In 1967 I was living at home, 19 years old, not minding my own business, going to YVC, working nights, when out of the blue I got drafted. That may have had something to do with flunking out of YVC which ended my draft deferment.
In retrospect it was the best thing that could have happened to me, but my timing was not optimal. The Vietnam War was driving the draft machine (228,263 in 1967) and grinding men up. First stop was eight weeks of Basic Training at Fort Lewis.
I'm circled in the middle row of this photo of my company. Mom came to graduation, and I failed to recognize the impact this had on her, knowing the likely path for me was to Vietnam.
Known as "Tigerland," this infantry training center was the gateway to Vietnam. Arriving in Louisiana in the summer of 1967 was another example of sub-optimal timing. I should have stayed in college.
After AIT I was selected to attend the Non-Commissioned Officer Candidate Course in Fort Benning, Georgia. It was a was an intensive leadership academy for soldiers selected to become Sergeants, trained by airborne Rangers.
The NCO Candidate Course consisted of combat weapons, field navigation, survival skills and leadership. This class photo was taken toward the end of our training.
The U.S. Navy ship USS Pueblo was captured by the North Korean Navy in what became known as the "Pueblo Incident". The ship and 83 crew members were taken captive in international waters.
I came home for a few days before my next assignment to Fort Lewis. Mom took this photo at our home. I believe at this point I still had orders for Vietnam.
As part of the NCO Academy, new Sergeants were assigned to an AIT training cadre under the supervision of a Drill Sergeant. I was sent to Fort Lewis. It may have been during this time my orders were changed from Vietnam to South Korea.
The change of orders from the Army was driven by the capture of the USS Pueblo, followed by troop deployment to South Korea. I was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.
A demilitarized zone (DMZ) separates the two Koreas along the 38th parallel, two kilometers wide, from the Sea of Japan to the Yellow Sea.
The Pueblo sailors were released by North Korea at Panmunjom on the bridge that separates the two Koreas. My unit was deployed around the southern perimeter of the village.
My two year tour of duty was ended and the Army released me at Fort Lewis.