Atherton, Gary, SGT

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, WHAT INFLUENCED HIS/HER DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY?
I was drafted in 1969 and called into service in January of 1970. I was processed through the Induction Center in Louisville, Kentucky on January 27, 1970 and assigned to Basic Training at Fort Knox, Ky.

TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH HE/SHE TOOK IN HIS/HER MILITARY SERVICE. WHERE DID THEY GO FOR BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE THEY ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS HIS/HER REASON FOR LEAVING?
Following graduation from Basic Training I was transferred to Fort Polk, Louisiana for Advanced Infantry Training. Upon graduation from Infantry School I was assigned to service in the Republic of Vietnam and set foot in that country on July 4, 1970. I was assigned to the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, Company D, 2/1 Infantry. I later was assigned to HHC of 196th LIB.

I finished my service at Fort Benning, GA.

IF HE/SHE PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE YOU FEEL WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO HIM/HER AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY.
My initial company commander was Captain Mounts. I started out as squad RTO and later platoon RTO and then company RTO. My initial operation was Kham Duc. I was slightly wounded by friendly fire during an assault on a machine gun position when a fighter jet strafed our position thinking we were NVA. I was briefly in the field hospital at Chu Lai and returned to my unit two weeks later.

My new company commander was Lt. Richard Anshus and I served as his RTO for the remainder of my time in the field. We lost approximately one third of our company upon departing Kham Duc when we were landing at LZ Judy. An NVA soldier fired an RPG into one of our 2 hovering Chinook helicopters. The Chinook was heavily loaded with troops, mortar rounds, C-rats and ammunition. All 196th troopers on board were killed in action. The blades of the helicopter sailed over the landing zone taking the lives of troopers on LZ Judy. I was in the other hovering helicopter which was quickly diverted to LZ Mary Ann. We returned to safely land at LZ Judy the following day. We conducted patrols in the area in an attempt to find the NVA responsible for the attack.

Late in my tour I was assigned to HHC 196th Light Infantry Brigade as company clerk. Our company moved to Danang later in the year and I completed my tour in a support area near the Danang air base.

OF ALL THEIR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY HE/SHE HAD FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS THEIR LEAST FAVORITE?
Upon my return from Vietnam I was assigned to the infantry at Fort Benning, Georgia. I worked as a Sergeant in the personnel division and served as CQ.

Fort Benning was a VOLAR fort at the time and I completed my service at that location. Fort Benning was a very nice assignment.

FROM THEIR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY PERSONAL MEMORIES, YOU MAY BE AWARE OF, WHICH IMPACTED HIM/HER THE MOST.
The bravery and commitment of the soldiers I served with.

The great leadership provided by Captain Mounts and Lt. Anshus.

The devastation and sadness of losing one third of our company at LZ Judy. Many of those KIA were short timers close to rotating home.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES HE/SHE RECEIVED, WHICH WERE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO HIM/HER AND WHY?
Combat Infantryman Badge

It was, and is a symbol of pride for those who were in combat.

IF KNOWN, PLEASE LIST ANY INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM HIS/HER TIME IN THE MILITARY WHO STOOD OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON THEM AND WHY?
Captain Mounts for keeping me alive with his experience and knowledge.

Lt. Anshus for his enthusiasm and dedication to getting the job done.

Drill Sergeant Love for preparing me for battle situations.

Drill Sergeant Castleberry and Drill Sergeant Jaques for getting me thru Basic
.
Sgt.Dominqez for taking an FNG under his wing and keeping me alive.

ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM HIS/HER SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MADE THEM LAUGH LATER ON?
When I did not get mail for several days because Sgt. Love could not pronounce my name.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, WHAT PROFESSION(S) DID HE/SHE FOLLOW AFTER DISCHARGE?
I eventually ended up in the fire service where I became a paramedic. After serving 8 years with Evansville Fire Department I became a paramedic educator and later director of a county wide EMS service. I now proudly serve as Director of EMS for Porter Hospital in Valparaiso, IN.

IF KNOWN, WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS WAS HE OR SHE A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY SPECIFIC BENEFITS THEY DERIVED FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIPS?
VFW

196th LIB Association

Find a brother opportunity.

IF HE/SHE SURVIVED MILITARY SERVICE, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU BELIEVE HIS/HER SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY THEY APPROACHED THEIR PERSONAL LIFE, FAMILY LIFE AND CAREER?
The discipline and camaraderie I learned in the military have benefited me in every job I have held since. I learned that I could do things I did not think I could do and I have tried to teach others that this is true.

IF THEY WERE HERE TODAY, WHAT ADVICE DO YOU THINK HE OR SHE WOULD GIVE TO THOSE WHO FOLLOWED IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS AND RECENTLY ENTERED MILITARY SERVICE?
Keep good records of your service. You will need things later that you do not realize you need now.

HOW EFFECTIVE HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM BEEN IN HELPING YOU RECORD YOUR REMEMBERED PERSONS MILITARY SERVICE? DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE?
Provides a great tool for recording my military history that I probably would not have considered doing.

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