Samuel C. Hatcher Jr. was born to Samuel C. Hatcher Sr and Eva L. Hatcher on December 15, 1926 in Enondale Mississippi. Growing up, Samuel Jr had eleven brothers and sisters. He attended Porterville High School in Kemper County, Mississippi. Samuel was drafted into the United States Army on January 13, 1944 at the age of 18. He entered active service on February 4, 1944 at Camp Shelby. Hatcher started basic training for paratroopers at Camp Blanding, Florida. After his first jump off the tower, Hatcher decided that being a paratrooper was not for him, and he was transferred to Columbus, South Carolina. There he was assigned to the 347th Infantry Regiment of the 87th Infantry Division. After the war, Hatcher was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge.