Vietnam Veteran
Walt enlisted in the US Army in December 1965 after a year of
college as a physics major. He anticipated a tour in Vietnam and wanted the best
training available. He walked into the Army recruiter's office and asked for
Special Forces. The recruiter said "Son, I can only guarantee you Airborne
Infantry, unassigned... you'll have to pass the tests." Walt took the
induction exams and based on his scores was courted by representatives from the
Officer's Candidate School and the Army Security Agency. He turned them down and
told them, "I want to be Airborne!" Walt completed Basic Training at
Fort Bliss, Texas, Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Gordon, Georgia and
Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. The Special Forces recruiter paid the
graduating class a visit, called out the qualifying candidates for Special
Forces Training and failed to mention Walt. Turned out that Walt was only 19 1/2
years old and the requirement at the time (soon changed) was 20. So off to South East Asia
he went as a replacement for Weapons Platoon, C Company, 2nd/502nd Infantry, 1st
Brigade, 101st Airborne Division.
Walt served 24 months in Vietnam.
He kept his head down while spending
nine months as a "bonnie rat" and spent time in Tuy Hoa, Phan Rang,
Song Mao, Phan Thiet, Kontum, Chu Lai, and Phu Bai and earned his "Combat
Infantryman's Badge". The photo to the left was taken by a fellow
"grunt". Even though Walt and his platoon had been walking in a stream for 3
days in hostile territory, he displays his trademark smile! Walt extended his
Vietnam tour to join HHC Co. (Brigade Aviation) as an OJT (on-the-job training)
mechanic on a helicopter but was assigned as a supply man. With no training or
experience in supply, he read all the manuals and quickly brought the supply
room (tent) up to standards and learned to "scrounge" the needed parts to help
keep the birds flying! He also flew as
a door gunner and "Huey" crew chief and received the Army's coveted Air Medal
with two clusters. Click here for a poem written by Ward
Welch in honor for veterans.
Flying, even in hostile territory, became Walt's dream & goal.
He took the helicopter/warrant officer's screening exam three times and each
time was told that his paperwork was lost. Walt came home to California in September 1968 and
began his civilian flight training. After qualifying as a private pilot, he used his GI
Bill education benefits to acquire his commercial and instrument ratings. His goal was to become a
commercial airline pilot but lacked the flight
hours to compete with the military pilots now coming home.
Walt went to work for Garfield Pharmacy in Beverly Hills, later transferring
to the Hollywood store and after 2 1/2 years as a delivery man, clerk and
assistant manager, he went to work for the wholesaler, Bergen Brunswig.
He worked as an order filler, inventory coordinator, data processing manager,
hospital sales consultant, retail sales consultant in Van Nuys, CA, sales
manager in Covina, CA and finally division manager of the Sundry Division in San
Jose, CA. Ten years later, he decided that he really wanted to work directly for the
customer!
Walt chose a career in real estate in 1981, joining Red Carpet Blossom Valley
Associates. His broker, Steve Hanleigh, was a great inspiration and mentor and
now almost 30 years later, he still loves his profession!
While in the Army, Walt visited Honolulu, Hawaii on R&R (rest and
recuperation) and fell in love with the islands! After two dozen visits over the next
30 years to Oahu, Maui and Kauai he finally made the decision to move to
"paradise". He passed his Hawaii real estate exam in 1998 and bought a condo on
Maui. He was preparing to move when something more wonderful took place! He
married Arla, a friend for 20 years and a real estate agent as well. Arla
convinced Walt to move to San Diego instead of Maui and they started their real
estate career over again in "America's Finest City".
As "fine" as San Diego was, Hawaii still beckoned and in early 2003 they
decided to continue their real estate careers on Oahu. They were fortunate to be
accepted to the "family" of East Oahu Realty and now enjoy working with the finest
independent real estate company on the island!
Walt & Arla are "Old Fashioned" agents that believe the customer rules!
They'd be honored to represent you if you're thinking of buying or selling real
estate.
Home
Walt served 24 months in Vietnam.
He kept his head down while spending
nine months as a "bonnie rat" and spent time in Tuy Hoa, Phan Rang,
Song Mao, Phan Thiet, Kontum, Chu Lai, and Phu Bai and earned his "Combat
Infantryman's Badge". The photo to the left was taken by a fellow
"grunt". Even though Walt and his platoon had been walking in a stream for 3
days in hostile territory, he displays his trademark smile! Walt extended his
Vietnam tour to join HHC Co. (Brigade Aviation) as an OJT (on-the-job training)
mechanic on a helicopter but was assigned as a supply man. With no training or
experience in supply, he read all the manuals and quickly brought the supply
room (tent) up to standards and learned to "scrounge" the needed parts to help
keep the birds flying! He also flew as
a door gunner and "Huey" crew chief and received the Army's coveted Air Medal
with two clusters. Click here for a poem written by Ward
Welch in honor for veterans.