Medals
Received: Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star with Valor device,
Prisoner of War and various other service medals and awards
Military
Job: Infantry 1st Sergeant
Company:
Career Army
Occupation
after War: Retired
Bio:
Being a native of Missouri, I was inducted into the Army on October 1,
1952 at Kansas City, Missouri.
After completion of Infantry Basic Training, I was ordered to Korea
where I was assigned to a rifle company of the 45th Infantry Division.
While a member of this unit and engaging enemy forces, our positions
were overrun and as a result I became a prisoner of the Chinese/Korean
forces and held in various camps in North Korea until the war ended. I
was then repatriated and hospitalized at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in
Denver, Colorado. Upon my release I was returned to active duty. I
continued my Army career of more than 22 years without a break in
service, retiring as 1st Sgt.
During my active military career, my assignments were extensive in the
area of administrative and personnel management such as operations,
training, supply, logistics, instructor of ROTC and regular Army
personnel. I served two tours in Vietnam as a Quartermaster Battalion
Maintenance Sgt.
I have been awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star with Valor
device, Prisoner of War medal and various other military decorations and
awards.
I am a member of the Washington State Veterans Legislative Coalition, a
Life Member of the Ex-POW National Organization and member of the Tacoma
Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War.
I was elected and served two consecutive years as Chapter Commander of
the Tacoma Chapter of Ex-POW’s. I am now serving a two-year term as
Washington State Jr. Vice Commander, as well as serving a two-year term
as Northwest National Director of the American Ex-Prisoners of War.
My wife, Bonnie, and I live in University Place, Washington near our
four married children, Dixie, Kenneth, Roxie and James and their
families.
