Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) educator and ROTC instructor Lt. Col. Walleon Bobo has been named to the ROTC Hall of Heroes at Arkansas State University, according to a recent MSCS announcement. The recognition celebrates his distinguished military service, leadership qualities, and dedication to nurturing future leaders through the JROTC program.
The honor traces back to Lt. Col. Bobo's decision to join the National Guard after his freshman year at Arkansas State University, which led him to enroll in ROTC. His military journey culminated in a commissioned role as a second lieutenant in 1984, followed by service in the U.S. Army Reserves. Notable among his experiences was a deployment with the 101st Airborne Division during the onset of the Iraq War—a tour that earned him the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart after an assassination attempt in Mosul, as MSCS's article noted.
Following his military career, Lt. Col. Bobo transitioned to a long civilian career at UPS before eventually joining the MSCS JROTC program. Here, he found a passion for educating young cadets. "The biggest thing I try to remember is the mindset that you can’t judge a kid at 15. They don’t know what they don’t know yet," Lt. Col. Bobo said in a statement obtained by MSCS. Under Bobo's tutelage, students have gone on to serve in various capacities, including the military, law enforcement, and other sectors requiring leadership and teamwork.
His influence is evidentially far-reaching; one of his former JROTC cadets, Tennessee Representative Justin Pearson, has become a lawmaker. Reflecting on his induction into the Hall of Heroes, Lt. Col. Bobo expressed his humility and gratitude. "I felt like I had a chance, but I was also prepared to hear, ‘You were a strong candidate, but you didn’t make it,'" he told MSCS. "To be chosen meant a lot. I’m thankful for the recognition, and most of all, I’m thankful I survived that day in Mosul to be here now."
The formal induction into the Hall of Heroes is set for the weekend of November 8 at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, celebrating Lt. Col. Bobo's unwavering commitment to his country and to the students he mentors.
