[White Oak]

Frank William Skokan AKA XGRUNT joined the Army Jan 9,1970 in Atlanta,GA.Did 8 weeks of basic training and 8 weeks of Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Polk,LA. High scores got him into the Infantry Leaders Course(12 weeks) at Fort Benning,GA.Arriving in Republic of South Vietnam March 25,1971,Infantry,Buck Sgt E-5 or "Shake and Bake".Assigned to 3/506th 101st AIRBORNE DIVISION.Voluteered to go to Recon Platoon and was accepted even with no field experiece,3/506th needed NCO's.Franks job required him and 5 more members to be inserted by chopper into the jungle and then stay hidden for 15 to 20 days.Their job is to report, be the eyes and ears for the 506th.A job that kept you tired,on edge and stresed at all times.A very dangerous job.In the fall of 1971 he was on Firebase Rifle when the NVA tried to take it.Many of his patrols were ambush actions.He was reassigned to Recon 1/501 101st in May 1971.His job there was the same,6 man patrols,20 days of bush. He left Vietnam Jan 30,1972 and was Honorably Discharged Jan 31,1972.Was awarded and his most prized possession the Combat Infantry Badge,The Bronze Star Metal,Air Metal,Vietnam Service Metal,National Defense Service Metal.Frank was very proud of his service to his country