’70                    Air Force                                             1970-1975   Captain

(Edited for space-see Jan 2025 newsletter for the whole story). The First Vietnam War Era Draft Lottery (the first since WWII in 1942) was held on December 1, 1969, broadcast live from Selective Service System Headquarters in Washington, D.C. I missed the very beginning; they had just drawn #11, and it wasn't my birth date. I was planning to pursue a PhD: I saw myself as a future Professor at a small school in Bumsquat, Idaho, or someplace similar. Then, the TV showed a taped replay of General Lewis Blaine Hershey, Director of the Selective Service System, reaching into a glass barrel of blue capsules, pulling one out, and reading the birth date: September 14 – MY BIRTH DATE! I had been picked #1; I had 'won' the lottery! In an instant, the course of my life had been changed. Because student deferments had ended, I wouldn't be able to complete my Senior year (they would most likely draft me before finishing coffee on the first morning.) No graduate school, no Professorship at Bumsquat College. After days of panic, I began to figure out what to do next and I joined the Air Force.

Reporting on July 7, 1970, I attended “90-day Wonder School” in San Antonio, Texas, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force and went to Pilot Training in Del Rio, Texas. When I couldn't avoid my tendency to vomit while flying, I got out of Pilot Training. The Air Force was upset. They sent me before a board, chaired by a General Officer who asked why he shouldn't assign me to count pillowcases in Minot, North Dakota. I gave him ten reasons; he gave me an office, a phone, and 30 days to find something to do. Amazingly, I found a 53-week School for Comms Officers in Biloxi, Mississippi, and the General agreed to assign me there. With a BS/Physics, I breezed through the coursework, graduating as the Distinguished Honor Graduate. I got orders for a RADAR Site in Mount Hebo, Oregon.

I soon got orders to attend the IBM 360 course, canceling my orders for Mount Hebo. I discovered that there were 3 IBM 360 Systems, 3 instructors, and me – I was the only student! I took advantage of the unbelievable access to the finest mainframe computer systems in the world, and spent all my spare time practicing my newly learned programming skills. After our first child was born, we moved to Omaha, and I began my new job. I loved every minute of it! I helped to build SATIN – the Strategic Air Command's Total Information Network, precursor of ARPANET, which became today's Internet! Joanne and I had our second child while in Omaha. When the Air Force decided that it was time for me to have a remote tour, I got out of the Air Force (I had spent 4½ years, fulfilling all my obligations and left active duty as a Captain).

’74                        Air National Guard                1969-1975   Staff Sgt

Enlisted summer ’69 Air National Guard 6 yrs. Lackland AFB TX, Keesler AFB Biloxi MS for Electronics School-Aircraft Radio Repair. Weekends Westfield MA Barnes Guard Base, summer training Otis AFB MA, Alpena MI while attending UMass as an active brother of PSD.

’67                       Air Force                                       20+ years

USAF active duty as a 2nd Lt. Sep 67. After an initial assignment to Waverly, IA, served SE Asia combat tour in Pitsanuloke, Thailand from July68-Jul 69. Assigned to Homestead AFB, FL then 5 yrs as AF Air Nat Guard Advisor at Punta Salinas PR. This was Education Tour, earning an MBA at InterAmerican Univ and lecturing in Political Science & Economics. Reassigned Shaw AFB, SC for 18 months, then Kelkar GER as part of initial cadre establishing a NATO Ops cell there. Returned to HQ TAC, Langley AFB, VA 78-80, then served on a CINCLANT staff, Norfolk, VA 80-83. Followed by a command tour, Squadron Commander & Air Station Commander, Prum, GER. Returned to HQ TAC in 85 and retired Apr 30, 1988 with 20 years, 7 months service. Decorations include: Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious[RG1]  Service Medal (w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Air Force Commendation Medal (1OLC) & Air Force Achievement Medal. After retiring, had a 2nd combat tour in Desert storm, Jan-Mar 91 at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as Grumman Team Leader of 40 civilian contractors with the 4411th Joint Stars Sq.

’65                Air Force

‘68                Navy                                              11/68-8/72   E-5 PO 2nd Cl

Enlisted after graduating UMass in 68. Assigned to a destroyer in a squadron based in Yakuska, Japan. For 18 months, a series of deployments to the “Gunline” off North & South Vietnam, with visits to various liberty ports (Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Okinawa, Philippines, Japan). Squadron back to San Diego late 70. While the ship was in the shipyard, volunteered for 36 weeks of Vietnamese language training in El Paso, TX and back to Vietnam in Jan 72 as an advisor to the Vietnamese Navy riding patrol boats in Danang Harbor. Some incidents but nothing too serious. Discharged Aug 72.

’67                Air Force

’66                Army                                          20+ Yrs           Colonel

 ‘70               Army Natl Guard              1970-2007      Colonel  

Enlisted with the Army National Guard in Greenfield Mass after graduation from Mass with lottery #112. Basic training was in Ft Polk LA (Sun, Snakes, and Poison Oak). Spent the next 9 years as enlisted (SSG/E6) and realized that I would look better in an officer’s uniform. Commissioned July 1979. Completed military training up to and including Command and General staff College (1993). Served as an Infantry Officer for 18 years. Final 10 years, I was the supervisory Contract Specialist, Director of Human Resources, Deputy Director of U.S. Property and Fiscal Office. Retired Oct, 2007.

