Page 37 - The History of Veterans at Highland Springs

WILEY W. BERRY
HIGHLAND SPRINGS RESIDENT, ARMY
In May 1968, after graduating from Eastern New Mexico University with a BBA in Accounting and Finance, I started my career as an entry level accountant with Shell Oil Company (Midland, TX). In September 1968, my career was abruptly interrupted when I was drafted into the U.S Army.
I received “basic training” at Fort Bliss TX, “radio operator training” at Fort Huachuca AZ, “radio teletype training” at Fort Gordon GA and achieved the rank of Specialist-4. After completing my training in April 1969, I received orders for South Vietnam. I served with the 1st Infantry Division, 121st Signal Battalion in Lai Khe from May 1969 thru April 1970.
Lai Khe was nicknamed “Rocket City”. We were frequently under enemy rocket and mortar attacks. Also, because our base camp was in a rubber tree plantation, we were subjected to “airbursts” (rockets/mortars exploding in the tops of trees before they hit the ground). While the efforts of the 2nd Battalion, 33rd Artillery, “Golden Lions” (our adjacent neighbors) to suppress rocket/mortar attacks were very much appreciated, we were also subjected to “short rounds”, prematurely exploding shells shortly after leaving the barrels of our own 105mm howitzers.
I performed many jobs while serving in Vietnam: base camp perimeter security duty, establishing communications for division forward command posts in remote field locations, and worked radio and radio teletype machines relaying target coordinates for artillery and air strikes. Since the “Top Sergeant” knew I was an accountant, I got to use my accounting skills when he assigned me to ensure “the enlisted men’s club” (a 20’x40’ plywood building) and “the officer’s club” (an eight-man tent) both met all “Open Mess” regulations prior to an upcoming IG inspection scheduled for October/November 1969. By the end of November, we learned we had passed inspection and I was back to my Signal duties. Then in December 1969, I was promoted to “Buck Sergeant” and assigned to lead a mobile perimeter defense team during “Tet” of 1970. After “Tet” the 121st Signal Battalion began the process of redeployment back to the U.S. (Vietnamization), and I left Vietnam in April 1970. After leaving Vietnam, I was assigned to 2Nd MI – 527th Military Intelligence in Kaiserslautern, Germany as NCOIC of their Com-Center until I was discharged from the Army in September 1970. I returned to Shell in October 1970, married my wife Janice in February 1971, and retired from Shell after 31 years of service.
My military recognition included the following: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with one oak leaf), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Expert Badge M-16, Sharpshooter M-14, 2 Overseas Bars and a Certificate of Achievement from US Army Europe & Seventh Army Headquarters, 66th Military Intelligence Group.
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