The Journey Begins 

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Basic Training - Fort Polk, Lousiana
Flight Training - Fort Wolters, Texas

After receiving my draft notice, I enlisted in the Army's Warrant Officer Flight program in October of 1969. I completed Basic Training at Fort Polk.

I moved on to the Army's Primary Helicopter Training Program. I completed the pre-flight program and began training in the TH-55 Osage. I logged more than 70 hours of flight time before leaving the program due to experiencing issues with vertigo during night flight exercises.

Artillery School - Fort Sill, Oklahoma

I was sent to Ft. Sill to complete 7-weeks of Advanced Individual Training as a Field Artillery Crewmember (MOS 13B). Training included howitzer operation, ammunition identification and preparation, map reading, and tactical fire data control. After completion, I received orders for Vietnam.

Fire Support Base Ky Son, Vietnam

I flew into Cam Rahn Bay AFB and was assigned to B Battery of the 7/13th Artillery located on a fire base west of Tuy Hoa. This was a semi-permanent gun emplacement featuring six 105MM howitzers. Shortly after my arrival the unit was deactivated and I was re-assigned to the 4/60th Artillery (Dusters) headquartered at LZ Uplift north of Bong Son.

Fire Support Base Salem, Vietnam

I was assigned to C Battery 4/60th Artillery (Dusters) which provided perimeter defense for fire support bases of the 3/319th Artillery, 173rd Airborne Brigade. I became a crew member on a M42A1 armored light air-defense gun track, equipped with two fully automatic 40mm cannons capable of firing a combined 240 rounds per minute.

Continue on my journey to FSB Salem.