‘69                Army                                       1967-1968

South Vietnam, arrived 12-11-1967. Small arms fire casualty 1-10-1968 Quangtin Province. Go to “virtual Vietnam Wall” link, go to Holliston MA and click Ghelli. Click full profile to see Tom’s Ribbons and service record. Tom received the Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service and Vietnam Campaign medals.

’70               Marine Corps. Reserve

’69               Army                                       1970                  Lt

 ’69            Army

Combat Engineer in the Army and learned how to blow up bridges, etc. Oh well, still not too bad as I ended up running the largest officers club in the country, at the time, due to my degree in Restaurant and hotel management. Luck of the draw but still a great experience for a young guy.

’60            Air Force                  06/60-10/64           1st Lt

After receiving my commission as a USAF 2nd Lt in June, 1960, I took a year’s delay of active duty to pursue a Master’s Degree at B.U. Once that was completed, Judy and I were married and I entered active duty as an Administrative Officer of the 4624th Support Squadron at Hancock Field, just outside of Syracuse NY. At the end of a year (my delay of active duty was considered active reserve time) I was promoted to 1st Lt. and reassigned to a custodial detachment of the 304th Munitions Maintenance Squadron on a British Air Base in northwestern Germany. There I was assigned as a nuclear weapons alert duty officer responsible for the release of nuclear warfare should the Soviet Union and its allies begin to overrun Western Europe and the need arise to use tactical nuclear weapons to slow them down sufficiently to bring reinforcements in from the U.S. This was 1968 immediately after the Cuban Missile Crisis.

A year later I was sent on an R&R assignment to a postal detachment at Athenai Air Base in Athens Greece. Once there, I discovered that I was the senior Lt (by two weeks) assigned to the Athens Station of the Armed Forces Courier Service and I therefore became the officer in charge of that station. We had top secret and cryptographic pick up and delivery responsibility for Greece, Crete, Cyprus, Tripoli, most of Turkey and points east as far as Peshawar Pakistan. I was an interesting part of the world for a Jewish kid from UMass to go bouncing around with a 38 on his hip. I was released from active duty in October of 1964 and (luckily for me) missed Vietnam.

 ’64               U.S. C G Reserves  1964-1970  Boatswain Mate 2nd Class

Rank Boatswain Mate 2nd Class. Best part was the Coast Guard used my degree in Landscape Architecture to help improve the curb appeal of their lifeboat stations in Mass. And Maine.

’72                Navy Reserves    1/1967-7/2007  Master Chief Petty Officer        

During UMass years, attended duty at the Worcester Reserve Ctr and 2-week active duty aboard ships in Newport RI, Norfolk Va and on aircraft carriers, destroyers and in Navy Finance Offices. Upon UMass graduation, 2 yr active-duty Newport, RI Naval Station & Boston Naval Finance Offices. Then NCRB-12 Naval Construction (SEABEES). 2-week stints at Mardi Gras, West Coast, Colorado Springs training (+skiing). Remainder assigned to SEABEES Units in New England as Officer in Charge at Naval Reserves Providence RI.

Stockbridge ’70 UMass ‘75        Marine Corps       2 Years

Vic attended Stockbridge 68-70, was drafted into the Army so signed up for the Marice Corps. He attended Camp Lejeune then was stationed in Washington D.C., then shipped to the Republic of Panama. After a 2 year hitch, back to UMass.

’79             Army ’69 18 mos & Air Force/Reserves ’79-87 Captain

Drafted ’69 Army. Army Medical Corps. Inactive Reserve Fort Dix NJ, Fort Sam Houston, Fort Ord CA. Graduated PSD and UMass ’79. Commissioned USAF Aircraft Engineering Officer, 4 yrs. SAC Chanute AFB, IL, Carswell AFB TX, Torrejon AFB Spain. NATO Command CFB Cold Lake Canada. Pease AFB, NH. Then 4 yrs. A F Reserves.

’68           Army Reserve/Navy       6/1966-6/1996         Captain

Joined the Army Reserve in June, 1966. I did my Army boot camp and advanced Infantry Training at Ft. Ord, CA. I was in a Mass Infantry Battalion at Ft Totten, NY when I went to Medical School. I finished my obligation June, 1973, having been a Staff Sgt. I became an officer in the Navy Oct 1975. After Officer Training, I was stationed at the Naval Hospital San Diego, covering both NTC and MCRD San Diego until June 1977. I was transferred to Naval Hospital Beaufort SC where I did a one year surgical residency with the Navy. In June 1978, I was transferred to Naval Hospital Great Lakes and became Chief of Podiatry at Great Lakes. In June 1982, I was transferred to Naval Hospital Oakland where I was Chief of Podiatry and Head Orthopedic Residency Program. In Oct 1985 I was transferred to Naval hospital Okinawa Japan. During that tour I was responsible for the foot care of over 80,000 military and dependents in the Pacific rim. I was also the Acting Director of Hospital Administration at Okinawa for 5-6 months. During that tour, I was asked by the Japanese Embassy to help with the Sports Medicine for the 1988 Japanese Olympic Team. In Dec 1987, I was transferred to Naval Hospital Pensacola FL where I remained until my retirement in June 1966. Awards: Navy Achievement (2), Navy Commendation Medal, Unit Citation(2).

