Sgt. Ireland of D-6-2

Late in 1964 it became apparent that President Johnson would be expanding President Kennedy's war, so I enlisted in the Army to gain some control over where I would serve.
Early on January 6, 1966 I arrived at Ft. Jackson, S.C. and was assigned to my training company. Our drill sergeant introduced himself as Sgt. Ireland and told us he was going to make us into men. We would experience many difficulties but he did not want anyone ever falling out of an exercise. He worked with us as a company and as individuals to get every man through and ready to face whatever the Army had in store for us.
Every morning each of his squad leaders got the troops up half an hour before reville so that we and our barracks would be in first rate order. One time he pointed out that his uniform was perfect but if any of us ever was better we could have a weekend pass. Nobody ever collected.
At the end of our eight weeks I was promoted to E-2 and sent on to AIT.
In his final comments to us Sgt. Ireland reminded us that we had been a brotherhood and we should always remember our unit, D-6-2. Obviously I have remembered the unit and his impact on us.

John Hamilton, Waxahachie, Texas

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