Remembering Them Forever (RTF)!

Military Information:

• AM: Air Medal
• Rank E5
• SGT: Sergeant
• ACM: Army Commendation Medal
• TVHOF Patriot Award
• Combat Action/Infantry Badge (CIB)
• 1-Alpha List
• National/American Defense Service Medal/Award
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
• TVHOF Class of 2025

Dates of Service 1:

Service Start Date: NA Service End Date: NA

Dates of Service 2:

Service Start Date: NA Service End Date: NA

Bio:

I grew up in Columbia, Missouri in a stable conservative family. I was the youngest with an older brother,89, and a sister now deceased. Graduated high school in 1966 and college in 1970. My senior year the draft lottery was established and my birthdate drew #8.

So away I went after graduating in 1970, off to Ft. Leonard Wood for basic training . Then sent to Fort Ord Army base in California.
Force On Target Advanced Infantry Training in MOS 11B, Light Weapons Infantry.

Upon graduation sent to Republic of Vietnam landing in Bien Hoa, Tan Son Nhut Air Base. A fella in a black baseball hat with a Cav patch on it called my name. So, off to the first team academy where we learned how to rappel, pathfinder (Heli Ground Center) rescue, recon, etc.

I was then assigned to a troop 1/9 Blue Platoon. This unit was airmobile unit that flew the Hunter Killer Teams with the scoots flying the LOH ( Loach) OH-6’s at the treetop with the Cobra’s flying cover @ 1200’ to 1500’.

One of the Blues function was to provide a more “Detailed Recon or Clean Up” from the ground to rescue when birds got knocked down. We also worked directly with LRRP’S (LURP’s) Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols. They traveled in very light 6 man teams. Usually, 75th Rangers out of Phuc Vinh Base Camp for
1st Cav Division.

When they made contact with bad guys they would call us in. I didn’t know it at the time but we weren’t normal GRUNTS We were Q.R.F (Quick Reaction Force)
Therefore in and out of “Stuff” in a HEARTBEAT!

A 1/9 Cav moved in to Phuc Vinh Base Camp for a short period. Then we were in Tay Ninh where we continued working in rescue and recon until the Cav stood down and rotated out of Republic of Vietnam to Fort Hood.

However, I remained in Vietnam and was assigned to the 13th combat aviation ground in Can Tho. When processing through personnel they recognized B.A. Degree Grunt and assigned me a desk. Quite a change , but slowly I became “Housebroken again.” More detailed recollections of specific missions takes a sit down with a beverage or two.

Upon DROS and ETS I came home looking for employment to become involved with communication service industry. Transferred to Texas where I changed profession abetting involved with property management that evolved into landscaping and nursery.

Then I picked my childhood passion of flat track racing and being active with various veteran organizations.