Harold "Hawk" Hawkins (ILLINOIS) 4th Dan Soobahkdo Taekwondo Black Belt ILHDMAG00325-4 March 25 2000 3rd Dan Soobahkdo Taekwondo Black Belt ILHDMAG840325-3 March 25 1984 1st Dan Moohapdool Hapkido Black Belt 01ILHDMAG070715-1 July 7 2007 McMurray's House of Discipline Grandmaster James McMurray
Master Harold (Hawk) Hawkins Hawkins School of Tae Kwon Do 225 South 10 Street Mount Vernon, Illinois 62864 618-204-8027 In 1968, at the age of 19, Master Harold (Hawk) Hawkins began his training in Ji Do Kwon Tae Kwon-Do under Master Yun Nam Ku in Chun Chon Korea while serving with the 4th U.S. Missile Command U.S. Army. After 19 months of intense training, he received his black belt in Ji Do Kwon Tae Kwon Do. While there he was allowed to compete in some Republic of Korea events such as Yudo (judo) boxing and the Korean Police events.  After his discharge from the military and moving back to Chicago Master Hawkins decided to compete in his first U.S. tournament and was hooked ever since. Master Kyung Sun, Shin who now is, GM Shin, held the tournament on North Ashland Ave. Master Hawkins also studied Tae Kwon Do and Judo under GM Shin.  Master Hawkins decided at the time that rank in the art wasn't most important during his early years and still the same today. After competing from 1970 through 1974 he decided it was time to get back to Korea. So he decided to join the Army once again and was lucky to be stationed back in Korea serving with the 2nd Infantry Division. In 1974, Master Hawkins still a 1st Degree Black Belt, was Greeted with open arms by General H. Emerson (Gunfighter). General Emerson was so impressed with his abilities as a fighter that he requested his presence on the 2nd Infantry Division Team. The Team went on to win many battles against the Republic of Korea Teams such as the White Horse Division, The Tiger Division, 28th Infantry Division and some of the Universities throughout Korea. Master Hawkins also fought during the early years of the Kukiwon. While in Korea Master Hawkins was asked to demonstrate his skills for President Ford and to present Mrs. Ford with a plaque from the 2nd Infantry Division while she was hospitalized. This was all done via satellite television. Master Hawkins then returned to the states and was requested by General Emerson to be a part of the 18th Airborne Training Staff and Team at Fort Bragg North Carolina where joined with other extraordinary martial artist. He trained and instructed with Grandmaster James McMurray, Grandmaster Jimmy Brown & Grandmaster Johnson. He also trained with the late Michael D. Echanis and a host of other fine Martial Artist from different styles.  In 1978 after being discharged once again honorably, Master Hawkins trained with Master Y. S. Rho now Grandmaster Y. S. Rho while living in Decatur, Illinois. He trained With Grandmaster Rho until 1984.  Master Hawkins has received many awards and trophies during his Martial Arts career but doesn't feel the need to talk about them. His most proud moment during his career is when he was allowed to demonstrate his skill to the Commander In Chief in 1974. Master Hawkins took a long time off but never forgot what he loved most about the art and once again after being inspired by his 8-year-old niece he ventured into the teaching of the art he always loved. Master Hawkins is now under the guidance of Grandmaster Thomas Perry of the Springfield/Taylorville Dojang and is still in touch with Grandmaster James McMurray who also is guiding Master Hawkins the way of Kido.  His quote to his students in his school that is repeated constantly is " If it is to be it is up to me." Master Hawkins is playing an important role in spreading Tae Kwon in the small town of Mount Vernon, Illinois.  Master Hawkins considers himself being back on the path of enlightenment
	The 1st All Army certified Taekwondo Instructors. These individuals were the remaining black belts to survive a two month, 8-hours a day 5-days a week training session. They became the nucleus for LTG Emerson's Fit-to-Fight Taekwondo Program for training all XVIII ABN Corps soldiers in Taekwondo Martial Arts.
Front left top right standing: Jimmy Brown, Owen McDonald, "Doc" Anderson, James Johnson, Ernie Mills, Randy Chandler. Kneeling left to right: James McMurray, Capt. Thompson, Michael Simms, Harold "Hawk" Hawkins.
"Hawk"Hawkins on his way to victory in the 1st Taekwondo Smoke at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Hawkins goes on to become an undefeated Heavyweight Champion for the next two years.	"Hawk" Hawkins pose for the camera in a historic photo with PKA Super Lightweight World Champion Tony Lopez. Hawk won the Heavyweight Division and Tony Lopez won the Lightweight Division.