


Chapter Officers
The Robert C. Padgett Jr. Memorial Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 524 is an all volunteer organization comprised of over 239 active members to include Life Members who are recipients of the Purple Heart and Associate Members who are direct relatives of Life Members.
Below are the Chapter Officers of Chapter 524. They have taken on the responsibility of leading our organization as we continue to provide assistance to Veterans and their families in Northeast Florida.

LAURENCE WALKER
CHAPTER COMMANDER
Leading From the Front
Bio Coming Soon.
JEFF WYATT
SENIOR VICE COMMANDER
& FINANCE OFFICER
Resolute in His Commitment
Our Chapter Senior Vice Commander and Finance Officer is LTC (R) Jeffrey Wyatt was a member of the Army Reserve from OCT 27, 1990, until MAR 27, 2020. He deployed twice to Iraq from 2005-2006 and again from 2008-2009.
Wyatt also deployed to Afghanistan twice. Once from 2013-2014 and again from 2016-2017. During his first combat deployment to Iraq in 2005, he was on a combat mission when his vehicle was struck by an IED, causing injuries to the left shoulder, hip, and back. Wyatt was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the combat patrol.
Wyatt's other awards include the Bronze Star Meritorious Service Medal (2) and Army Commendation Medal (3). LTC Wyatt also served with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office from Nov 1996-Feb 2020.


EDDIE HARRISON
JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER
The Backbone of the Chapter
Our Chapter Junior Vice Commander was born in Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating from high school in 1961, he joined the Army and became an Airborne Paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam.
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He arrived in Vietnam on March 1968 and received two Purple Hearts during his first tour of duty. On his second tour of duty as an advisor, he received two additional Purple Hearts.
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After his retirement Commander Harrison became an accomplished teacher and assistant principal in Duval County. He was the Duval County Teacher of the Year in 1994-1995 and again in 2011-2012. He is also a Past Chapter Commander.
SYLVESTER BOLDEN
SERGEANT AT ARMS
Passionate About Assisting Veterans and Their Families
Our Chapter Sergeant at Arms was drafted into the Army in 1966. He attended Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA and completed his Advanced Individual Training (AIT) to become a mortarman at Fort Polk, LA.
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Patriot Bolden arrived in Vietnam in February 1967, and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and served as a squad leader. He was wounded March 1967.
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He is an avid volunteer at the VA Clinic and serves as the Department of Florida's Cemetery Representative for the Jacksonville National Cemetery. Patriot Bolden has also served as the Past Chapter Commander for MOPH Chapter 524 and Historian.


BILL SMITH
ADJUTANT
Always Willing to Help His Fellow Veteran
Bio Coming Soon
JIM WELLMON
TRUSTEE 2 YEAR
Constantly Promoting Altruism and Service in His Community
Our Chapter Trustee (2 Year) started his military career in the US Army Infantry in February 1969. In 1970 he was assigned to the 199th Light Infantry Brigade as an Infantry fire team leader. During his tour to Vietnam, he was promoted to squad leader and then Platoon Sergeant. He completed 25 combat air assault missions.
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In 1977 he joined the Florida Army National Guard as part of the 111th Avn Company Assault Helicopter (AH), serving as a full-time guardsman (AGR).
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Wellmon also participated in the following operations: Operation Lempira 1987-Honduras; Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm; Operation Bright Star 956; Operation Iraqi Freedom II-II.
He is a Charter Member of Chapter 524 and has served as the Sergeant at Arms, Chapter Senior Vice Commander, and is a Past Chapter Commander.


FRANK PURPURA
TRUSTEE 1 YEAR
Developing Tomorrow's Leaders with Today's Youth