Best Friends Kenny "Cochise: Bunner, died in Oklahoma City after retiring as a Green Beret Larry Darnall, good friend whom I have traveled to South America and Alaska and around this country with. A really solid person. Both of them were in 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon with me and Larry was WIA and medevaced with me.
Best Moment July 4th 1969, when I realized that I was accepted as no longer a cherry, but a dependable survivor and company member; a proven and accepted warrior.
Worst Moment Leaving the company after being wounded and medically evacuated to Japan. Clashing with the Ojii Army Hospital Administrator (Colonel) and not being promoted to sergeant like the Army Regulations required, and not being allowed to return to combat with my unit, or any unit for political reasons, or being sent to Korea like all my wounded peers at the time.
Chain of Command Company A, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry (Geronimo), 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) [Screaming Eagles]
Placed under the command of the First Brigade during Operation Lamar Plain (most of my time in-country)
Other Memories Rifleman, 3rd squad, 3rd platoon, April to May, 1969; Acting Squad Leader, 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon, May 1969; 90mm recoilless rifle team. assistant gunner, 2nd platoon. May-June 1969; Rifleman, 3rd squad, 3rd platoon. June 1969; M-60 machine gunner, Weapons Platoon, July 1969. Medevaced to Japan until 10 September 1969 Reassigned to A 1/501/ not present 12 Sept Reassigned to Fort Benning, GA 22 Sept 1969