’76               Navy           20+ years

’67               USAF          1967-1971   Sgt.

’71                Army

 ’60             Navy

Served in the Korean War. Died 12/8/2002.  Interred in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific aka Punch Bowl Military Cemetery, Oahu, HI.

’69             Army Reserve  Sept 69- Sept 75  Spec 6

’61              Air Force

’67            Army

The U.S. Army did not require “cum laude” on the diploma to force me to jump out of perfectly good airplanes and participate in the military version of Planet Fitness (Ranger School) which they operated at Ft Benning Ga, and other “spa like” locations. After toning and sculpting body and mind, I was sent on vacation to southeast Asia with the 101st Airborne Division where I enjoyed warm weather, a moist climate and a tad less gunfire than some areas of Boston. Dorchester comes to mind. As it sometimes happens, one of those bullets came in contact with my helicopter and following a rather abrupt landing (some would call it a flight into terrain) I was forced to leave on a med evac flight. So much for fun in the tropics.

’72              Army

During the dark Vietnam War years of 1966,1967,1968. And during those dark times, sometimes the only thing that kept me going was the knowledge that I was keeping the world back home safe-so that Kevin O’Reilly could continue to take phys ed classes at UMass.

’71              Marine Corps        2yrs 15 mos Corporal

1965-67 USMC.  Vietnam in Danang then Cau Viet outside of Hue. Corporal primarily trained to be in Amtracs but spent most of the time ion the ground, thus the term “Amgrunts”. Received several Campaign Medals for various operations the unit was engaged in during 66-67. Returned to Camp Lejeune, NC Fall ’67. Returned to UMass Spring ’68 to see original graduating class leave, so with wife Kate and sons EJ and Brendan became Pri Sig House Parents.

’65            Air Force

 ’70           Army                May 1970-1972

Delayed the draft an extra year, graduating in May, 1970. Remember the night of the “Lottery”. Bodzioch yelled “I win”. I did too 5/10 at number 67. Enlisted May, 1970, headed to boot camp. Next Stop Panama Central America as a weather observer. I went to Panama, hunted, fished, snorkeled and played in the jungle for 16 months and got cursed with an early dismissal from president Nixon to help reduce the force (just when I was up for promotion). Came home. Got married and finished my MBA work at UMass. Vin, Vinnie, Vince, aka Yukon Erick.

’60      Army Ordnance Corps         1960-1968         Captain

Served in the U.S, Army Ordnance Corps ready reserve with active duty at Aberdeen Proving Ground MD and National Guard and Army Reserve assignments in Ohio and New York. Honorable Discharge.

‘71      Army Reserve                          6 Yrs.

’71      Air Force                                 1972-1992         Captain

Looking back 45 years, I can remember sitting in the tv room of our “new” house (the brick QTV building) in the spring of my senior year. The Vietnam War was in full gear, the draft lottery was in play and those that drew low numbers would surely be going to Southeast Asia. I drew 276. I wasn’t going.

A year and a half later, I would be standing in Newark, NJ taking the oath of induction, a new volunteer! After 3 months in San Antonio TX, I was commissioned a 2nd Lt. I was an officer and a gentleman. Ater getting my “wings” as a navigator, I received my first assignment-NAV/Strategic Air Command Upper Peninsula MI. Over the next nine years, I worked my way up the food chain-Instructor NAV, then Radar NAV (what the AF called their bombardier) and finally Instructor Radar NAV. In that time frame, I logged 3,332 hours in the air and 1460 days sitting on alert, waiting for the encoded message which, thank God, never came, a message to launch the fleet and strike all assigned targets-in short Nuclear Armageddon. 

My last 10 years in the AF were behind a desk. I helped plan and build the missions that B-52’s would fly to take out their targets. I retired in 1992 from Griffiss AFB in Rome NY and have stayed in that area ever since.

’70              Marine Corps. Reserve

 ‘64                 Army                                    36 Yrs.    CW5

Enlisted 1966. Ft Polk, LA basic. Helicopter flight school Ft Wolters, TX & Ft Rucker, AL. Vietnam Aug 67-Aug 68. Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 20 Oak Leaf clusters for 500+ combat missions. Assault helicopter pilot and medivac pilot flying Hueys (UH-1) USAR ’70-’75. Army NG ’78-’87. Active duty (instructor Pilot & Aviation Safety officer) Army NG ’87-’02. Flew Cobra helicopters (AH-1S) 1988-96 (Desert Storm) with 1st squadron 110th Cavalry. Back to Hueys ’96-’01. Retired 2002, Senior Warrant officer (CW5) 4-1-92. Now 50% disabled due to Parkinson’s Disease and Coronary Artery disease resulting from Agent Orange exposure plus numerous other back and neck degeneration issues due to 36 years of flying helicopters.

’64               Army