In the summer of 1964, I got my dream job: lifeguard at the Ft. Benning Officer’s Club. But, my father’s transfer to Ft. Bragg put it all at risk. The Kinnard’s came to the rescue and I spent that summer as a house guest. MG Kinnard was then the CG of the 11th Air Assault Division and war was looming. If you have seen Mel Gibson’s movie “We Were Soldiers”, then you know the story.
General Kinnard played golf every Saturday morning and I often caddied when my lifeguard schedule permitted. The foursome was different every week and included other leaders of the division. I learned lots of great bawdy jokes, and also understood what the division was preparing to do. He trained a great division and led them into battle as the 1st Cavalry Division. Many of the things I later did in Vietnam as an aero rifle platoon leader, long range recon platoon leader and rifle company commander were techniques developed by General Kinnard and his 11th Air Assault Division.
He served his country well and I remember him fondly.
Great story. Thanks for sharing it, and thank you for your service to our country. God bless.