He went into the Marines at age 18 to get the GI Bill as he only had an 8th grade education with a masters at hard labor. He ended up serving in SVN in 1966 -67-68-70 and 1971. He was a 0311 infantry, better known as a grunt. His personal decorations include the Silver Star, Bronze Star w/v, 5 Purple Hearts, 3 Presidential Unit Citations, 6 Viet Nam Campaigns and numerous other awards. He served in every billet in a rifle platoon from private to platoon commander, which earned him a Combat Meritorious Promotion to Staff Sergeant. He now lives in Las Vegas NV with his wife.