Photo In Uniform |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USA Veteran
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Current/Last Rank
Staff Sergeant
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Current/Last Service Branch
Infantry
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Current/Last Primary MOS
11B10-Infantryman
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Current/Last MOS Group
Infantry
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Primary Unit
1968-1969, 11E10, HHT, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry
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Previously Held MOS
11E10-Armor Crewman
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Service Years
1968 - 1970
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Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
Order of the Spur
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Reflections on SSG Slocum's
US Army Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I was drafted in may 1968 after several Medical and Student Deferments. To me it was not all a bad thing, but I knew I would end up in Vietnam. Vietnam was a year I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, but I would trade it for anything. I learned a lot about myself and others and grew-up VERY quickly.
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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?
I did by Basic Training and AIT at Fort Ord California. I was assigned to the 3rd Squadron 4TH Armored Cavalry 2nd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division Based in Chu Chi, Vietnam. Several Field Promotions moved me to the rank of SSgt and was in country 365 days.
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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?
All of our Combat was significant. I learned a lot about myself in that year and would not trade it for anything, but would not wish it on my worst enemy.
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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?
Vietnam was both my fondest and my worst. Fondest because of the BOND that was built between "BROTHERS" that still strong and growing today. Worst because I watched a VERY "Special" Brother die a horrible death.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The many friends that I mad and the Special ones that made the Ultimate Sacrifice.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I was awarded The Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars with V, the Army Commendation Metal with V, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and 2 Purple Hearts. All were for actions that had to be done and most done without thinking about what I was doing. If I had thought first, they probably wouldn't have happened.
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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?
The Silver Star. I was able to rescue one fallen comrade and safely treat two others, but one was lost.
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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?
SSgt James Fenney (Kia), Jim and I had sat and talked for hours the night before he was killed. We were about the same age, but he seemed to have his life together and was looking forward to going home to his family and Fiancee. Jim, like most of us, felt that if it was our "time" when the Bell Rang that we were prepared for that time. He was killed the next afternoon in one of our toughest actions.
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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?
In Vietnam, the simplest of amenities were hard to come by. Showers were few and far between, so when you had a chance, you took advantage of any water that was available to clean off some of the dirt and grime. We had posted for convoy security at a culvert near by and a bomb crater that had filled with water. The perfect bath tub. A few of us stripped down and were bathing when one of the guys hollered "camera". We all grabbed for something to cover up with and I managed to grab a small, blue, plastic tub and got it in front of me just as the picture was taken. I still chuckle when I see that picture.
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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?
I returned to my job before I was drafted which was with a company that made aluminum Baseball bats and pool cues. I then worked for a company in the window treatment industry and several position around the country. I then worked for another window treatment company and moved to Sturgis, Michigan in 1984. After 13 years with them the company was sold and I moved on to working in the automobile industry for another 10 years. I am now retired and still living in White Pigeon, MI.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I am a member of the Veterans of Forgien Wars, the 3/4 Cav Association, the 25th Infantry Division Association and Together We Served.
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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?
I learned that if you can't do it yourself, don't expect some one else to do it..
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
On one hand I wish that I had stayed in and retired from the Military, but on the other I wouldn't have met my wonderful wife of 35 years. I have a son-in- law in the Air Force who has made the choice to make it a career, which I feel is the wisest thing he could do. Especially with today's economic turmoil.
If a young person does not have a firm plan for higher education or a set job upon graduation from High School, they should be required to join the military.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
It has helped me be proud of my service and the people that I served with and all of the brave persons that continue the HONOR of maintaining our safety and liberties. God Bless all of them. **
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