After I retired in 1977, I attended ST. Clair County Community College and Majored in Electronic Technology. I completed my associate degree studies in 1 year and graduated cum laude. While attending school I helped teach some of the courses I was taking and also tutored several students.
In 1978, I was hired by Detroit Edison as a Startup Test Technician at Fermi II Nuclear Power Plant. I directed instrument repairmen in instrument calibration, repair and Startup systems testing. I also wrote initial procedures for calibrating instrument and control loops.
In 1983, as an Engineering Technician, I was the Instrument And Control Procedure Coordinator. I reviewed Surveillance Procedures, scheduled the rewriting of Procedures and implemented Procedures by performing Initial tests and calibrations of Instrument and Control Systems.
In 1987, as a Senior Engineering Technician, I worked in Plant Safety as an Operating Experience Coordinator. In that position I reviewed Nuclear Power Plant Operating Experience Reports (OER) to determine applicability to Fermi. If found to be applicable, any corrective actions that were found to be needed, were taken to avoid similar occurences at Fermi. I also input OER information into data bases and maintained files.
In 1993, I retired from Detroit Edison. I had, by then, had two silent heart attacks that caused major damage to my heart muscle. This left me with only one functioning artery and no possibility of correction with bypass surgery.
After retiring from DTE, I was hired by Target as a Building Specialist. I was in charge of all store maintenance. This included lighting, wiring, painting and repairing of all store equipment. I also wrote preventive maintenace procedures for items such as the Store Emergency Generator and Trash Compactor.
In 1998, I retired from Target and have remained retired.
Description This period was from January 22-July 7, 1968.
The air campaign in defense of Khe Sanh, an outpost held by the U.S. 26th Marine Regiment. began on January 22. 1968. For 2 and 1/2 months Allied tactical air forces continuously attacked targets surrounding the base and B-52s dropped bombs near Khe Sanh on an average of every 90 minutes. At night AC-47 gunships provided illumination and close air support. Air Force and Marine airlifters. mostly C-130s. frequently landed under fire at the Khe Sanh airstrip. bringing in supplies and reinforcements and flying out the wounded and refugees. When the transports could no longer land because of intense mortar and artillery fire. their crews used parachutes and arrester cables to extract cargo from the aircraft as they flew a few feet above the ground over the airstrip. Beginning on March 6 the Seventh Air Force provided fighter escorts to suppress enemy fire and lay down smoke screens until the C-130s dropped their cargoes. Gen. William C. Westmoreland, MACV Commander, encountered difficulties coordinating the air resources of the USAF and U.S. Marines to meet both the military demands at Khe Sanh and the requirements introduced by the Tet Offensive that the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong launched on January 30, 1968. On March 8 he appointed the Seventh Air Force Commander. Gen. William W. Momyer, as Deputy Commander for Air Operations. MACV. to manage all tactical air resources in South Vietnam.
Late in March 1968 the North Vietnamese surrounding Khe Sanhmwithdrew. leaving only a single NVA division to oppose the Allied advance. On April 1, the 1st Marine regiment and the Army's 1st Cavalry Division moved along Route 9. relieving Khe Sanh 5 days later. On April 10. for the first time in 48 days. no shells fell on the base.
A week later, on April 19. the Allies mounted a helicopter-bome attack against A Shau Valley on the Laotian border. 30 miles south- west of Hue. The Viet Cong and NVA had built a vast stores and logistical base in this area since 1966. Preliminary USAF and Allied air strikes. including B-52 bombings between April 8 and 13, 1968. failed to clear the enemy from landing zones. In spite of the heavy resistance. on April 24, the U.S. Army seized the A Luoi airstrip at the northwest end of the valley. USAF transports airdropped supplies. often during bad weather and without tactical air support, because intense ground fire prevented the landing of C-130s until May 4. The Viet Cong and North Vietnamese withdrew into Laos in mid-May, leaving behind large caches of weapons and supplies.
Earlier in the year. on January 30, the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese launched the Tet (Buddhist New Year) Offensive throughout South Vietnam in an effort to regain the political and military initiative that they had held 2 years previously. At Bien Hoa and Tan Son Nhut Air Bases. alert base defenders successfully repulsed initial attacks, but in the next 2 weeks the air bases came under frequent mortar and rocket attacks; in all, the USAF lost 14 aircraft on the ground and another 114 damaged. During the Tet Offensive. Seventh Air Force pilots provided close air support for Allied troops. and C-7s and C-130s hauled ammunition, supplies, and reinforcements to isolated areas. Within 2 or 3 days Allied forces cleared the Viet Cong troops from all cities except Saigon and Hue. By February 5, the Allies had driven the Viet Cong from Saigon, although a large force remained in the vicinity. North Vietnamese forces that had taken the old imperial city of Hue were more difficult to dislodge. The Seventh Air Force used close air support carefully to avoid indiscriminate and unwanted damage in Hue; AC-130 gunships that could deliver precise fire day or night provided the most effective support. On February 25, Allied forces succeeded in driving the enemy from the city. Although
the Allies successfully and rapidly countered the Tet Offensive. the Communists gained a significant propaganda victory. Many Ameri- cans believed that a failure of U.S. military policy had permitted the Communists to mount so extensive a battle throughout South Vietnam.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
January / 1968
To Month/Year
July / 1968
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
Memories My unit, the 38th Troop Carrier Squadron, was on TDY to Nha Trang Vietnam for 6 months in 1968. Our C-130 aircraft provided personnel and cargo transportaion within Vietnam
100% Retired
