I served two tours of combat duty as a commissioned officer in Vietnam.  My first tour lasted only five months because I was wounded in a firefight.  Vice President Hubert Humphrey awarded me a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for my actions in that firefight.

After recovering, I volunteered for a second tour of combat duty in Vietnam, which lasted from September 1968 to September 1969.  At the time, my rank was Captain.

I had three different positions during the tour.  The pictures are organized by each position that I held.

My first position was S-3 (Air) of the First Brigade, Fourth Infantry Division, which caused me to be stationed at Dak Pek Special Forces Camp for part of that time.  I was one of 14 American soldiers among about 5,000 Montagnards (indigenous mountain people) at the camp.

My next position was Rifle Company Commander.  I  had the tactical and logistical command of about 120 men in daily combat.  At the age of 23, I was one of the youngest Rifle Company Commanders of the Vietnam War. 

My last position was a cake walk.  I was off the front lines away from hostile fire, had a beautiful Vietnamese secretary and a personal Jeep driver.  Life was as good as it gets in a combat zone.  I had the opportunity to read many good books and do some sight-seeing.

I hope you enjoy these vintage photographs.