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Service Details |
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Service Status
USA Veteran
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Final Rank
Specialist 4
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Last Service Branch
Armor
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Last MOS
11D10-Armor Reconnaissance Specialist
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Last MOS Group
Armor
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Primary Unit
1965-1966, HHT, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry
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Previously Held MOS
19D20-Cavalry Scout
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Service Years
1964 - 1966
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What are you doing now:
At the present time work for Vietnam Veterans of America State of Illinois Veterans Service Office - at the Chicago VA Regional Office. 2122 W. Taylor St. Chicago, IL. Working on Benefit Claims for Veterans and family members - past & present
Retired Manager from Illinois Bell, Ameritech/SBC Telecommunications after 30 yrs service. Worked in Transportation Department, DS I&M. Installation, repair. Test Desk. Special Service, Planning and Engineering.
Then was a Manager for the Archodiceese of Chicago and ran the Mtce for our Parish for 12 years.
Owned my own telecommunications company for a few years after Ameritech/SBC and the Archodiceese of Chicago.
I am on the Mayor of Chicago Veterans Advisory Council - as a member and have been for 20 yrs.
Was the Program Chairman for the Chicago Weclome Home Parade in 1986. Was the Co-Chairman for the New Chicago Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedicated on Nov. 11th, 2005 in Downtown Chicago. Was an Active member of the New Illinois State Vietnam Veterans Memorial that was dedicated in 1988 in Springfield, IL. Am presently on the Mayfair Veterans Committee in our local 39th Ward in the City of Chicago.
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Reflections on SP4 McGill's
US Army Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
 | | Loading LST's in Okie to head to Vietnam I was on LST Westchester County 1157. |
I was drafted into the U.S. Army - was proud to have served my country and it was a way that shaped my life after my time serving.
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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?
Basic Training - Ft. Knox, KY.
AIT Training - Scout School 11D10 - Ft. Knox, KY.
A Troop 1/2 nd Cavalry - Ft. Hood, TX.
HQ & HQ Troop 3/4 Cavalry - Schofield Barracks, Hawaii & Cu Chi Vietnam 25th Inf Div.
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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?
Yes, saw combat in Vietnam - we were the Armor Recon for the 25th Infantry Division at Cu Chi. Letting the South Vietnam people live in Freedom and make their own decisions.
The Major Operations:
Circle Pines: 30 Mar - 4 Apr '66.
Kahuka: 7 - 8 Apr. '66.
Makaha 11 - 14 Apr '66.
Kaena 13 - 14 Apr. '66.
Kahala 16 - 21 Apr. '66.
Maili 27 Apr '66
Combat operations directed at the VC during April resulted in the following VC losses:
VC KIA (BC) 153
VC KIA (poss) 587
VCC 10
VCS 241
Rice Captured (Tons) 27.75
Weapons Captured 79
Division Casualties 1 Jan 30 - April 1966
KIA 91
WIA 914
MIA 0
DOW 17
Non-Battle - (Serious) 15
Non-Battle - (Dead) 12
Total = 1,049
Month AMBUSHES ENEMY Contacts Enemy Losses
FEB 198 32 32 (BC) 15 (poss)
Mar 111 11 22(BC) 24 (poss)
APR 85 11 45(BC) 20 (poss)
Totals 394 54 99(BC) 59 (poss)
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Hawaii - Schofield Barracks - Hawaii 25th Inf Div & Cu Chi Vietnam.
Because we were a very close-knit Unit - had Pride in what we did, in our Unit the 3/4 Cavalry MACKINZES RAIDERS. How hard we trained but the best Officer's and NCO's the U.S. Army had at that time. Because of the motto of our Unit Paratus Et Fidelis (Prepared & Loyal) - we all live by this Motto even to this day. We are one of the Oldest Units of the U.S. Army and have 82 Battle Streamers on our Squadron Banner.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Knowing to this day all the guys that I served with and how close we all are.
Fondest Memories were with the "MACKINZIE RAIDERS" 3/4 Cavalry.
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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?
All of them to tell the truth.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
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Sgt E7 Russo - Platoon Leader in Basic Training Major Heisel - XO 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Major Russell - XO 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Their Leadership and teaching me, to be a Soldier in the U.S. Army. I owe them an awful lot for all they did for me, and how they showed me to be the Best that I could be.
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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?
Yes, the day I ate two pepperonis that Vinnie Fallone received from his mother and father while we were in Vietnam. We still laugh at that to this day, but not at the time, Vinnie was really mad that I did that.
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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?
After the Military I was a Manager for Illinois Bell Telephone Company/Ameritech/SBC for 30 yrs. Currently retired twice. But work three days a week at Vietnam Veterans Of American Veterans Service Office, helping Veterans with their claims as a Staff Assistant.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Belong to Vietnam Veterans Of America Chapter #242 Chicago.
The Mayfair Veterans 39th Ward City of Chicago.
Life Member 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Chapter.
Life Member 25th Infantry Division Association.
Friendship with other Vietnam Veterans and work on Veterans Projects.
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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?
My service has given me Leadership skills, able to work with people from all walks of life. Made me a strong leader and not afraid to take on any job or project, and self-confidence. Showed me how to be a Great Basketball coach and leader and teacher. It has made me a better person, husband, and father, and appreciate the
small things in life, and everything that I have. I am thankful for it.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Learn and listen from your leaders. They will teach you and show you many things in the military and that will be applied to life after the military.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
 | | Together We Served and Veteran Community |
I have met many I have served with through this type of program, very useful and helpful. We have reunions every two years with many of them. Just came back from one this past May in Nashville, TN. Next one is in 2018 at Colorado Springs, CO. Meeting new Veterans that have served, and those that are serving today. DS 10/23/17
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