Pfc. Avner W. McBride of Rosie, a World War II veteran and two-time Bronze Star honoree, will be posthumously inducted into the Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame on November 14. The ceremony will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Little Rock. McBride is one of 16 veterans being honored this year. The effort to secure McBride’s recognition was spearheaded by his daughter, Judy Ferrell, after a chance encounter at the Independence County Veterans Services Office in Batesville. Ferrell originally sought assistance in wording a commemorative brick for her father’s service to be placed in the veterans memorial at Riverside Park. Upon reviewing McBride’s military records, veterans affairs representative Josh Morrison encouraged Ferrell to nominate her father for the prestigious award. Together, they prepared a submission packet for the Hall of Fame’s board of directors. McBride served in the U.S. Army during World War II, participating in the pivotal Battle of the Bulge in Germany. He was a tank driver in a five-man crew operating M24 Chaffee tanks. McBride’s military achievements included crossing Germany’s strategically crucial Ludendorff Bridge near the close of the war in 1945. Despite attempts by German forces to destroy the bridge, McBride’s actions contributed to its capture by Allied forces. His commendations include two Bronze Stars, a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, an Overseas Service Bar, and the World War II Victory Ribbon. Although Ferrell believes he also earned a Purple Heart, she explained that Army records documenting the award were lost in a fire. McBride's war stories illustrate both the peril and humanity of his service. On one occasion, he stood in for a fellow soldier recovering from pneumonia, walking outside the tank during an attack. A shell exploded nearby, leaving him unconscious and separated from his crew. He was rescued 24 hours later and, undeterred, returned to the front lines to rejoin his comrades. McBride also recalled encounters that reflected the ethical complexities of war. In one instance, he opted to spare a young enemy soldier and instructed local civilians to ensure the boy left the battlefield permanently. After the war, McBride served in the military police, assisting in the arrests of Nazi war criminals. He later returned to Arkansas, working as a farmer and stonemason. A devout member of Salado Baptist Church, McBride was also a dedicated hunter who passed down skills to his family. Though McBride rarely discussed his wartime experiences during Ferrell’s childhood, he began opening up about the trauma in his 80s after seeking therapy at a VA hospital. Ferrell said his acts of courage and kindness continue to inspire their family. Following his death in 2016 at age 95, Ferrell pursued his Hall of Fame nomination to honor his legacy. "To me, he was and is a hero and one of the toughest and kindest men I have ever known," Ferrell said. The Arkansas Military Veterans Hall of Fame recognizes veterans with significant contributions during or after their military service. Nominees must have been born in Arkansas or lived in the state for at least eight years, received an honorable discharge, and meet standards of good character. For more information, visit [amvhof.org](https://www.amvhof.org) or call 1-888-329-3845.