WATCH: U.S. Marine and Vietnam Veteran Chip Hanson Reflects on His Combat Experience in Vietnam in Interview with Steve Wilson
By Steve Wilson // March 10, 2026
March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day
WATCH: National Vietnam War Veterans Day will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026. As part of my series recognizing and honoring Vietnam Veterans, I conducted my first interview with U.S. Marine and Vietnam Veteran Chip Hanson. Hanson is currently a chaplain for multiple Veterans organizations.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – National Vietnam War Veterans Day will be held on Sunday, March 29, 2026. As part of my series recognizing and honoring Vietnam Veterans, I conducted my first interview with U.S. Marine and Vietnam Veteran Chip Hanson. Hanson is currently a chaplain for multiple Veterans organizations.
Hanson told me how he came to join the Marines, his time in Vietnam, and what his return home was like. He also talks about what drove him to go into the ministry.
Hanson received many awards and accolades in the service, including: Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation w/2 bronze stars, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 bronze stars, Republic of Vietnam with Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Color w/palm and frame), Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Actions Color, 1st class w/palm and frame), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Rifle Marksman Badge.
This is the first of four interviews with Vietnam Veterans that I will be conducting leading up to March 29.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia. He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.
Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.
Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.
He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.
The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.
