Born in September of 1948 in Sinton, Texas, William Rankin comes from humble means. He was raised by his mother in the gulf coast region of Texas. On November 2, 1965, he joined the U.S. Army and would find himself serving in combat operations in South Vietnam from March 1967 to September of 1968 where he would earn the combat infantryman badge among numerous other medals and recognition for his actions in combat in Nam. Bill would leave the army in June of 1971; however, his service would not end there. From infantryman to airman, he would enlist in the U.S. Air Force. After 26 years of active-duty service to our country, he retired on August 31, 1988, from the military.

 

While on active duty with the air force, he was assigned duty in Okinawa in the middle 1970’s. This is where his martial arts career would start after being introduced to Master Yuichi Kuda. Under the direction and watchful eye of Master Kuda, Bill learned the basics of Okinawan Karate. Master Kuba did not have high hopes for the success of his young student as he was very obese. In fact, Master Kuda laughed and said that Bill Rankin would not last a month in his school. As a young martial artist, Bill would not only lose over 50 pounds, but he would learn how to master himself while developing a foundation of traditional martial arts that would stay with him throughout his life. Bill earned the respect of his master and peers through quickly gaining mastery of the techniques taught under the direction and watchful eye of Master Kuba. Master Kuba explained how the techniques learned in the war could be incorporated with Shorin-Ryu training.

 

Shorin-Ryu Kobukan Karate-Do Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Karate) was earned by William Rankin and awarded by Master Kuba on March 3, 1977, in Okinawa. Sensei Rankin would continue to refine his skills and study under the guidance of Master Kuba. On August 2, 1977, Sensei William Rankin became the first American student to earn Nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt) in Shorin-Ryu Kobukan Karate-Do. This promotion was remarkable for more than the reason it was awarded for the first-time in history to an American but also that it was accomplished in under five months of training after reaching Shodan. In 1977, Sensei Rankin established Rankin Martial Arts and began teaching his fellow service members. Bill received military orders to return to Texas. Once back in Texas, he began to travel extensively to karate tournaments. He competed, judged, and networked at nearly 200 tournaments in his first year. Realizing a need for a non-political martial arts association, Sensei William Rankin established the United States Martial Artist Association (USMAA) in 1977. There he continued to train and teach Shorin-Ryu Karate. In 1979, Sensei Rankin was promoted to Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt) in Dallas, Texas. A few years later accompanied by countless hours of training and teaching, he was promoted to 4th Degree Black Belt while in New York City in 1981.

 

It was in 1984 that Sensei Bill Rankin accomplished the major milestone in martial arts earning Godan. He was promoted to the coveted rank of 5th Degree Black Belt and received the title of Shihan (Master). Master Rankin would begin to develop and refine his own unique approach to Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do while slowly growing the USMAA. Also in 1984, the University of Iowa bestowed an honorary Ph.D. to him. Due to his diligence in practice and contributions to the martial arts, he was promoted in 1986 to Rokudan (6th Degree Black Belt). One year later, Master Rankin established Uchuno Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do. Over the years Master Rankin continued to serve as an A.A.U. official and competed and won many medals and trophies including two gold medals and silver medal in the 1979 A.A.U. Regional Championships, two silver medals in the North Dakota Shito-Ryu State Championships, and Grand Champion in the 1988 World Karate Championships. In 1989, Master Rankin was advance to 8th Degree Black Belt, a double promotion in Gaithersburg, Maryland in recognition for his great accomplishments within the martial arts community. It was in 1996 when Master Rankin was promoted to 9th Degree Black Belt and the title of Hanshi was conferred. Three years later, he was promoted to 10th Degree Black Belt and the Supreme Grandmaster of Uchuno Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do.

 

After decades of growing the USMAA, its reach has gone global and has impacted thousands of martial artists. In 1999, the USMAA established its Hall of Fame event. In 2025, the United States Martial Artist Association will host its 25th Silver Anniversary of the association’s Hall of Fame event. Hundreds of martial artists have been honored and accepted into this community of martial artists that is not political and was founded on mutual respect and discipline. In 2024, Supreme Grandmaster (SGM) Rankin set into motion a secession plan for the association leadership. This extreme act of humility ensures the continuation of the USMAA in future generations, securing his legacy and the future of the association. SGM Rankin established the USMAA Board of Advisors and named Grandmaster Matthew Antkowiak, 8th Degree Black Belt as his successor. Grandmaster Antkowiak assumes the role of International Director of the United States Martial Artist Association in July 2025. SGM Rankin appointed Dr. Joseph Bannon, Grandmaster and 10th Degree Black Belt, and Grandmaster Clarence Murray, Grandmaster and 10th Degree Black Belt, as members of the USMAA Board of Advisors.

 

SGM William A. Rankin continues to train and teach Uchuno Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do to his students in his dojo at his home in Palm Coast, Florida, USA.

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Professional Training
1965 – U.S. Army Basic Training – Ft. Dix NJ
1965 – U.S. Army Marksmanship School – Ft. Dix NJ
1965 – U.S. Army Infantry Special Combat School – Ft. Dix NJ
1966 – U.S. Army Security Specialist School – Ft. Gordon Ga
1966 – Search and Assault Tactics – Orleans, France
1966 – Prisoner Jail and Housing Procedures – Orleans, France
1966 – Emergency Response Course – Orleans, France
1967 – International Police Armed Defensive Tactics – Bien Hoa, South Vietnam
1967 – International Police Unarmed Defensive Tactics – Bien Hoa, South Vietnam
1967 – Jungle Warfare, South Vietnamese Army – Di-an, South Vietnam
1971 – U.S. Air Force Medical Technology – Sheppard AFB, TX
1977 – Human Relations Education – Kadena AFB, Okinawa
1977 – Police Defensive Tactics – San Antonio, TX
1979 – NCO leadership School – Randolph AFB, TX
1979 – NCO Academy – Randolph AFB, TX
1979 – Administrator OJT Trainer – Maxwell AFB, AL
1985 – International Espionage Prevention – Beale AFB, CA
2002 – Police Kubaton Control Bar Basic Course – Moore, OK
2002 – Police Kubaton Control Bar Instructor Course – Meridian, MS
2002 – Universal Restraint Systems (Handcuffing) – Moore, OK
2002 – Oleo Capsicum Spray Instructor – Moore, OK
2023 – Swat Team Instructor – Dallas, Tx Palm Coast, FL

Law Enforcement Certification
P-3678 – Police Defensive Tactics – Maryland
P-7832 – Police Defensive Tactics instructor – Maryland
P-9639 – Use of Force Tactics – Maryland
P-9640 – Universal Restraint Systems instructor (Handcuffing) – Maryland
P-9641 – Police Kubaton Control Bar Tactics – Maryland
P-10017 – Defensive Tactics Disarming – Maryland
P-10018 – Oleo Capsicum Spray Instructor – Maryland
P-10019 – Expandable baton Instructor – Maryland
2002-0001OK – Police Defensive Tactics Instructor – Oklahoma
2002-0002OK – Police Kubaton Control Tactics – Oklahoma
2002-0003OK – Police Kubaton Control Bar Instructor – Oklahoma
2002-0004OK – Oleo Capsicum Spray Instructor – Oklahoma

Health Care Training - Certification
1971 – United States Air Force Allied Health – Sheppard AFB, Texas, Medical Laboratory Technology
1971 – Carswell AFB Hospital Fort Worth, Texas, Medical Laboratory Technology
2005 – American Medical Technologist , Medical Technologist
2008 – American Heart Association, CPR and AED, VA Hospital Martinsburg, WV