To confirm and validate my experience as an Army Officer, after OCS at Fort Benning, I became an infantry platoon leader, airborne qualified, with special training in the Army’s Jungle School in the Panama Canal Zone at Fort Sherman. During seven months of field combat, I was awarded three Bronze Stars, including two for Valor and one for service excellence. I also was awarded an Army Commendation Medal for Valor. Promoted to Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commandant for the 2nd Battalion/1st Infantry of the 196th LIB, I was stationed at Hawk Hill, northwest of Chu Lai, earning another Army Commendation medal for service. Other awards included the Air Medal for 27 Combat Assaults by Helicopter, the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), the Vietnam Ribbon, and the Purple Heart.

SCROLL DOWN TO READ MY TRUE ACCOUNTS OF SMALL UNIT COMBAT IN VIETNAM

John Shoemaker 7/27/23 John Shoemaker 7/27/23

War Story 14: What is that smell?

In 2020, I reflected on the Pandemic/COVID War and the contagion that was killing millions. I then recounted my time in another war that was in the killing fields of Vietnam.

John Shoemaker 7/1/23 John Shoemaker 7/1/23

War Story 13 No Day at the Beach

Daydreaming on a drive to Cape Cod, it took me back in time to our battle on the beaches of the South China Sea in Vietnam.

John Shoemaker 6/7/23 John Shoemaker 6/7/23

War Story 12: Coming Home From War

A tour of duty in Vietnam lasted 12 months. They would be defining moments in any man or woman’s life. Some would not make it out alive. This is s story of the last days before coming home.

John Shoemaker 6/7/23 John Shoemaker 6/7/23

War Story 11: The Deadliest Sniper

With 103 confirmed kills and 216 probables in Vietnam, Chuck Mawhinney was 'just doing my job' as the deadliest sniper in Marine Corps history. (Picture Courtesy of Chuck Mawhinney)

John Shoemaker 5/31/23 John Shoemaker 5/31/23

War Story 10: The Lord Was My Shepherd in Vietnam

The Lord was my Shepherd with me on the Ho Chi Minh Trail with my platoon in the summer of 1970. I was the 1LT 3rd Platoon Leader with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry, of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade in the Americal Division headquartered in Chu Lai, I Corps.

John Shoemaker 5/17/23 John Shoemaker 5/17/23

War Story 9: At the Point of the Spear

What it was like for a platoon of soldiers in Vietnam on patrol in the rice paddies and villages surrounded by guerrillas trying to kill you.

John Shoemaker 3/6/23 John Shoemaker 3/6/23

War Story 8: War, Pain, Family & Closure

War is unforgiving. No matter what side a soldier is on when he or she loses the battle, the family continues to feel the loss for the rest of their lives. This is the story of one family that finally got closure after 50 years.