I chose the U.S. Army to expeditiously fulfill my military obligation to our country. I had been drafted but used college deferral to earn my degree. Promptly after graduation, I received my induction notice. However, I was advised I would not have a firm date to enter the service for some six to nine months.
I could not tolerate the indefinite wait. I explored the Navy and Air Force, but they were not accepting enlistees in the summer of 1968. The Marines were not accepting enlistees seeking Officer Candidate School (OCS) and commission. So, I enlisted in the Army on July 28, 1968, with a two-year commitment and targeted OCS. I was identified as “Regular Army." I progressed to E-5 Specialist rank and then extended my service one year to complete OCS.
Commissioned a second lieutenant, I completed Airborne School, Ranger School, and was assigned to the 1/505th of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. In 1970, I was assigned to the 3/7th of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. In heavy air assault ground combat, I led U.S. Army forces and Army of the Republic of Vietnam Airborne Ranger forces in Vietnam’s III Corps Central Highlands and Cambodia. I lost none of my soldiers, although we had serious casualties. I earned my Combat Infantry Badge, two Bronze Stars and a Silver Star. Again, I was reassigned to Headquarters Unit, 25th Division. I garnered the preferential duty of G-2 counterinsurgency intelligence officer tasked with daily briefing the division’s commanding general on enemy actions.
On April 15, 1971, I returned to the United States and civilian life with inactive reserve status. Since my military duty, I have actively fostered veterans from all military branches in their career growth. I was a Disabled American Veterans chapter commander, president of our Military Officers of Association of America chapter, and I actively support veteran causes. My 2019 published book, "Value in Valor," chronicles my military career, as does the Library of Congress Veterans History Project at https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.125099.
Serving our country in the U.S. Army has been my honor and privilege.
