Eister, Denny, 1LT

PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
My decision to join the military was not really my decision. I was drafted! I was kind of an immature college student, having more fun partying than paying attention to my grades. The result was my becoming available for a change in lifestyle. I think my draft number was either 13 or 18, so I knew my next few years were planned for me.

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 at Fort Knox, KY. I was number 1 in my BCT class and they pushed me hard to go to OCS. I knew I was headed to Vietnam so at that point I figured why not get an extra 6 months training. AIT was at Fort Dix, NJ. I'd already been accepted to OCS and was just waiting for a slot in a class to open up. Next to Fort Benning for OCS. I learned a lot at The Infantry School because I was focused on where I thought I was going next. Once I graduated they surprised me and kept me at Benning as an OCS Tactical Officer.

Being a fresh graduate of the program, I'm sure I wasn't the nicest Tac Officer around. I was there for one cycle (6 mo) and then home on leave before Vietnam. My first assignment in Vietnam was as an Infantry Platoon Leader with the 1st Bn 2nd Inf, First Infantry Division. My first base camp was in Phuoc Vinh. About half way through my tour the 101st took over our base camp. We moved to Quan Loi. A French Rubber Plantation near the Cambodian Border. After 6 months on line I was rotated back as HQ Co XO. This lasted about one month. We were short on officers, so I became a Task Force S-3, (an O-4 slot and I was an O-2). I did this until my tour ended.

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?
My time in the field felt like a constant combat operation. We'd get intel about enemy activity in a certain area and we'd load up on the choppers and head out. As far as any action being more significant than others, any time your being shot at it becomes significant. You find out what your all about and quickly measure the capability of your men. I knew my primary mission was to accomplish my mission but I discovered that if I made the welfare of my men just as important, we became an incredible fighting unit.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
Vietnam, both Phuoc Vinh and Quan Loi. The camaraderie and the closeness that can only be shared in combat situations.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Graduation from OCS and being a competent Combat Infantry Platoon Leader.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
First of all, none of the actions you take are to earn medals. They are just reactions to situations and a measure of what you're all about. The Bronze Star w/V that I earned was for running out into a heavy firefight and rescuing my Platoon Sergeant, who had been wounded by a sniper in a tree. Also for taking out a group of VC that were trying to flank us during this firefight. Once the battle was over, since I was the only surviving platoon leader I had to lead the remainder of the company through 3 miles of jungle at night back to our base camp.

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?
They all were but I think the CIB was the most meaningful. We all think we know what were made of until we're tested. Then we finally know!!

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
I guess my first Battalion Commander in Vietnam. He would only let his platoon leaders carry a .45. He said our job was to be a leader not a rifleman. Try going into combat with only a .45. You'll be surprised how fast your focus shifts to being the most effective leader you can be.

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?
I grew up in Flint, Michigan and to my amazement my jeep driver at my first base camp in Vietnam was from Lansing, Michigan, about 30 miles away. He was one of the funniest people I've ever met and I still smile when I think about him.

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?
When I got out, I immediately used my GI bill and got my degree from The University of Michigan. My first job was as a stockbroker. After 5 years of that and helped out by 20% interest rates I left that profession and went into Automobile Dealership Management where I spent 30 years. Never being one to sit still I am currently an Independent Insurance Agent.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
The Black Scarf Battalion and am thinking about VFW. I haven't joined yet.

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 dad and 3 uncles all served in WWll, I served in Vietnam and my brother in Germany. My son is a Naval Academy Graduate, class of 96, who went on to fly Seahawks (helicopters) off a Destroyer. Military service is a proud tradition in our family. Even though I was in for only a short period of time, it has impacted the way I live my life in many ways. I'm proud to call myself a patriot.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Thank you for all you do. Each generation passes the torch to the next and we seem to get better and better. Keep up the tradition that we're all proud of.

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

TWS and the US Army

It took me 40 years to work up the courage to go to the Wall in DC. Those memories good and bad were buried very deep. Finally I was able to resurrect most of those memories and put a positive spin on them. TWS has helped me be more open about the experience.

DB 1/26/2017