Rank: Major (Ret)
Branches: Infantry, Aviation
Retirement Date: September 30, 1978
Number of Years of Service: 20
Deceased: September 14, 2009
City and State: Miller, South Dakota
Interred: G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller, South Dakota
Wife’s Name: Beryle C. Sessions; Number of Children of his own: 3; Step Children: 4; Grandchildren 19.
Awards: Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Bronze Star; Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Silver Star; Overseas Service Ribbon x 4; Meritorious Service Medal; Air Medal with V Device with 3 OLC; Army Commendation Medal with 2 OLC; Army Good Conduct Medal 2nd Award, National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Bronze Star Medal with 1 OLC; Distinguished Flying Cross.
Military Schools: USAIS – Infantry Officer Basic; USAIS – Airborne, USASWS – Psychological Operations Officer Course; USAPHC/S – ORWAC, USAAVNS – AH-1G, USAIS – Infantry Officer Advance Course.
Summary of Assignments: July 1965 Officers Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia graduated 1966, then airborne training and special weapons school. Went to Louisiana for 4 months, then to North Carolina for special warfare school and was in Vietnam on 3 October, 1966. Returned from Vietnam on 2, December 1967 and was assigned to Fort Lewis Washington for 1 year as a commander of a company for new inductees in the Army. 1969, went to flight school for helicopters in Texas and Savannah, Georgia. 3 January 1970 was back in Vietnam and flew 950 hours in Combat Missions. 1971, school in Georgia and then November 1971 to Baumholder, Germany and remained there till July 1976. Assigned to Waterloo, Iowa as an Army Advisor to 12 units of the National Guard.
Jobs/Profession following military: Traveling Salesman for 12 years, Maintenance & Sanitary Technician for South Dakota State University and St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church.
Current hobbies/interests: Keeps watch over his family and friends from a distance.