Lt. Dan!!!

Forcing the young men of the United States into jungles of the Indochinese peninsula loaded with concealed dangers; conscription protects the democratic rights of trammeled Vietnamese, enslaved by the “Bamboo Curtain” of communism. The United States continues the thirteen year effort to defend democracy in Vietnam at the cost of its citizens’ lives. American soldiers, the defenders of democracy, champions of freedom, jeopardize themselves in the name of liberty.
In 1967, one such individual, Dan Clifford, receives the notification of conscription that forever changes his life. The United States Army requires his mandatory military service as a defender of democracy. Clifford utilizes his recently obtained degree to enter the Officer Candidate School (OCS). OCS molds the intelligent man, edifying him into a specially trained infantry officer qualified to lead men to, potentially, death. Over three years, Clifford prepares to lead a detachment of his countrymen against an experienced and beguiling enemy concealed in dense jungles, cities and villages.
In February of ’70, Clifford arrives at his base camp near the Cambodian boarder with two weapons, a gun and the rank of Lieutenant, he effectively contributes to the deracination of localized Viet Kong by utilizing both. Often platoons reject newly transferred individuals but Lt. Dan fits in seamlessly with his men while still maintaining the distance necessary to effectively command.
.When three of his men lose their lives during an ambush Lt. Dan, detached and rational, acknowledges their deaths but exhibits no feeling of loss. He risks the lives of the entire platoon if he losses his preparedness and, therefore, his detachment saves the platoon from confusion. The other platoon members also, generally, refrains from sentimentally discussing the deaths. The soldiers have a difficult and stressful duty to their country.
Lt. Dan’s platoon often exemplifies the coherent force necessary to survive. The levelheaded rational Lieutenant commands the group of 25 with a surreal calmness he exhibits while discussing the events that excite listeners.
Internal threats to the platoon quickly attract Lt. Dan’s attention. When three soldiers endanger the lives of the platoon by smoking marijuana in a combat zone. Lt. Dan brings discipline quickly to insure no future dangers manifest during skirmishes.
Lt. Dan receives a message ordering the platoon to move out for their first of many Cambodian Incursions. The command comes directly from the president, dated April 25, 1970, only a few days later would this order contribute in the deaths of nine and the wounding of four at Kent State University on May 4, 1970. Lt. Dan’s platoon belongs to the 25th infantry that spear heads the new offensive, Cambodian Campaign.
June of ’70 Lt. Dan’s platoon enters the most deadly ambush organized by the Viet Kong against their platoon since arriving in the combat zone. Bullets whizz through the air inches above the dry river bed. Lt. Dan and his platoon use for cover while spraying bullets in random directions praying to his a concealed enemy. Lt. Dan begins to give his order indicating the defensive strategy. Suddenly, a grenade explodes enveloping Lt. Dan with shrapnel. The subsequent wounds render his arm useless for the rest of his combat career. Nevertheless, the collected commander with a robotic sense of logical duty to the platoon continues his role without showing signs of fear, that he claims never crossed his mind. The means of survival and death we his only thoughts. Lt. Dan acts quickly as the incoming fire worsens, he calls in an air strike. Excitement rushes through his mind in anticipation of witnessing his first close air support assault. The massive 2000 lbs bombs explode on the enemy positions. The blasts shake the earth thousands of feet away. Lt. Dan looks up in anticipation to see the plane that brought the earthquake. The jets have already come and gone, delivering their awesome destruction with the efficiencies that represent the antipode of most battles in the Vietnamese and Cambodian wilderness. The Viet Kong disappear back into the jungle to hide in their tiny passageways of a labyrinth that may have opens within a few hundred feet of their position., Lt. Dan orders the platoon to prepare for a fast move back to the base camp where the unequaled American weapons can easily defend the wounded, Lt. Dan among them.
Clifford, finally, returns State Side after a brief stay in a Vietnamese hospital and then in Japan. He requests to reenter the United States through Washington to see a state that he has never seen before. The recollection of this incursion, across the state lines of Washington, brings more excitement than when he nearly died in a shallow ditch.
When Clifford answers questions about his feelings following the draft notice, he answers with the logical sense that acknowledges the events as unalterable. These occurrences can not be changed; only dealt with.
Clifford now regards his enlistment for military service in Vietnam as one of the greatest decisions he ever made. Dan Clifford currently uses his organizational skills as a public administrator in Wayne County, Michigan. He still speaks with an uncommonly calm tone many might consider boring if his stories did not contain such exciting events.

Sources:
Lieutenant Dan Clifford- (248)393-80XX
https://www.infantry.army.mil/ocs/
http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/learn_about_vietnam/geography/regions_and_climate/