STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of SFC Paul Salopek, U.S. Army (1972-2007)

I was 33 years old and was getting laid off from Westinghouse Electric East Pittsburgh Division. I needed a place where I could get a quick pension and earn enough to pay my mortgage. My wife and I went to the Air Force recruiter and could not get my age down enough to join the Air Force. He took us to the Army recruiter. He asked what MOS I held last time when I got drafted; I told him 24D20 and helped out with Special Forces. He asked if I wanted to go to SF, and I told him I was 33 years old and couldn’t run like a teenager anymore. I asked about a 51M fireman with no luck. I asked about my 88H, and he said no, so I asked about a 91B medic, and he said no. He told me I could be a Tanker or a Mechanic on the tank. I said I was a Mechanic, and it’s a thankless job, so make me a tanker. So, I became a Tanker, 19A3, M47/M48 Tanker. I was one of the few tankers that was qualified on the M47, M48 Tank, the M60 family, and the M1 family to the M1a2 SEP. I was told by an old tank that for every hour you ride a tank, you have to put seven hours of good maintenance on it. I lived by this rule, and my tank was always ready. There have been times that Murphy has bit me in the behind, but those times are few and far between. I knew that being a tanker, I would have to spend long times in the field. I averaged about 250 days a year. I had times when I could have left being a tanker, but I stayed with it. Even when I was a 92Y, I still went and got my range card. I would still run tank ranges along with other ranges. I was the go-to guy for a quick range. My weapons card started with 120mm, 105mm, 25mm, 40mm, M79, M203, shotgun, 50 cal, Belgian, 240 m240, all types, M14, M16, M-4, 45 cal, 9mm 38cal m82a1, m67 grenade I had the long list of weapons on any weapons card. They always asked about the shotgun. I told them it’s been a while, but I still remember.

I went to two basic training classes. The first was at Fort Dix, NJ, for Infantry Basic Training. From there, I went to Fort Bliss, TX, for AIT. The school was for 24D20 Hawk missile and launcher mechanics. The second one was at Fort Knox, Kentucky. I went through One Stop Unit Training, Basic, and AIT together. As for the units, I am in the 1st bn 30th ADA, Okinawa, Japan, from 1972 to 1973. I was stationed at Site 13. Then, I was sent to Korea, where I was stationed at B Battery, 1st Battalion, 38th ADA, from 1973 to 1974. I ETS’d in April of 1974. My next duty station was the 33rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Pittsburgh International Airport from 1984 to 1985. I was a 4NO31. I flew Air Evac on C-130, C-141, and C-5A. I flew two times a month. The money helped out, seeing I was laid off at the time. My next duty station was back in Korea at Camp Gary Owens, home of the 4th of the 7th Cavalry, from 1985 to 1986. I was a 19A and was trained on M47-48 Tanks and M60A3.

From there, I went to Fort Riley, KS, and was stationed in Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 34th Infantry.

REFORGER 1988 I am from Fort Riley, KS. It made a lasting impression on me because it was the same ground that my father was fighting on during World War II.

The next one was Desert Storm. My unit provided humanitarian aid near Basra, Iraq, as well as to the Kuwait Observation Mission. It was a Humanitarian mission, knowing that American Soldiers caused the people we treated most of the wounds. To look into their faces, seeing hurt and shock, made some soldiers sick. I guess all those years of being a volunteer fireman and running an ambulance made my heart a little harder. You forget the names, but the faces get burned into your mind. Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission. Knowing that once we left, the Iraqi Army could roll right through them, seeing all they had was a small arm to shoot at them. The Funny thing is that when we went back in 2003, the people in Basra were not too happy to see us, since we had hung them out to dry. However, it was not the first time I had seen it. Brightstar 9/11 was when we were loading the BOB HOPE. Everyone kept asking me where the boat was going, seeing that at the time, we were the most forward-deployed ground unit. I found out later that the United States signed a treaty we could not deploy from any country over there to go to war with another country.

I was in Korea, B Battery, 1st BN, 2nd ADA. It was nighttime, and BCC called me to tell me they were having trouble with one of the launchers. I went to the BCC and checked what the trouble was. After checking out the problem at the BCC, I went down to the launcher to check it out. I got there and opened the high-voltage cabinet to check out the problem. I had to do a check on the high-voltage side of the cabinet. The rule for working on the high-voltage side is to use only one hand on the high-voltage side; rubber covers protect anyone from touching any high-voltage wiring.

