Leading Soldiers In Vietnam: An OCS Lieutenant Serving With D / 1-5 Cavalry

Emil Ash grew up in a military family. His grandfather served in the military during WWI and his father and uncles served during WWII and Korea. His grandfather started a dry cleaning business, and his father and uncles all worked there. Emil attended a Catholic high school and played basketball there. He later returned to coach basketball there as well. Emil enjoyed sports and had an active and athletic youth. In 1966 he was drafted and subsequently attended Officer Candidate School (OCS). He recounts his military training at Ft. Dix, New Jersey, and Ft. Benning, Georgia, noting that his athleticism provided a significant advantage. He deployed to Vietnam in September 1968, and was assigned to D Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry in the 1st Cavalry Division. He details his initial experiences as a platoon leader in the mountains of I Corps, which he describes as a relatively gentle introduction to combat. He then contrasts this with the more intense and dangerous environment of III Corps, near the Cambodian border, where the terrain was thick jungle and the enemy was better-equipped and more aggressive. Emil describes several poignant and difficult memories, including the suicide of one of his radio-telephone operators (RTOs) and taking command of his company after it had suffered heavy casualties in a major firefight on April 27, 1969 (the Company Commander, Captain Greiner, was wounded). He reflects on the challenges of leadership in combat, the importance of staying calm, and the emotional toll of the war. After six months in the field, he served as the company's Executive Officer (XO), an administrative role in the rear. He describes his return to the United States, the indifferent reception he received, and his transition back to civilian life, which included earning a business degree at St. Bonaventure and starting a career. The interview concludes with his reflections on leadership, and the pride he takes in his service. He advises young leaders to listen to their Soldiers and get to know them individually.