About
Former US Army Master Sergeant who served for the elite Special Forces' Studies and Observation Group (SOG) during the Vietnam War. He received the Medal of Honor in 1981 for his valor shown during combat near Lộc Ninh, South Vietnam in May of 1968.
Before Fame
He dropped out of school at age 15 to work full-time and support his family. He switched from the Texas National Guard to Army active duty in 1955.
Trivia
After being told he'd never walk again due to stepping on a land mine in Vietnam in 1965, he began self-training and walked again just a year after his injury. He wrote three autobiographical books about his life and military service, including 1995's Medal of Honor: A Vietnam Warrior's Story.
Family Life
He had three children with his wife. He passed away due to heart failure in 1998.
Associated With
He was presented the Medal of Honor in 1981 by then-president Ronald Reagan.
