When I began writing this story it was May 20, 1998, 28 years after I left Vietnam.  I was playing on the Internet and came on a website with material about the Vietnam War including several other sites with the personal stories of folks who had served in the military in Vietnam.  I read one thoroughly which was written by a guy who had served as an infantry officer in the First Division (the Big Red One).  Much of this guy’s story lived with my own experiences and it got me to reflecting about my experiences and stimulated me to write it up.
I believe my experience as an infantry platoon sergeant there was a defining moment of my life because it taught me what is important (i.e., God, family, friends, trust, integrity, and perseverance).  I have had some success in my life since I left the Army including earning a Ph.D. in Government from Florida State University in 1974.  I also served successfully on the faculties of three major state universities (University of Illinois-Chicago Circle, University of Oklahoma, and Texas A&M University), including being tenured and promoted to Associate Professor at Texas A&M University.  When I left academics I served as a leader in the largest state legislative program evaluation unit in the United States, and also served as a bureau chief in the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.   All of this pales in significance; however, compared to my service in Vietnam.  It was simply the most important thing I ever did.  I suppose I reached that conclusion because the stakes were so high there; people got killed; however, I also believe it is because it was real service to my country no matter that it was unpopular.  In addition, the fact that I served reasonably well makes me proud of myself.

I will try to tell my story as accurately and as honestly as I can; however, I am afraid my long term memory will fail me on some of the details and the proper sequence of events.