Photo In Uniform |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USA Veteran
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Current/Last Rank
Sergeant First Class
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Current/Last Service Branch
Infantry
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Current/Last Primary MOS
11G50-Infantry Senior Sergeant
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Current/Last MOS Group
Infantry
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Primary Unit
1967-1975, 00F, 108th Training Command (IET)
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Previously Held MOS
11B10-Infantryman
111.60-Infantry Squad Leader
11B20-Infantryman
00F-Drill Sergeant
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Service Years
1964 - 1975
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Other Languages
Vietnamese
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Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
Cold War Certificate
Golden Dragon Certificate
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1978, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Life Member (Member)
- Chap. Page
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1986, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 530 (Member) (Anderson, South Carolina)
- Chap. Page
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1995, 25th Infantry Division Association
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1995, American Veterans (AMVETS), Post 100 (Member) (Etowah, South Carolina)
- Chap. Page
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1998, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
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2009, American Legion, Post 206 (Member) ( Spartanburg, South Carolina)
- Chap. Page
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2009, Combat Infantrymen's Association, Inc., A, Co 1St BN, 1St Regt (Member) (Columbia, South Carolina)
- Chap. Page
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2010, WWII Memorial National Registry
- Assoc. Page
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2011, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 10431, Gaffney Post (National President) (Gaffney, South Carolina)
- Chap. Page
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2011, National Rifle Association (NRA)
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2011, Patriot Guard Riders, South Carolina Chapter (Deceased Member (Honor Roll)) (South Carolina)
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2011, Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association
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2011, Wounded Warrior Project2
- Assoc. Page
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What are you doing now:
I was a Certified Trauma Specialist working with Veterans and their Families as a Counselor/Therapist. MEd from University of South Carolina in Rehabilitation Counseling. Retired under Combat Disability 100+%
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Other Comments:
First Placement in Salem Virginia, 2nd Placement in Greenville South Carolin at the Vet Center and VA Clinic. Ran a satalite office out of Spartanburg Tecnical College
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1964-1966, 11B10, 25th Infantry Division (Tropic Lightning)
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1964-1966, 111.60, HHC, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry
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1965-1965, HHC, Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV)
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1965-1965, 11B20, 341st Aviation Support Detachment, 1st Aviation Brigade
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1965-1965, 118th Aviation Company, 145th Aviation Battalion
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1967-1967, 00F, 5th Infantry Division
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1967-1967, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry
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1967-1975, 00F, 108th Training Command (IET)
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1978, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Life Member (Member)
- Chap. Page
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1986, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 530 (Member) (Anderson, South Carolina)
- Chap. Page
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1995, 25th Infantry Division Association
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1995, American Veterans (AMVETS), Post 100 (Member) (Etowah, South Carolina)
- Chap. Page
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1998, Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
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2009, American Legion, Post 206 (Member) ( Spartanburg, South Carolina)
- Chap. Page
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2009, Combat Infantrymen's Association, Inc., A, Co 1St BN, 1St Regt (Member) (Columbia, South Carolina)
- Chap. Page
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2010, WWII Memorial National Registry
- Assoc. Page
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2011, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW), Post 10431, Gaffney Post (National President) (Gaffney, South Carolina)
- Chap. Page
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2011, National Rifle Association (NRA)
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2011, Patriot Guard Riders, South Carolina Chapter (Deceased Member (Honor Roll)) (South Carolina)
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2011, Vietnam Helicopter Crew Members Association
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2011, Wounded Warrior Project2
- Assoc. Page
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Reflections on SFC Marthers's
US Army Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
My brother was in the 5th Special Forces and had served one tour in Vietnam. I had just turned 17 and felt that I was being held back in school, because I was bored with the subjects required.
I joined July 7, 1964 and went to Ft, Jackson for reception,then to Ft Gordon for Basic and AIT. I came out top trainee and was asked to volunteer for the Old Guard in Washington D.C. I said no because I wanted to be Airborne and in the SF.
When I got to Ft Benning and 3/4 of the way through jump school, I asked to speak to an SF Recruiter. When he asked my name, he looked up and said do you have a brother or cousin in the SF? I said my brother. He said we can't take you. Go into the Rangers. I applied and was accepted, but was injured half way thru training. I got my orders for Hawaii and the 25th Division.
