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Brief Bio: dob, service, occupation now, family
Waltham, Massachusetts Feb.24,1947 Jan., 1965-Jan., 1968 Builder/cabinetmaker (Disabled)
Me and Kati and her mom, Stephani.
Why did you decide to join the Armed services?
Well, I was a 17 year old high school drop-out with a questionable, at best,
outlook on the future. I desperately needed direction and wanted to learn how
to run heavy equipment. The U.S.Army provided that.Besides, pulling your stint
in the military was the right thing to do in the cultural atmosphere that I
was raised in. My dad and all my uncles fought in WWII, and so on back through
the preceding generations. I was proud to become a soldier.
Where were you assigned during your tour?
We were a brand-spanking-new Engr.Battalion, reactivated at Ft.Stewart, Ga.
After a short time we were loaded onto a Merchant troop ship in Oakland for
an all expenses paid Pacific cruise to "Somewhere in Southeast Asia."
Dah! We had been issued M-16s. Go figure. The boat stopped up north and the
199th Light Inf. (Ihink it was) disembarked in full combat gear via landing
craft. There was also a signal outfit aboard that got off further down the coast
at a pier. For sure that`s how we`ll do it..we`re engineers. Nope. Expecting
a Normandy type beach assault, we were met by local girls and caiu-boys selling
anything your heart desired. Wierd! After a deuce-and-a-half and C-130 ride
we ended up at Bien Hoa, where no one seemed to expect us so we set up camp
out on the green line outside the perimerter. It was a total and complete SNAFU.
We were assigned to the 20th Engr.Bde.
What was your first assignment?
Perimeter guard that very night.
Where did you go next?
Delta Co.was sent up to Phu Loi. I think we were attached to the Big Red One...or
mabe the 118th AHC. I don`t know for sure. Never really figured it out.
Have any interesting highlights to share?
Bugs and other things that crawled around that could put a hurt on a guy.
What were your most memorable experiences in the military?
Tough question. Getting aboard the Freedom Bird had to rank right up there.
I was fortunate to spend some time in Europe before Vietnam, and have some very
dear memories of Amsterdam. Love that town!
How did you feel about going into combat?
As engineers we didn`t exactly "go into combat". Never went looking
for it,but all to often it would find us if Victor Charles happened to disagree
with with our current mission. He`d leave us be if we were, say, repairing a
bridge that he needed to use that night. He never really cared much for our
brush clearing though, so he`d disrupt that when he could.
What was your homecoming like?
Chivas Regal and Filet Mignon! After a while,however, the "WORLD"
didn`t live up to the expedtations I had imagined and I became very confused
regarding my place in it. KEITH! HELP!!! I tried out a miriad of life styles
before I ever finally settled in.
What do you consider your greatest achievements?
Judging from the question below, I assume you mean in the military. Well..I
got promoted more than most guys did. Oh..that was cause I got busted so often.
One time a full col.was observing from his lofty perch and reportedly said,
"That man must be running that Cat in high gear. Look at that son-of-a-*****
go! Give that man a promotion and an ACM." Never got either.
What are some of the highlights of your life since the war?
Now, I`ve built some pretty spiffy homes over the years, and done alot of really
cool stuff, but my daughter, Kati is THE highlite of my life.
Are you active in veterans' organizations?
Life member of DAV. Also belong to VVA and VFW,but am not active.
Do you keep in contact with your military comrades?
Not really, but I have spoken with a couple of guys from my outfit via the WWW.
What can be done to improve public awareness of foreign policy and military
and veterans' affairs?
Donating time and money to the National Service Orgs has to help our voice be
heard, as they all have very strong lobbies. Also, wonderful websites like this
one that tell the real stories and preserve historical data for present day
and future Patriots. Thank you,Patriotfiles!
Are there any messages you would like to communicate to your fellow veterans?
It is indeed a great honor for me to be voted VOM,as it is an honor to merely
be counted among a group of heros and patriots like yourselves.There are no
words to say how very much your calls and cards and well-wishes on the site
have meant to me during this time of uncertainty.Thank you,Brothers and Sisters,and
may God Bless You.
Thank you for your service to our country and your time in this interview.
Griz