Gender

Male

Birth date

1944-9-2

Place of birth

Tule Lake CA, U.S.A.

Inducted

, Cleveland OH

Enlistment type

Draftee

Service branch

Army

Service type

War

Unit type

Combat

Units served

196th Light Infantry Brigade American Calvalry Division

Military specialty

Combat radio communications repair.

Stationed

Ft. Jackson, S.C.; Ft. Benning, Ga.; Ft. Devons, Mass.; Tay Ninh, Vietnam; Chu Lai, Vietnam.

Separated

Oakland CA

Unit responsibility

Occupation and territory security in Tay Ninh; Air field security in Chu Lai.

Personal responsibility

Radio and communications repair; Radioman for company commander.

Major battles (if served in a war zone)

Iron Triangle

Awards, medals, citations (individual or unit)

Combat Infantryman's Badge; Vietnam Service Medals; Unit Citation - Rescue Mission.

Living conditions

Vietnam base camp was life in a tent and canvas cot. Field operations was life under a poncho, no bath for the duration of the operation which could be weeks and up to a month. C-rations for 2 to 3 meals a day. Constant life and death awareness. Sleep only in 2 hour intervals every night. No hot water, no running water, no toilets. Mail may take weeks, always out of sequence. Constant frustrations, R&R went to Hong Kong & Tokyo. Didn't have enough money to do anything.

Most vivid memory of military experience

I found out what Hell was like. I lived it. I lost a lot of faith in America and what we were doing there, I wish I could say I was proud of what I did there. I am proud that I had the chance to show my belief in this country - not its politicians.

Missed most whilst in the military

My girlfriend and wife; a good hot meal and bath.

Most important thing, personally, to come from military experience?

The military helped me mature faster and gave me the determination to make something of myself, go to school, raise a family, and enjoy life. The military can help many in time of peace and destroy many more in war. To the winner goes the spoils - how true that is.

Additional information

The American public had no idea what was going on in Vietnam. They were being fed propaganda that was made up at military H.Q.'s and in Washington.