Shelton, Garry, SGT

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
A little thing called "The Draft".

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
After Basic Training at Ft. Campbell, Ky, I went to Ft. Knox, Ky where I was a supply clerk (because I was a grocery clerk in civilian life before being drafted) and a truck driver and a lawn mower operator and the Communications Department at the Armor School.

After serving at Ft. Knox for about 8 months I was sent to Vietnam. While at the 22nd Replacement Battalion the Security/Intelligence Section at the Depot at Cam Ranh needed a typist. In a formation at the 22nd, they asked if anyone could type and I freely admitted I could. I was sent to HHC, 504th Field Depot at Cam Ranh. After about two months I was promoted and appointed Administrative Supervisor.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
I did not see any direct combat, although our area did experience a rocket attack during the Tet Offensive in 1968.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Basic Training was made more pleasant (if you could call it that) because there were many guys from my home town drafted at the same time. I made many good friends at Ft Knox and it was only about 150 miles or so from my home town and I was able to come and hang out on the block most weekends when I wasn't on duty.

The friends I made in Vietnam are very special. I have always considered them as brothers, much like fraternity brothers which a lot of my home town friends had in college while I was serving in the military.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Guys from Tennessee receiving all the end of cycle awards after Basic Training. Coming home on weekends from Ft Knox. R&R to Australia.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
No. I received the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
The Vietnam Campaign Medal because so many young men during that period were there. Regardless of what a lot of folks say today, in my opinion Vietnam was a "poor man's war". If you see the ribbon you know what it is and you can relate to other people who know what it is.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
Sergeant Major Milarm Arnold. He recognized what potential I might have had and he trusted me to perform.

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
When I went on R&R to Sydney, my friend (from the 4th Inf Div) and I each had about $100 left on our last day there. We thought if we went back with money left over our buddies would think we didn't have a good time, so we would get a taxi from one side of town to the other and tip the driver $10. Then we'd get another one to take us back where we started and tip him $10. We did this several times until we had depleted our cash down to an acceptable level.

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I went back to my old job as a grocery clerk after being discharged. After a few months I went to work for "the telephone company". I worked as a craftsman for a few years then went into management. I was in management for many years then decided I was tired of the number games and cheating, so I went back to "climbing telephone poles". I retired after 32 years, then became a Judicial Commissioner (basically a Night Court Judge). After about 8 years of dealing with the dregs of the earth (and a heart attack), I am now totally retired. I recommend it to all my friends.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a life member of the VFW, although I do not actively participate.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
Hardly a day goes by that I do now think of my military service. I was barely 19 years old when I went in. I was still a child. I became a man in a hurry. The military does not necessarily teach you what needs to be done, but it does teach you make a decision and execute to the best of your ability.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
For the last 4 months, I have been searching for friends that I served with in Vietnam, 43 years ago. It's difficult, at best, trying to find someone after 43 years! So far I have found 17 friends. I am still searching for one, and another one is fallen. We have a reunion scheduled for next week. Everyone is very excited. I think we're all anticipating this get-together so eagerly because we are all remembering a time and experiences we shared WHEN WE WERE YOUNG. My advice to young servicemen and women would be to KEEP IN TOUCH with your friends. They mean a great deal to you now, but in years to come, they will mean even more.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US Army

It's like keeping the brotherhood intact. I am hoping to reconnect with some friends from the past.

DS 12/14/2016