Bill Herzer
Encyclopedia
Bill Herzer, Nanadan, in the Wado-Ryu style of karate
.
Bill Herzer originally from Alexandria, Virginia moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee
in 1965, to attend MTSU. Herzer completed his Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1973 and his Masters in Biology in 1975. He began his work in medical research in 1975 at Vanderbilt University
in Nashville, Tennessee
.
. In Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal
for Valor, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor and two Purple Heart
s.
. He started Karate
training in 1967 under Sensei Jimmy Kittrell. In 1973, Herzer left the Army to return to MTSU and continue his college and karate education. He immediately resumed his karate training with Newton Harris, at the Murfreesboro Bushido School of Karate, where he received his black belt. Following the departure of Harris in 1994, Herzer took over as the owner and Chief Instructor.
Sensei Herzer eventually handed the business end of the martial arts school to Bill Taylor (Martial artist)
while he continued to teach Karateka and train with Taylor.
He has competed in point tournaments, fought in the amateur division at full contact karate tournaments and helped train full contact fighters. He also competed in triathlons, from sprint to half iron man and swims in Masters swimming where he recorded top ten times. Bill Herzer is also skilled with various weapons.
Herzer serves on the United States Eastern Wadō-ryū Federation Board of Directors and Black Belt Examination Board to ensure continued adherence to the original instruction of Wadō-ryū karate as originally taught by Master Hironori Ōtsuka.
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
.
Bill Herzer originally from Alexandria, Virginia moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Murfreesboro is a city in and the county seat of Rutherford County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 108,755 according to the United States Census Bureau's 2010 U.S. Census, up from 68,816 residents certified during the 2000 census. The center of population of Tennessee is located in...
in 1965, to attend MTSU. Herzer completed his Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1973 and his Masters in Biology in 1975. He began his work in medical research in 1975 at Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1873, the university is named for shipping and rail magnate "Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided Vanderbilt its initial $1 million endowment despite having never been to the...
in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
.
Military Service
In 1969, and for the next four years Herzer served in the Army Infantry in Germany and Vietnam. He was promoted to the rank of Captain with the 10th Special Forces Group (United States)10th Special Forces Group (United States)
The 10th Special Forces Group is an Active Duty United States Army Special Forces group. The 10th Special Forces Group is responsible for operations within the EUCOM area of responsibility, as part of the Special Operations Command, Europe , as well as parts of Africa and the Middle East.10th SFG...
. In Vietnam, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
for Valor, the Army Commendation Medal for Valor and two Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
s.
As a Martial Artist
Bill Herzer began Marital Arts training in 1966, with JudoJudo
is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
. He started Karate
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
training in 1967 under Sensei Jimmy Kittrell. In 1973, Herzer left the Army to return to MTSU and continue his college and karate education. He immediately resumed his karate training with Newton Harris, at the Murfreesboro Bushido School of Karate, where he received his black belt. Following the departure of Harris in 1994, Herzer took over as the owner and Chief Instructor.
Sensei Herzer eventually handed the business end of the martial arts school to Bill Taylor (Martial artist)
Bill Taylor (Martial artist)
Bill Taylor , Shichidan, in the Wado-Ryu style of karate and world ranked Kickboxer in the bantam weight division from 1981 to 1988.-As a Martial artist:...
while he continued to teach Karateka and train with Taylor.
He has competed in point tournaments, fought in the amateur division at full contact karate tournaments and helped train full contact fighters. He also competed in triathlons, from sprint to half iron man and swims in Masters swimming where he recorded top ten times. Bill Herzer is also skilled with various weapons.
Herzer serves on the United States Eastern Wadō-ryū Federation Board of Directors and Black Belt Examination Board to ensure continued adherence to the original instruction of Wadō-ryū karate as originally taught by Master Hironori Ōtsuka.