Editor’s note: This tribute is one in a series of reader-submitted tributes to Vietnam War-era veterans that will be posted during April. 

BM3 ROBERT H. HILSE, USN

HOMETOWN: Poulsbo

BRANCH: U.S. Navy

YEARS OF SERVICE: 1963-68

HIGHEST RANK OR GRADE ATTAINED:  Boatswain’s Mate Third Class

SIGNIFICANT DUTY STATIONS OR DEPLOYMENTS DURING THE VIETNAM WAR: Six months of sea duty and one year in DaNang. Decorated for service during Cuban Missile Crisis and in Vietnam.

POST-WAR CAREER: Retired from the timber industry. Currently drives school buses for the North Kitsap School District and is known as Mr. Bob.