“Son, You’re My Hero”: Following in His Father’s Footsteps To An Army Career

Oz Colon was born in 1959 and grew up with three brothers. His father was in the Army, and he moved around as an Army Brat until the family settled in Puerto Rico when his father retired from the Army in 1969 as an E7. His father served during the Korean War, where he earned a CIB, and he was an Adjutant General NCO in Vietnam. Oz’s mother was a seamstress and a homemaker. Oz remembers receiving audio tapes from his father when he was deployed to Vietnam. As a boy, Oz remembers the joys of frequent family camping trips. High school was tough for Oz because he had to learn Spanish. His dream was to join the Army and he did so when he was 17. Joining in 1977, Oz experienced the post-Vietnam Army, where his Drill Sergeants were all Vietnam Veterans, and the beginning of the All-Volunteer Force (VOLAR). Oz witnessed the transition from a force rife with drugs to one where standards were upheld, trust and reliability increased, and the “government cared for us.” He joined the Army to follow in his father’s footsteps, starting his career as an 11B (Infantry). One of his father’s friends was a Drill Sergeant, so Oz felt like he knew what to expect during Basic Training. In AIT, he enjoyed the “light mentality” of the Infantry. After his first assignment, he reenlisted to go to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, where he was born, and transition to Field Artillery. He enjoyed success in the artillery and had good NCOs who encouraged him to put in his promotion packet. Along the way, under the leadership of his Platoon Sergeant, SFC McCutcheon, Oz’s platoon was awarded the title of best platoon. He then provides an overview of his career. In Italy, Oz operated the Lance missile, a nuclear capable surface to surface tactical ballistic missile. Later, he crewed the MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System). Returning to Ft. Sill and assigned to the 6th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, his unit transitioned from 8-inch howitzers to the MLRS. Next, in Germany, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, and conducted frequent training rotations to Grafenwoehr. They were alerted for Desert Shield / Desert Storm, and deployed their MLRS batteries. Oz, who was an E7 at the time, remembers one Vietnam Veteran remaining in the platoon, an E6 whom Oz refers to as “the most loyal NCO” in the unit. After returning from south-west Asia, Oz served as a First Sergeant for five years at Ft. Sill. At 39 years old, he finally secured a slot at Airborne School as an E8. He was then assigned to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, where he earned his Jump Master wings serving with 1st and 2nd Battalion of the 319th Field Artillery. At Bragg, he was the DIVARTY (Division Artillery) Operations Sergeant Major. A stint in Germany followed, where he was the Observer Controller Sergeant Major at Hohenfels, and he completed a tour to Bosnia in 2001-2002. His next assignment was as the Command Sergeant Major for 2nd Battalion, 320th Artillery in 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, and he deployed with that unit to Iraq in 2005. Describing his earlier service during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he remembers the MLRS crossing the FLOT (Forward Line of Troops) with Bradleys as escorts to fire at Iraqi headquarters and air defense units before returning to their own lines. He discusses sending his equipment by rail to the desert and linking up with his rocket launchers at King Khalid Military City (KKMC) in Saudi Arabia. They lived in tents in the desert and trained in preparation to fight the war. He recalls the threat of Iraqi SCUDs. Watching the start of the Gulf War, he “realized how powerful our military was,” and thought, “This is my Army.” He was stationed in Germany when America was attacked on September 11, 2001, and describes how everything, even training, changed, noting the “Germans helped us with security.” Arriving at the 101st in August, 2005, he joined the 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, as they were about to deploy. They occupied FOB (forward Operating Base) Bernstein near the town of Tuz Khurmatu in Saladin Province, replacing a Tennessee National Guard unit. From that base, they conducted patrols and gun operations. In February 2006, the unit shifted north to Kirkuk, leaving a Platoon behind to transition with an Iraqi unit. In Kirkuk they experienced more IEDs, and Oz describes going on patrols and moving supplies. He reflects on the night Ty John Johnson was killed (April 4, 2006). He describes heading back to FOB Bernstein when an IED exploded, hitting the vehicle. Another Soldier, Smith, lost his legs immediately, and Oz tried to perform lifesaving procedures on Ty, giving him mouth to mouth. He describes the medic shaking as he tried to start an IV, and the Executive Officer calling for a medevac. The medic took Smith, and Oz “didn’t want to accept that Ty was gone.” He remembers that Ty had everything to live for, two children and wife, and he enjoyed helping the Iraqis. Oz realized that there was “nothing I could have done to save him.” That experience left Oz “a mess,” but he realized that he had to live to honor the sacrifice of his Soldier. He describes Soldiers dealing with Post Traumatic Stress, and maintaining the discipline not to let their feelings get out of control. Near the end of his interview, he describes working with CPT John Willis, “the best commander I ever had.” After retiring from the Army, he did not want to have anything to do with the Army until CSM Espinoza reached out to him. Now OZ enjoys attending reunions because they help him deal with Post Traumatic Stress. Reflecting on his service, he states, “Trust your NCOs,” adding, “The more my leaders trust me, the harder I work.” His prayer is that “everyone serves their time in the military” because it makes you feel good to be an American. His son is carrying on the family legacy by serving in the Special Forces.