In 1967 I was living at home, 19 years old, not minding my own business, going to YVC, when out of the blue, I got drafted into the U.S. Army. I had flunked out of YVC which ended my draft deferment. I had been going to college during the day and working nights at a can manufacturing company. In retrospect it was the best thing that could happen to me, but my timing was not optimal. The Vietnam War was driving the draft machine, and young men were being ground up. I was shipped to Fout Lewis for basic training, followed by Advance Infantry Training at Fort Polk in Louisiana. Then I got orders.
Company A, 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, 8th Army, Camp Casey, South Korea. Pro Patria
