He was then employed by the VA Hospital until his return to service in 1958.
Ford served with the 101st Airborne, 82nd Airborne, 173rd Airborne and 7th Infantry Divisions before assignment to the Ranger Department. He saw duty with the 34th Vietnamese Ranger Battalion, 3rd, 24TH, AND 13TH Infantry Divisions, and served two overseas tours (each), in Korea, Vietnam, and Germany.
After retiring in 1984, he attended the El Paso Community College (El Paso, TX), and earned an Associate in Arts Degree in Recreational Leadership and was subsequently employed with the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department, from 1988 until 2003.
Nathaniel completed the US Army Airborne, Pathfinder and Ranger Schools, with Military awards which include, the Purple Heart, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, EIB, CIB, Master Parachutist Wings, Pathfinder Badge, Vietnamese Ranger Badge, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Vietnamese Honor Medal (2nd Class), and is also an 82nd Airborne Centurion.
Visitation for Nathaniel will be held Thursday, August 31, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM with Prayer service at 4:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N Resler Dr, El Paso, Texas 79912. Rite of committal will take place Friday, September 1, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave, Fort Bliss, Texas 79906.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com for the Ford family.
