I was 17 years old when I was drafted on December 4, 1959.  I took my first eight weeks training and second eight weeks training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.  Then, I was assigned to A Co. 82nd Engineers as a 5-ton dump truck driver.

  In October 1961 the 82nd Engineers was put on alert to go to Germany during the Berlin Crisis.  All the drivers flew to France and then were convoyed to La Rachelle, France, and Bayreuth, Germany.  After a few months I went back home and decided to stay in the service. 

  I was stationed at Fort Ord, Calif., and then I was sent back to Germany where I served in several different outfits, but never again in the Engineers.  In 1966 I was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, from there I was sent to Vietnam in the Dong HA South area until September 1967. 

  I spent eight and a half years in Germany the rest of my time in the service was spent in the states.  After 22 and a half years in the military I retired as a Sergeant First Class.  After the service I drove a truck and retired from the Teamsters.  I was also a deputy sheriff for a few years.

  I have five children, three girls and two boys, and 23 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.