A Richfield native and graduate of 1964, William “Bill” Cochrane served in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Artillery. In 1970, his unit was surrounded by 2000 North Vietnamese when Cochrane was seriously wounded by shrapnel from a motor round.

His lung collapsed several times until it was stabilized so he could return to the United States for recovery and treatment.

In 2002, Cochrane was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medals after the paperwork was uncovered during some research.

In addition to being a member of the Eden Prairie Veterans Memorial Committee, Cochrane is an active volunteer with the Military Order of the Purple Hearts.