My dad was career Navy. My mom (all 90 pounds of her) tested .50 cal machine guns at Dalghren during WWII. Growing up, about every man I knew had been in that war. I had no doubt my time would come, and there I'd be on line with John Wayne and Montgomery Clift.

Army ROTC, distinguished military graduate commissioned 2LT (Regular Army) June 68. Fort Knox for training, then a tour with 4th Armor in Germany. Tank platoon leader, recon platoon leader, company XO, battalion S-2. Intel training at Ft Holabird, then off to Nam -- IV Corps, smack dab in the middle of the Delta. Arrived as 1LT, made CPT a few weeks later. District Advisor in the so-called "Phoenix Program." I was senior officer on a 4-man team, working and often living with the Vietnamese. Short side trips to U Minh and Cambodia. Served full 365 days, 26 May 70 - 25 May 71. Bronze Star, PH (minor wound), assorted other gongs.

Stayed in the Army a few more years, tours in Panama, Arizona, Pentagon. Got out to take a civilian job at the Pentagon. Now at Bolling AFB in DC. Still fighting evil. Part of my job involves declassifying the old intelligence from the Vietnam War. Married a Vietnamese lady I met over here. Four kids, all grown; one did a hitch in the Marines.