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| TWS Ribbon Bar |
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Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USA Retired
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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
11B10-Infantryman
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Current/Last MOS Group
Infantry (Enlisted)
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Primary Unit
1985-1986, III Corps (3rd Corps)
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Previously Held MOS
92A-Automated Logistical Specialist
00R-Recruiter
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Service Years
1964 - 1986
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Foreign Language(s)
German
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| Official/Unofficial US Army Certificates
Cold War Certificate
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What are you doing now:
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8/16/2010 1:59:17 PM
Reviews and opinions about my book "A Hard Place".
Let me begin this with saying how much I appreciate the members for their support,comments and just checking out my books and profile. The numbers to me are extremely pleasing.
Now to the gist of this post. Two and a half years ago I published my Vietnam War story, after it taking me over three years to write.Even at that I only began it after years of urging from my family and friends,especially my son (also a soldier) and my daughter (an Army Brat married to a Marine)without their prompting along with that of their mother I probably would not have written it. Even though I wrote and published it as "Thriller Novel" I had to relive a lot of ugly memories and scars from that war.Along with a bunch of fond and humorous ones. I personaly give nay damn who will,or will not,believe the story! But what I do care about is being called a "phony" and that I probably never even went to Vietnam. Well, my DD214 says I spent three tours there. The Veterans Affairs says that I am 100% Disabled because of it.I have refrained from counter attacking those few malcontent souls who felt it necessary to impune my honor. But it does not sit well with me. Hooah! It's an Army thing!!!!
Jacamo Peterson,SFC US Army (ret),Reno Nevada
My Son, also a John L Peterson has held up the five generation line of Army Service, Sgt ,19D Cavalry Scout (OPFORS) and is also now a Disabled Veteran.(also a Certified Structural and Wildland Firefighter)
My Father was also a John L Peterson MSG, 81st Inf, Pacific Theatre 1942-46
Three of my Uncles jumped into Normandy 6 Jun 1944, Two with the 101st, one with the 82nd..Two others were Merchant Marine.
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Other Comments:
Presidential Certificate of Appreciation for Armed Forces Service, Richard M Nixon President of the United States, August 1973
Letter of Appreciation for Armed Forces Service, Robert F Froehlke Secretary of the Army, August 1973
Oregon Army National Guard Commendation Medal, Richard A Miller Major General Adj Gen. May 1979
Certified Police Officer
Certified Firefighter I&II
Certified Wildland Firefighter
Certified HAZMAT First Responder
I wrote the Vietnam War book to honor the service and sacrifice of all Vietnam Veterans, Yes that includes me! To all members of all the Armed Forces who were there, whether Volunteer or Draftee, who served with Honor and Distinction, this book is dedicated to you. Let us never forget our fallen and lost Brothers. Our cause was just,Our Service was Honorable.
I Have seen TOO many movies about American forces in Vietnam, portraying the soldiers as anti-war draftees who hated the military. That was not the case,over 95% of american soldiers, marines,airmen and sailors served with honor and distinction. We did NOT lose the Vietnam War, we were pulled from the field. Hooah!
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Journeys 1964 to Date
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1964-1965, 92A, 97th Engineer Battalion
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1965-1966, 11B10, United States Forces Korea (USFK)
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1966-1966, 5th Infantry Division
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1966-1968, 11B10, 9th Infantry Division
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1968-1968, Division Support Command (DISCOM) 82nd Airborne Division
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1968-1969, 6th Battalion, 59th Air Defense Artillery
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1970-1972, 57th Transportation Battalion
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1970-1972, 11B10, 1st Logistical Command
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1972-1973, Norwalk Recruiting Company, Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion
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1973-1973, 00R, US Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)
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1975-1977, 6th Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery
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1975-1977, HHB, 32nd Army Air Defense Command (AADCOM)
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1977-1980, Wilsonville Recruiting Company, Portland Recruiting Battalion
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1980-1984, 3rd Division Material Management Center, Division Support Command (DISCOM) 3rd Infantry Division
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1980-1984, HHC, 3rd Infantry Division
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1985-1986, III Corps (3rd Corps)
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Reflections on SFC Peterson's
US Army Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE ARMY.
I come from a very large Texas family (on both sides) I had family at the Alamo. My Grandfathers were in the First World War, my Father and at least 15 others from the Family are WWII Veterans. From all the services including the Merchant Marine. I knew full well, from the time I was a young boy that I would be a Soldier. I enlisted in 1964 right out of High School because I wanted to!!
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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. WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Fourteen years Combat Arms and Combat Support, six years Recruiting Duty, two years Logistics.
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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 am rated by the VA with over 30 months in Combat Operations in Vietnam and I can truthfully say that I both loved and hated the place, dependent on the day of the week. The most significant to me was my time as an Enlisted Platoon Leader with an MRF. During all of my time in the Republic of South Vietnam. I regard everything that happened as being significant. I never was a "Hero" but I damn sure saw the elephant!
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
Arriving in Vietnam for the first time in 1966 on board a USN troop ship. Coming in to Vung Tao Harbor at daylight, hundreds of Artillery flares all around, patrol boats buzzing all around us, the sudden smell of the river and the jungle. Landing craft pulling alongside the ship. The tremendous Deja Vu of it all, just like my Daddy's war! What goes around comes around!
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I received the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation 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?
The Combat Infantry Badge, the one award that says it all. Combat Soldier.
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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?
With over twenty years in uniform, I have known and been influenced by many outstanding soldiers. Gen. Fred Mahaffy whom I knew for a long time, was about the best. He has passed on now.
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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?
There are far too many to recount here.
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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 retiring I became a Deputy Sheriff for several years and then a Firefighter at the Grand Canyon. I spent two years in the Aleutian Islands and a few other things. Now I live in Nevada and I am an author with several published works.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Presently, I am only active as an American Legion Rider, The USDR and a life Member of the DAV. I have been a member of all the Vet Orgs in the past.
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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?
Military Service was my Life and my career. I was medically retired, not of my own choosing. In my heart I am still a Soldier!
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
Keep all records of anything and everything that that happens to you, you will need them in the future. Get a College Education even if you have to do it one course at a time, use the GI Bill. Ride Hard. Shoot Straight and Speak the Truth!! The Worm will turn.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
ATWS has rekindled a connection which I thought was completely gone. I was and am very bitter about my retirement and the treatment of my family. I am glad to be a member of ATWS, I think that it is a very worthwhile endeavor. I can see where it does in fact allow a lot of former Comrades in Arms to find long lost connections and relive some of the good memories. ATWS is an effort worth supporting! DB 11/22/2016
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