I was drafted into the United States Army October 20, 1969, reporting to Fort Polk, LA and basic training October 21, 1969. I then received orders for AIT training at Fort Sill, OK on self-propelled 155 Howitzers. After training, I was assigned to a NATO unit, 7th Army, A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 34th Field Artillery. I received more training on the M-109 self-propelled 155 Howitzer. The unit received orders to go on a mission to Germany for maneuvers with all equipment shipped to Stuttgart, Germany, then to convoy to the border of Czechoslovakia and the Iron Curtain as a show of strength to Russia. The unit then returned to Fort Lewis, WA. I then wrote a letter to then Congressman Glen Cunningham asking for his help in my getting orders to go to Vietnam in order to qualify for a school early out to attend college to complete my degree. I received a letter from Congressman Cunningham and several days later had orders to report to Fort Ord and Vietnam. I believe due to my training I was assigned to the 11th Armored Calvary Regiment just in time to go into Cambodia. It seems this regiment was sent as the spearhead to find and destroy the supply line (Ho chi Minh Trail) and the North Vietnamese (NVA) Battalion stronghold. As you know, North Vietnam agreed to return to peace talks if the USA stopped bombing North Vietnam and removed all troops that had invaded Cambodia. Leaving there, we went to the southwest of Tay Ninh and built Fire Base Bandit II near the Cambodia border. In February 1971, I was reassigned to the 23rd Infantry Division further north, based in Chu Li. While there I was promoted to Sergeant E-5 and received my first Army Commendation medal, the first of three. I had the privilege to meet briefly with then Colonel Colin Powell. Sgt. Heisler and I received travel authority by his office to take a prisoner to Saigon, Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City). I then returned to Service Battery 3, 18th Artillery where I served until returning to Fort Lewis, WA, August 1971 and honorably discharged.
