William Atwater

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Dr. William Felix Atwater is a former Director of the US Army Ordnance Museum in Maryland, United States. He is a 1968 graduate of Berea College, Kentucky and holds a BA degree in History and Political Science with a minor in Philosophy and Religion. Upon graduation he was commissioned a Lieutenant of Marines and served as an officer for 10 years. He commanded a US Marine Corps rifle platoon during the Vietnam War where he received the Purple Heart, a Navy Commendation Medal, and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Promoted to Captain he served all over the world in various assignments and attended numerous military schools. After military service he attended Duke University where he was awarded an MA degree and a Ph.D in Military History. In 1985 he assumed the Directorship of the 101st Airborne/Air Assault Divisional Museum and in 1989 took over the responsibilities at the Ordnance Museum.

Dr. Atwater is a published author. His latest work appears in the Oxford Companion to American Military History. He has appeared as a firearms and ordnance expert in many documentaries regarding military history on such television stations as The History Channel, The Learning Channel, The Discovery Channel, and The Military Channel. He has also made foreign television appearances such as British Broadcasting. ^[1]

Dr. Atwater’s civilian awards include an Excellence in Federal Service Award, an Outstanding Civilian Service Award, the Commander's Award for Public Service, and the Order of Samuel Sharpe.

Dr. Atwater is currently engaged in trying to preserve some of the last remaining historic military assets in the world. Atwater said of the Ordnance Museum Foundation that "It is our moral and legal responsibility to preserve military assets,". ^[2]