Page 151 - Stand Down Vietnam

So, that was my enlisted time. After spending a tour
in South Korea, Southeast Asia; the army assigned me to
a Combat Engineer Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington.
One thing led to another and before I knew it, I went
before a Warrant Officer Selection Board, and became a
Warrant Officer One: also known as a “Wobbly One”.

I was a Quartermaster, Logistics Officer, I served with

several different units, combat service support pretty
much my entire career. I retired in 1990 as a Chief
Warrant Officer Three.

I never fully understood why the United States was in
Vietnam. The year I entered the army, 1967; the war
was raging, it wasn't over until 1974. A seven-year
span; we’ll call that a third of my military career.

You’d think during that period; I'd better understand
it. You’d think my sergeants, lieutenants, and
commanders would explain it to us, but most of them
were just marking time.

Vietnam was there; no explanation and the guys coming
back from one, two or three tours didn’t want to talk
about it. They “stuffed” it.

I didn’t know then and still don't fully understand
what we were fighting for; I heard the political

speeches and understood what different persons were
saying. I did not believe them. I felt there was
always a different agenda not being told to the
American people.

From 1967 to 1971 it did not matter where I was or what
I was doing; everyone was always looking over their
shoulder, worried about when they were going to be
called for service in Vietnam.