Joe Michalski

    Joe Michalski
   Location: Michigan
   585th from:1966-67
   Job in 585th: Truck Driver
   Hobby:


I was at Ft Lewis Wa where the Company was formed, and sailed on Sept 27 1966 on the USS Weigle. We stopped once, then arrived at Cam Rahn Bay Vietnam. The Company stayed there for about 4 months. Part of the Company was sent to Phan Rang for a month during this time. We started Convoying to PhanRang, Nha Trang, Tuy Hoa, and some places I can not remember. A few of us were sent TDY to Tuy Hoa and we did only night driving from the harbor, and it was scarey. Our Company moved to north to Quinhon, and then some were sent to Phu Bai. This is when we begain to do some serious driving. We went to Bongsoon, Chulia, Anke, Pleiku, and some other places in support of the 4th Inf Div. Spent most of the time driving in the Central Highlands. Some places I had no idea where the hell we were. We were allowed 4-5 hours of sleep, then back on the road again.

I took part in the moving of the 101st Airborne to places I do not remember, probable because I was scared to death. I remember we had a lot of bad time, but also some good times. I remember hauling beer outside of Nha Trang, and had to stop because the road was shot up. We ended up going back, and crawling in the trailers and drinking beer all night.

My last 2 or 3 months I almost lost it, thinking I would never get out of Nam. I felt like a zombie, seeing other guys and thought my turn would never come. I left Nam on Oct 17th, 67 and got a early out.

I went back to work at Eaton Corp, a car parts supplier as a Millwright, and Retited last year. I now work part time as a Handy Man, something to do and some pocket money.

I Married in 1970 to the love of my life, and still married. We had 3 kids, 2 girls and a boy. They all turned out to be pretty good kids.

I am trying to and have hooked up with guys likeTom Lapham, Frank Lanza, Frank Burnett, Chuck Krabble,Jim Spero, Snyder, Robert Counts, Ernie Pietula, and many more. Life is too short....

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