53 years ago this month I was researching my options for military service. By the 29th of March 1968, I had voluntarily enlisted in the US Army. In exchange for this commitment, the Army gave me a guarantee of Rotary Wing Flight School, as a Warrant Officer Candidate. I finished basic at Ft Polk, LA, completed Primary Flight Training at Ft Wolters, TX and then graduated from the US Army Aviation Center, FT Rucker, AL in June 1969. I arrived in Vietnam the first week of August 1969, and was assigned to Company A. 158 AVN (Ghost Riders), 101st Airborne Division, Camp Evans, Northern I Corp. It was a hell of a year, acquired a lot of new brothers, tragically lost a few, risked my life nearly every day, and grew into a mature adult in the process. Reported to Germany in September 1970 and was assigned to the flight detachment of a Pershing Missile Battalion in Southern West Germany. A VERY educational assignment, that included great responsibilities. REFRAD in June 1971, and entered the US Army reserves, where I remained until retirement in 2008, with 40 years and 2 months of total service.
Much respect to ALL who have served. YOU are America.
