Jay Hatfield Is Jefferson County’s Veteran Of The Month

By Douge KapkeJay Hatfield is Jefferson County’s Veteran of the Month for August, 2025. He was honored Tuesday morning, August 5, by county commissioners.He was also presented with a Quilt of Valor and a hand-made, patriotic wall-hanging by Rory Rosener.Hatfield was born in Fairbury, Nebraska. He had a brother that was 14 years older who became a Colonel in the National Guard and an 11 year older sister who married a veteran. His father was a World War II veteran who worked for the Fairbury Windmill Company before becoming Fairbury Pipe and Supply.Hatfield attended grade school at Central Grade School and attended four years at Fairbury High School. While in high school he played football three years, track four years and one year of cross country. During his junior and senior years he attended the state track meet and participated in relays.Hatfield participated one year in track while attending two years at Southeast Community College. He joined the National Guard unit in Fairbury on March 25, 1977, during his sophomore year and was sworn into military service by his older brother, Dennis, who was then a Captain.Hatfield continued working for the City of Fairbury as he had previously done during school and summers until he attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was trained as an Army Reconnaissance Scout.Upon returning to Fairbury after training, Hatfield began working for what is now known as the Endicott Clay Products Company. His primary duties were grounds keeper for the owner’s family. His employment lasted for 44 years. Hatfield was with the Fairbury Guard Unit for over 20 years and attained the rank of First Sergeant (E-8) during the last six years in Fairbury. During that period of time the Fairbury Guard Unit transitioned from a Combat Support Unit to an Armor Unit, which meant they became a Tank Unit.The last several years of Hatfield’s military service were spent bouncing around Nebraska to units in need of his services. He spent some time as First Sergeant at Hastings and spent some time as an Intelligence Sergeant and transitioned into a Transportation Sergeant for a short time in Kearney. He was then transferred to Ashland and worked as an Operation Sergeant for a short while before being moved back to First Sergeant in Ashland for his last four years of service.Hatfield’s two week summer camps included places like Camp Roberts in California, Camp Ripley in Minnesota, Fort Riley, Kansas, but mostly Fort Carson, Colorado. During his 28 years in the National Guard, Hatfield accumulated the following awards: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal twice, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal six times, National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Noncommissioned Officers Course Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Nebraska National Guard Individual Achievement Medal seven times, Nebraska National Guard Emergency Service Medal three times, Nebraska National Guard Service Medal and Expert Rifle Qualification Badge.Hatfield has been a member of the Fairbury Elks Lodge since age 21. In retirement in Fairbury with his partner, Marcia, he continues his love of hunting, fishing, golf and spending quality time with children and grandchildren.

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