I have been married to my patient wife Sherrie for 38 years and have five children, 11 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
I enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 18. My military career spanned 20 years during which I served my country until my retirement in March of 1989. I turned 19 soon after arriving in Vietnam where I found myself fighting with the Americal (23rd) Infantry Division. Before retiring, I served as a drill instructor, a first sergeant, and finally as an instructor for the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA).
During my 20 year service in the Army, I was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, French Commando Badge, Drill Instructor Badge and Army Recruiting Badge.
After retirement from the Army, I completed an AAS degree in Management, a BS degree in Computer Information Systems, and an MA degree in Computer Resources and Information Systems. I worked as a software engineer/project manager for eight years and then taught at Park University as a full-time instructor, and as an adjunct instructor for thirteen years. I was an adjunct instructor for the Graduate program at Saint Edwards University for one year.
Today, I enjoy staying home writing about my military experiences and of the brotherhood I'd experienced in Vietnam.
I am the author of:
When I Turned Nineteen: A Vietnam War Memoir
Soldiering After the Vietnam War: Changed Soldiers in a Changed Country
Finding My Platoon Brothers: Vietnam Then and Now
Promises To The Fallen: A Vietnam War Novel (Book 1)
Return To The Madness: A Vietnam War Novel (Book 2)
Revenge Is Coming: After the Vietnam War Novel (Book 3)
The Tunnel: Vietnam War Novella Book 1
The Ville: Vietnam War Novella Book 2
The Ambush: Vietnam War Novella Book 3
The Firebase: Vietnam War Novella Book 4
Second Tour: Vietnam War Novella Book 5
Search and Destroy: Vietnam War Novella Book 6
Search and Rescue: Vietnam War Novella Book 7
Escape and Evade: Vietnam War Novella Book 8
The Fire: Vietnam War Novella Book 9
After the Inferno: Vietnam War Novella Book 10
First Days: Andy Carter's Vietnam War Prequel Book 11
I enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 18. My military career spanned 20 years during which I served my country until my retirement in March of 1989. I turned 19 soon after arriving in Vietnam where I found myself fighting with the Americal (23rd) Infantry Division. Before retiring, I served as a drill instructor, a first sergeant, and finally as an instructor for the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA).
During my 20 year service in the Army, I was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, French Commando Badge, Drill Instructor Badge and Army Recruiting Badge.
After retirement from the Army, I completed an AAS degree in Management, a BS degree in Computer Information Systems, and an MA degree in Computer Resources and Information Systems. I worked as a software engineer/project manager for eight years and then taught at Park University as a full-time instructor, and as an adjunct instructor for thirteen years. I was an adjunct instructor for the Graduate program at Saint Edwards University for one year.
Today, I enjoy staying home writing about my military experiences and of the brotherhood I'd experienced in Vietnam.
I am the author of:
When I Turned Nineteen: A Vietnam War Memoir
Soldiering After the Vietnam War: Changed Soldiers in a Changed Country
Finding My Platoon Brothers: Vietnam Then and Now
Promises To The Fallen: A Vietnam War Novel (Book 1)
Return To The Madness: A Vietnam War Novel (Book 2)
Revenge Is Coming: After the Vietnam War Novel (Book 3)
The Tunnel: Vietnam War Novella Book 1
The Ville: Vietnam War Novella Book 2
The Ambush: Vietnam War Novella Book 3
The Firebase: Vietnam War Novella Book 4
Second Tour: Vietnam War Novella Book 5
Search and Destroy: Vietnam War Novella Book 6
Search and Rescue: Vietnam War Novella Book 7
Escape and Evade: Vietnam War Novella Book 8
The Fire: Vietnam War Novella Book 9
After the Inferno: Vietnam War Novella Book 10
First Days: Andy Carter's Vietnam War Prequel Book 11
I found it ironic that three of my sons served in the Army and in combat zones. At one time, all three were in combat zones simultaneously. My oldest son, David, was in Iraq several times serving in a support position, my next to the youngest, Nathan, served with the 82nd Airborne as an infantry soldier with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and my youngest son, Bryan, served with the Rangers as an infantry soldier with a tour in Afghanistan.
Sherrie and I were proud that they served but stressed when they went to war. I would not watch or listen to the news until they came home. Now I know how my mother and father must have felt when Wayne (my older brother) and I went to Vietnam together. The family tradition continued.
When our last son came home, April 2004, we met up at my mother’s house in Waverly Hall, Georgia for a three day get together. The boys wanted me to wear my uniform for a group photograph. My uniform still fit 15 years later! I took this opportunity to pin my dad’s Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) on Nathan and my CIB on Bryan.
Sherrie and I were proud that they served but stressed when they went to war. I would not watch or listen to the news until they came home. Now I know how my mother and father must have felt when Wayne (my older brother) and I went to Vietnam together. The family tradition continued.
When our last son came home, April 2004, we met up at my mother’s house in Waverly Hall, Georgia for a three day get together. The boys wanted me to wear my uniform for a group photograph. My uniform still fit 15 years later! I took this opportunity to pin my dad’s Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) on Nathan and my CIB on Bryan.
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From Left to Right: Glyn, David, Nathan and Bryan From Left to Right: David, Nathan and Bryan
From July 14 through July 17, 2016, in Dallas, Texas, Mike Dankert and I hosted a reunion for the platoon members that we were able to locate. It took a great deal of time and coordination, but we managed to have thirteen platoon members attend. Thirty-one people, including platoon members, spouses, a sister of a platoon member that was killed, four children, and two grandchildren were present at the reunion. It was unbelievable to see my platoon brothers sit together and talk as if the past 47 years did not exist.
Below is the 15-minute video that Mike and I made for the First Platoon Reunion. I recommend you do not watch the video until you have read When I Turned Nineteen: A Vietnam War Memoir.
Below is the 15-minute video that Mike and I made for the First Platoon Reunion. I recommend you do not watch the video until you have read When I Turned Nineteen: A Vietnam War Memoir.
Turn your speaker on and volume up.