I was assigned to Co A 1st Bn 14th Inf. Golden Dragons. I was there for a month and volunteered for Doorgunner Training with Shotgun X. We went to BeinHoa in Dec.1964 and extended until Nov 1965. We went back to Hawaii leaving the 118th Avn. Co 1st Avn, Bde. just in time to return to Vietnam at Plekiu. We were the 3rd Brigade and got the name Bastard Brigade because we were separated from the Division.
After being Medevaced in Nov.1966, I was sent to Ft. Sill for D.I.School and the to Ft. Carson to train the 1st Bn 11th Mech.Infantry 5th Inf. Div. I left there in July '67 and went to Ft. Jackson and was assigned to 108th Airborne Training Division as a D.I. I finally had enough ad got out in 1975.
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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?
To Serve my Country and Flag with Honor, Pride and Valor. To be the best soldier I could be and make my Family proud. I still serve through service to my Military Brothers and Sisters that I can provide assistance to.
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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 ! Doings Xoi, Bein Hoa, Iron Triangle, Ladrang Valley, Ben Cat, Song Be. Those battles I saw friends die and others do things that were unbelievable. I was wounded at Doings Xoi,BeinHoa, And severely wounded in 1966 in the adrang Valley when my platoon was ambushed by a Battalion Of NVA. We fought for 18 hours and was finally relieved by C Co. 1st/14th after 18 dead and all the rest of us wounded. I was the last to be medivaced because I wanted all my men. wounded and Dead out before me. Col. Proctor carried me to his Helicopter and sent me to the 75th Evac. Hospital in Nha Trang.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The Day we were ambushed and the sound of the mortars and Bugles, whistles, yelling,and shooting. Killing an NVA with my intrenching tool and another with my Helmet. Finding my best friend blown almost in half and still alive. He died in my arms. Clarence Casto was a Soldier's Soldier. He had been in 14 years and he taught me a great deal. I remember him everyday.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Yes, at Beinhoa I pulled the last SF out and had to kick and shoot the VC off the skids of my helicopter. In 1966 when we were ambushed. They were given to me! I earned my CIB and wings.
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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 CIB. because it takes a special courage to fight barrel to barrel and live thru the first 30 days in such a position where you depend on a rifle and your courage and wits.
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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?
SFC Clarence L. Casto. He taught me how to be a man and stand for what is right and to be afraid but not runaway. He taught me to lead and to be honest, to do the job no matter what I was ordered to do, As long as it was a legal order. He taught me to hold my head high and serve the people that wanted and deserved Freedom. He taught me that God, Family, Flag and Country were all a man needed to live.
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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?
We were in a circle in the jungle at about 4:30 AM we got mortared. Casto and I dive for the hole and he has his butt sticking up. a 60mm round hit just behind the hole berm and blew the seat of Casyo pants off. He wasn't hit. After the last round he whistles to me ,Marthers is blood lumpy and brown? I said no Cass I believe its red! He said good I just messed my pants, I thought I might be bleeding to death, I laughed so hard I nearly choked. for 10 days he had to walk around with his butt showing and every time I saw him I would start snickering and he would grab me and hold me down and noogie my head.
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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 finished High School, Got My BA form Limestone College, Finished my Masters Degree from the University Of South Carolina an MEd. in Rehab counseling and went to work as a Counselor/Therapist for the Vet Centers. Before that I had 28 different jobs in 20 years, some lasted almost all day! I was retired on disability after serving 22 years and 3 months of Federal service at 50 years old. I HATE RETIREMENT!!!!
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
VFW,DAV,AMERICAN Legion,Vietnam Helicopter Crewmembers Assn. International, Combat Infantrymans Association, VVA, Military Order of the Purple Heart, I am a past District Commander of the VFW, and aService consultant to the CIB Assn. I get nothing from them other than E-Mails and requests for money. I am a life member of all.
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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 am strong,strict but fair,I tell someone something I expect it to be done, not wait a minute. My family says I am still a DI.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Do your Job! I am proud of you. I think you are some of the best equipted and some of the best thst America has to offer. You will come home stronger. smarter and s better lesdership person than we have now. When you get out contnue to serve. Public Office, Community,State,Federal, but always keep God Family Flag Country and your buddies first. Turn America around!
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
I am brand new in this, No comment yet!
DMR
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