Bill Mellars is being inducted into the Hall as an Outstanding American and it's a well deserved honor. When it comes to outstanding service in the Army, in his community, and on the wrestling mats, Bill has had an outstanding career. He retired June 2009 from the United States Army with 43-years, nine months of military service. He enlisted after graduating from Washington High School in Washington, Pennsylvania in 1966 and went on to serve two combat tours in Vietnam. When he returned from Vietnam he went to Airborne and Ranger School and was eventually selected as a Ranger instructor at Fort Benning, Georgia and also went on to earn the coveted Green Beret. After Graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course he served with the 10th Special Forces Group in Germany and Fort Carson, Colorado. He also had six tours of duty in Iraq. He also served in Bosnia and Kosovo. While in the service he served as a Human Resources Specialist, Weapons Sergeant, Infantry Senior Sergeant, Special Forces Intelligence Sergeant and as a S3 Operations Planner for the 10th Special Forces Group. He is a member of the Pikes Peak Wrestling Officials Association. He has officiated in numerous tournaments and mates in Colorado and nationally. He is the current Area Four assignor. He competed in wrestling for four five years and spent eight years as an official while still serving in the military. Both Bill and his brother Larry joined the Army in 1966 and 1967, respectively, during the height of the Vietnam Conflict. Both went on the serve two tours. Among Bill's many awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and Global Terrorism Service Medal. His decorations also consist of the Army Good Conduct Medal (second award), the National Defense Service Medal (third award), Vietnam Service Medal, and South West Asia Service Medal with service star, the Iraqi Campaign Medal with two service stars, the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (third award), Army service ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (second award) Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (second award), NATO Medal of the Armed Forces Reserve Medal. After serving 16 years, he left active service in 1982 and for the next eight years served in the 11th Special Forces Group in Youngstown, Ohio. He returned to active duty in 1990. In 1992, then a Master Sergeant, he made another career change and became a Special Forces Warrant Officer. He retired from the military in June of 2009. Bill is not ready to call it quits in the wrestling mats. "I still want to be involved with wrestling as long as I can and officiate until I can't get up and down on the mats. I'm not ready to give it up at this time. I want to make officiating more effective for those who are coming behind me."