Kansas University’s Army ROTC program added four alumni Saturday to its Wall of Fame.

“They distinguished themselves by applying what they had learned as cadets and students and by becoming truly exceptional in their fields and their careers,” said Lt. Col. John Basso, professor of military science.

Maj. Gen. Stephen Reeves, Retired Col. James Thomas, Col. Richard Hayes, and the late Capt. Thomas Hewitt were honored before about 100 people in a ceremony at KU’s military science building.

Reeves, a 1974 alumnus, is the Department of Defense’s Joint Program Executive Officer for Chemical and Biological Defense. He has held numerous posts during his career, including commanding counter-intelligence, intelligence collection and electronic warfare units.

Reeves said he was happy to have the opportunity to meet with the young cadets, which he considers an exceptional group.

“Whatever they choose to do in life, the leadership skills that they learn here at ROTC will serve them the rest of their lives,” he said.

Thomas, a 1975 alumnus, is military leadership program manager at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. In his 30-year military career, he was deployed in command and staff positions, including posts in Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti and Operations Desert Shield and Storm in Kuwait and Iraq.

Hayes, a 1986 graduate, most recently served as the deputy commander maneuver with Task Force Falcon Multinational Task Force East in Kosovo.

Hewitt, a 1967 alumnus, served two deployments in Vietnam. He was mortally wounded July 2, 1970, as his company held Hill 902 during an attack by the North Vietnamese Army. Diane McCarville, Hewitt’s wife at the time of his death, accepted Hewitt’s plaque.

“Hopefully, his willingness to die serving his country will encourage others to serve it,” she said.