J. Paul Hammerschmidt

Class of 1942

Elected as the 1st Republican U.S. Congressman from Arkansas (1966-1992) since Reconstruction serving 26 years. Prior to this public service he earned 4 Distinguished Flying Cross's as a USAAC pilot flying 217 combat missions over the \Burma Hump\. He continued to serve after WW11 in the Reserves and retired after 20 years. Before his election he founded and operated a lumber company.