 175th Infantry. Upon graduation he was sent to Korea and served in the 45th Infantry Division. Later in his military career he graduated from the Command and General Staff College, the Air War College, served as an instructor, and, beginning in May 1977, as Liaison Officer for South Jersey to the US Military Academy at West Point. Robert proudly served his country and retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army separating from the service on May 9, 1983. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Ft. Benning. Colonel Hinkle earned the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and the Purple Heart with a Cluster. His Silver Star citation talks of his heroism under fire, protecting his unit even as he was wounded by an enemy grenade. Bob married Joan (nee Brown) in 1954 while he was serving in the military and was happily married for 67 years. In 1964, the Hinkles moved from Delran to Peach Tree Lane in Delanco. In civilian life, Bob was employed by PSE&G Company as an Engineering Plant Supervisor. Bob and Joan have been very active in our Delanco community. He was a member of the Military Officers Association, the T.W. Daly Chapter of the Korean Veterans of South Jersey, VFW Post 3020 of Riverside, Riverside American Legion Post 294 and the Masonic Lodge #107. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Burlington County Country Club for 46 years. He loved most sports and enjoyed the strategy of a good chess game. He was a lifelong member of the Zion Lutheran Church, Riverside. Bob received special recognition for his military service as the Grand Marshall of our Memorial Day Parade in 2003. Bob donated his uniform for display at the Riverside Historical Society Museum. It was later featured in Delanco's Military Salute display. Bob was interviewed by Henry Lopez of the Delanco History Board on April 18, 2018 at the young age of 88. Col. Hinkle died on July 1, 2021 at age 92 and was buried on Patton Drive, overlooking the Pentagon in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on March 6, 2023 with full military honors. | US Army, Col | 179th Div, 45th Inf, 175th Inf Instructor SJ Liaison to West Point | Korea, Vietnam | 1929 - 2021 |
Updated October 30, 2023