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!!

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.

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TO 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!

FROM YOUR ENTIRE SERVICE, INCLUDING COMBAT, DESCRIBE THE PERSONAL MEMORIES WHICH HAVE IMPACTED YOU MOST?
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!

WHAT ACHIEVEMENT(S) ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER? IF YOU RECEIVED ANY MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS OR QUALIFICATION BADGES FOR SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT OR VALOR, PLEASE DESCRIBE HOW THESE WERE EARNED.
I received the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR ANY OTHER MEMORABILIA, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH ARE THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
The Combat Infantry Badge, the one award that says it all. Combat Soldier.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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