Photo In Uniform |
Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USA Veteran
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Current/Last Rank
Specialist 4
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Current/Last Service Branch
Signal Corps
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Current/Last Primary MOS
72B10-Communications Center Specialist
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Current/Last MOS Group
Signal
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Primary Unit
1968-1969, 72B10, HHC, 304th Signal Battalion
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Service Years
1967 - 1970
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What are you doing now:
I retired from the Oklahoma Medical Center after 30 years as a Surgical Specialist.
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Reflections on SP 4 Day's
US Army Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
In 1967 I spent the summer in Arizona & Southern California, not enrolled for the fall semester in college. My mother said I had a letter from my Uncle Lyndon. They didn't have to act so quickly, it was just a letter letting me know they knew I wasn't enrolled. When I got back to Oklahoma, I went to the draft board & they told me I would be 1 of 90 guys drafted from Cleveland County. I decided to beat the rush and enlisted for MOS 72B, teletype operator.
I reported on Nov 5, 1967 to the Federal Building which at that time was in an old building. Mom took me early, which I appreciated because as the room filled, a line had formed. A Gunny came in and counted off the last 15 guys in line. "But Gunny, I enlisted in the Air Force"..."Well, now you've been drafted into the Marines."
Had a 2 day flight to Ft Polk, where I started basic combat training. I was a little out of it, the awe factor. They had found out I had 1 semester of ROTC & that made me a Squad leader. Crap, I didn't want it. Maybe a good thing though, I learned the hard way how important good leadership would be, I wasn't a good leader but made it through.
After Ft Gordon I went to Korea, got off the plane into a hanger, given a GG shot in each cheek, welcome to Korea. I was given a "Secret" clearance which meant I could be in a comm center, tactical. Good & bad happened. A friend died, and I made a number of good friends, one of which I have just reconnected with. I was an E-4 when I got there & and E-4 when I left, don't know why I wasn't promoted, when I received 2 letters of Commendation & an Excellent EER rating.
I got to Frankfurt next. I thought I was going to Bremerhaven, but was sent to Berlin instead, in June of 1969. There were 2 guys from the ASA, an MP and a Green Beret with me on the duty train. They had someone to meet them at the train depot. As for me, I had to wait 2 hours before someone showed up. Still had a secret clearance so I went to work at HQ, in the basement. 12 hour shifts, low on the TOE but then I found out why it was called "Basic Combat Training" = 11B. I needed a Top Secret clearance. Next thing I know I'm at HHC 2nd Bn/6th Inf Reg. The company had just left for 'maneuvers' so the DO couldn't use my 'special' talent,. Once again that 2 semesters of college paid off. I had my Senior Life Saving and went to Special Services as a life-guard at an indoor pool, but was still listed on the 2/6 unit roster.
The vacation ended when I got my Top Secret clearance, I was made shift supervisor of midnight shift. I got out in August of 1970, not sure why, but seemed the Army didn't like me, I was given KP the day before I ETS'ed. The mess Sgt told me to go out and sit on the back porch and enjoy the New Jersey scenery. The next thing I knew, I was on campus like the last 3 years had been in a different life time. Stills seams unreal, going from Army to civilian & the only people that would recognize your service were war protesters, so I never let on to my service.
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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 didn't want to be drafted, and was able to select an MOS, 1st assignment was guaranteed.
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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?
I didn't realize that the North Koreans wanted to kill me. I can only remember 1 time when I had to lock-n-load, but don't remember the outcome. Then for some reason, I was sent to the JSA in the middle of the DMZ. The North Koreans were releasing the crew of the Pueblo and needed a secure commlink. I gave the NCOIC of the radio teletype rig the format he needed, not sure why I even remembered it. Then I was present when they tried to hold a press conference. The Pueblo's Captain couldn't put two words together. It was then that I woke up to the fact that the North Koreans were really bad. These guys were hero's, spending 11 months at the hands of a ruthless enemy. In 2009, I learned that I had gotten 2 letters of commendation for that trip. We ended the mass infiltration with Operation Focus Retina, more than 4,000 North Koreans had infiltrated the South between 1966 & 1969, killing 77 GI.'s and wounding 104.
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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?
Berlin was awesome, great night life, and not much pressure about being in danger. In Korea I lost a friend.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
There isn't one, it seems to be a series of fragmented memories.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
Nothing for bravery just the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal & the Army Occupation Medal.
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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?
I guess qualifying expert with the M-14, because I liked to shoot. And I loved that big gun, never saw an M-16 until I was in the Army National Guard.
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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?
My platoon Sgt in basic training. He took care of us but expected unquestioned obedience in return. He and Sgt Dent taught us what we needed to survive in a short 7 week basic.
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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?
When I was a life guard we changed our Commanding General. One day I should have picked up on the fact that the other 2 guys were gone, I was pushing a broom over the tile floor when this General came in with a Major in tow. He walked right up to me, I was dressed in my "jam's" bathing suit. I saluted & he returned my salute. He wanted to know why his pool was closed. I told him they had to replace some tile in the bottom of the deep end. it would take a couple months to refill the olympic size pool, which was my home during my stint as a life guard.
Then after I had returned to 'active duty', we were working 3 shifts I had to be there during the day shift. Well, "Chicken Man", the W.O. in charge of the Comm Center, begged me to trim my mustache. I agreed but didn't. The next day, I'm sending a message through the 'crypto' equipment when this General walks right up to me, same General from the pool, and asked what I was doing. I don't know if he remembered me of not, but it was strange.
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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 having 3 years as an E-4, I thought it best to get out. I didn't know how bad I had been 'damaged' mentally by Korea. I tried going back to college but failed, so in 3 years after 7 different jobs I became a Surgical Technician and did that for 30 years. I'm retired now.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
I'm a life time member of the American Legion and the Disabled Veterans Association.
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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?
Not knowing I had PTSD, I choose the surgical technician out of a need to 'pay back so to speak. In my 30 years I saved a number of people's lives, making up somewhat for not saving my friend's life.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
I've told a few young soldiers to take training seriously, your life depends on it. And when you go overseas, your not safe until you get back to the US.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
| TWS and the US Army |
I haven't connected with many, very few seem to want to participate. DB 12/30/2016
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