Biography
My OCS background instilled good leadership qualities, the value of teamwork, and the ability to be flexible enough to excel in many varied environments, duties and assignments. Without my Infantry OCS training, I doubt little of this would have been possible or accomplished.My chronology begins in January of 1955 when I quit high school at age 18 and enlisted in the U.S. Army to obtain the Korean War GI bill. I took Infantry basic training at Fort Ord, California, and graduated with honors.
April 1955 - Married high school sweetheart, Elizabeth. Assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky, for advanced Armor training. Upon graduation assigned to the 64th Med. Tk. Bn., 3D ID at Sand Hill, Fort Benning, Georgia, as a Armor tank crewman. Showed expertise in pistol marksmanship from company to Division level, being selected to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) in 1957 as an E-4. Awarded the U.S. Army Distinguished Designation Badge (Pistol) at age 20; the youngest at the time to do so. Completing successfully the high school and college GED tests allowed OCS qualification.
April - September 1957 - Selected to attend Infantry OCS at Fort Benning, Georgia. Selected to be the OCS company guidon bearer throughout the cycle, helped dedicate Wigle Hall and open a new OC Club.
September 1957 -1961 - Graduated OCS with honors and branch transferred to Armor. Assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky, to a Medium tank battalion; commanding a tank company with distinction. Received a Regular Army (RA) commission as a First Lieutenant.
1961-1964 - Assigned to a Cavalry Squadron, the 3/12th Cav., 3AD in USAREUR. Commanded an Armored Cavalry troop, plus other Squadron staff positions with distinction.
1966-1967 - My OCS background played a major role in an assignment as a MACV District Senior Advisor in the Rung Sat Special Zone (RSSV), III Corps. Led a 6 man Advisory Team in joint Infantry operations in support of our Vietnamese allies. These operations, in the largest mangrove swamp in Vietnam, placed his team under the operational Control (OPCON) of the U.S. Navy, to include joint operations with their SEALS, aviation and tactical naval assets, including naval gunfire support. His team supported local Regional and Popular Forces defending their area of operations (AO), resulting in the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), U.S. Bronze Star Medal for service and the RVN Gallantry Cross w/ Silver Star for valor.
1970 - Received undergraduate degree under the U.S. Army “Bootstrap” program in Omaha, Nebraska. 1970-1971 - Returned to the RVN as a Mechanized Infantry Brigade S-2, then S-3 of Task Force (TF) South, Phan Tiet in MRII. When the TF was disbanded in late 1970 was assigned as the Corps Deputy G-2, 1FFV, MRII, Nha Trang, resulting in the award of a 2d Bronze Star Medal and 3d Air Medal for service and the RVN Gallantry Cross, w/ Palm and 2d Silver Star, for valor.
1972 - Graduated the USA Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, with honors.
1972-1975 - Assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Pentagon, Washington, DC. Started as an Alert Team Chief in the National Military Intelligence Center (NMIC), then as the DIA Alert Team briefer and coordinator in the National Military Command Center (NMCC). Presented daily and crisis briefings to the Joint Chiefs and the Secretary of Defense, serving with distinction and receiving the Meritorious Service Medal.
1975-1978 - Selected to become the DIA Liaison Officer (DIALO) to the Australian Joint Intelligence Organization (JIO), Canberra, Australia, with the mission to coordinate strategic national and regional exchanges between these two nations, such as the CIA and NSA; serving with distinction and being awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
1978-1981 - Returned to Washington, DC as the DIA Chief, Western Pacific Branch, Directorate for Intelligence, with the mission to analyze, coordinate and produce studies and briefings in the Western Pacific region for our national authorities at the national level.
1981 - Awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM) for 9 years of honorable and distinctive service with the DIA. Was asked by DIA to consider continue serving them in a civilian Intelligence position; however, I politely declined as I was beginning to suffer Washington, D.C. burnout.
1981-1986 - Was selected by the USAMU to become the PIstol Branch Chief at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he developed and supported International and Service Pistol competitors and competitions and programs to further U.S. Army advanced marksmanship training. This assignment allowed me to complete in national marksmanship competition on duty; something I’d been trying to do over the years on my off duty and ordinary leave time. Upon retirement, received the second U.S. Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).
1986 -to date - Due to his keen interest in pistol marksmanship, honed by his military service, He remained active upon retirement. He served as the Coach, USAF National Pistol Team (1987-1993), was recognized by the National Rifle Association (NRA) in 1991 when they held their national convention in San Antonio, TX, and in 1993, when the city of San Antonio hosted the US Olympic Sports festival, serving as the National Shooting Sports Coordinator. In 1997 he won the US National Service Pistol Championship at Cp. Perry, OH. His long service (1987-to date) as a Director and a officer in the Texas State Rifle Association (TSRA) saw him elected as President in 2000-2001, after being awarded the TSRA Distinguished Service award in 2000. Upon retirement, the Talbots interest in travel and adventure saw them enter the “RV lifestyle” where they’ve driven and camped throughout the continental USA, including Alaska, Canada, as far west as Newfoundland, and Mexico, as far south as Belize. They’ve now slowed down somewhat to enjoy their 4 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.