Best Friends
Paul Stewart, Larry Tagert (KIA), Chuck Thompson (KIA), Kenneth Rogers (KIA), Boulger, TT, Tony Catalano, Stress, Doc White.
Best Moment
Coming Home.
Worst Moment
Feb. 3rd 1968 TET, M72 LAW (Light Anti-tank Weapon) Rocket Launcher Exploded on my shoulder while I was attempting to launch the Rocket at a VC Bunker.
Chain of Command
I am unable to locate my unit from the list supplied here. I was in The First Infantry Division (Big Red 1), 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, Charlie Company.
Other Memories
Bugs, Snakes, Leaches, Mosquitos, Scorpions, Spiders (Big ass Spiders), Fire Ants. The Jungles sucked. Had 3 Captains in 4 months. They were having us do extremely dangerous things that were getting guys injured and killed like taking the company on a patrol into a mapped mine field.
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Comments Just 3 days after the 1968 Tet offensive, I was wounded while trying to fire a LAW (Light Antitank Weapon) at a VC bunker. Instead of launching the rocket, the rocket blew up on my shoulder. Only God ... Just 3 days after the 1968 Tet offensive, I was wounded while trying to fire a LAW (Light Antitank Weapon) at a VC bunker. Instead of launching the rocket, the rocket blew up on my shoulder. Only God knows how I lived through this explosion. MoreHide
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Comments An M72 LAW Rocket Launcher exploded on my shoulder while I was trying to take out a VC bunker. The LAW was put into service in Vietnam in 1962 and it was found to have a major design flaw; Pre-ignitio... An M72 LAW Rocket Launcher exploded on my shoulder while I was trying to take out a VC bunker. The LAW was put into service in Vietnam in 1962 and it was found to have a major design flaw; Pre-ignition of the Rocket either in the tube or just as it was leaving the tube. Apparently the Military felt that the number of those exploding was an acceptable loss. I have been fighting the VA Disability system now for over 12 years over damages the explosion did to my skeletal system. They blatantly what us to give up or die. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of Sout... The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of South Vietnam. The actions cited are for the same services that would have resulted in the award of a Valorous Unit Citation by the Army or a Navy Unit Citation. MoreHide
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Your memories of this course
Worst Moment
In Basic Training I was a Squad Leader. Accepting this duty was accomanied by a guaranteed promotion. About the second week of Basic Training (Fort Bliss TX) about 20 guys were pulled out of all the various companies to go watch a video and hear a speach. They told us that we had all scored high on the Entrance Aptitude tests. They wanted us to go to OCS (Officers Candidate School). In order to do that we had to sign up for anbother year. We had been drafted for two years. A lot of the guys accepted the offer but a group of us refused. They kept after us thhroughout the 8 weeks of Basic. At the end of Basic, each squad leader had to select a certaibn number of guys from his squad to promote to PFC Private First Class. The last day of Basic they handed out our new Orrders. Everyone was going home for two weeks leave prior to heading off to AIT (Advanced Individual Training) The 4 of us that refused to go to OCS were not going on leave. They witheld our promotions to PFC for refusing OCS. They also sent us to Tigerland at Fort Polk LA where we would go through Jungle Warefare Training. We were locked in baracks with an MP guarding the dooor so we did not get out. We were only allowed out of the baracks to go to chow and were then walked back to the baracks. I lost a lot of respect for the US Army at that point.
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Paul Stewart, Larry Tagert (KIA), Chuck Thompson (KIA), Kenneth Rogers (KIA), Boulger, TT, Tony Catalano, Stress, Doc White.
Coming Home.
Feb. 3rd 1968 TET, M72 LAW (Light Anti-tank Weapon) Rocket Launcher Exploded on my shoulder while I was attempting to launch the Rocket at a VC Bunker.
I am unable to locate my unit from the list supplied here. I was in The First Infantry Division (Big Red 1), 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, Charlie Company.
Bugs, Snakes, Leaches, Mosquitos, Scorpions, Spiders (Big ass Spiders), Fire Ants. The Jungles sucked. Had 3 Captains in 4 months. They were having us do extremely dangerous things that were getting guys injured and killed like taking the company on a patrol into a mapped mine field.