The first time I repeated the names of the 13 killed was early morning of August 16, 1969. A squad member woke me because I was reciting the names out loud in my sleep and he feared it might attract the enemy. The death of the 13 followed me the rest of my life. I wasn’t haunted by them and didn’t avoid their presence. I wanted them with me. I wanted to honor them and keep their memory alive. It wasn’t a burden, but my duty and honor that I freely accepted. With this responsibility, I didn’t forget my time in Vietnam either. Reading my first book When I Turned Nineteen: A Vietnam War Memoir you will have a better understanding of me, the young 19-year-old that returns home from an unpopular war and the influences, challenges, and decisions…show more content… Army Sergeants Major Academy. My story isn’t about war, but of service to the country, and the consequences of that service for soldiers and their families. There are no claims that I had an extraordinary career, but my career did coincide with extraordinary times within the Army, and I met extraordinary soldiers, NCOs, and officers along the way.
I always said, “The Army was good to me. But I was good to the Army.” I met and served with many outstanding soldiers, NCOs, and officers during my 20 years of service. Most were good soldiers and performed well in their job. They exhibited outstanding leadership traits that molded many young soldiers, including me, into performing beyond their dreams. These young soldiers became better leaders in the Army or in the job they worked outside the military.
During my years of service after Vietnam, I never had the brotherhood as I did with my platoon in Vietnam. I missed the brotherhood. First Platoon was my family during my year in Vietnam and every day after I returned. We of First Platoon are brothers and have a bond that cannot be