I started doing my checks and had to use both hands to get the check done. As I had both of my hands on the high-voltage side, the rubber safety shield came undone, and I had both hands on the high-voltage side; I had two things on my mind. One was whoever worked on the launcher before me; I was going to have him do duty for a long time. The second was how to get my hands out of the cabinet without getting the shock of my life. I started to pull my hands out slowly and was almost out when 416 volts found me. The only nice thing was that it left a mark on the back of my hand. Seeing that it was AC, the trouble is that AC makes your body coat rack round. I grounded out on my chest, stomach, and knees. I saw stars and did not move for a while. I put the safety cover back on and closed the cabinet. I went to the maintenance shed to tell the duty officer what happened. He looked at me and asked why my hair was standing up. I told him the story, and he started to laugh. I looked at him and asked what was so funny. He told me the problem in the BCC was fixed now. I never found out who worked on the launcher before me. It took about a month before the red marks were gone, and I grounded out. It was not the best way to fix a problem, but it worked. The bad thing about it is getting hit with it in the palm of your hand. It makes your hand close around it. It’s not like DC, which will throw you away from it.

My best duty station was HHT 1st Squadron 3rd ACR. During my time there, I made things work as well as possible. My MOSs included 19k, 92y, 88H. I was in charge of the S-4 for the Squadron and the movement NCOC for track vehicles. I was qualified and trained by Con Rail on the M1 rail car. During my time there, I learned about transportation, post-finance, and range control, to name a few. Knowing all those people made my job as S-4 easy. I earned the respect of the civilians and the Chain of Command I served under. The line I used the most was as I was the second-oldest person in the Regiment. When I was being drafted, you were trying to figure out if you wanted the GIO Doll with the crotch chop or the kung fu grip. Being the second oldest in the Regiment, I got away with many things. The saddest day was when I shipped the Soldiers Fallen Memorial to Fort Hood.

I was L and O for the Regiment, seeing I was retiring soon. The Company that made it was taking it to Fort Hood so they could fix anything that went wrong. I knew a lot of names on the walls of the memorial, and seeing it go was like seeing your best friend move to another state. We had a detailed clean-up Regiment build, and Colonel H. R. McMaster was there. I said, ‘Sir, I felt sorry for you having to attend all those meetings.’ He gave me a look as if he was going to take my head off and ask me to explain myself. I told him you’re a Colonel going to a meeting with Generals, and you’re in charge of more men and equipment than they have, and you’re only a Colonel, which makes you want to think who the best leader is. He smiled and said I never thought about it that way. They never knew how much I was in charge of. He said thanks and started cleaning out his desk.

Now, the least favorite post was Fort Hunter Legget, CA. Our motto was Truth Through Testing. I got called to go to see the CO in his office. I got there, and he told me to go home and pack my bags. I was being sent to Fort Hood for the M1A2 data reduction. He said I leave tomorrow. Before I left his office, he said Remember our motto. I said yes, Sir, and left to go pack my bags. I got home and told my wife I was going to Fort Hood and that I would leave the next day. While packing, I got a phone call from the CO telling me I would be leaving on Saturday, with more people going to Fort Hood. We left and started to work right away. We worked till January, getting to go home for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. After we were done, we had a meeting about our findings.

The post commander and TECOM commander were fielding questions and answers. They asked if there were any questions, but no one said anything. Then I put my hand up. I let loose with both barrels. I had LT Colonels, Majors, Sergeant Majors, and everyone else who was there sink into their seats, trying to blend in. We were dismissed, and we headed home. When I returned to the post five hours later, the CO was under orders and told me I would be on my own. I told him, “Do what you have to get out of here, I can take care of myself.” He told me you did what I told you to do, and that’s why I sent you. From then on, I was to receive only satisfactory on my NCOER no matter what I did, and was not allowed to go to Fort Hood and Fort Knox, and the First Sergeant would give me my PT test. I also got every task that came down the line, only the ones that no one wanted or sounded too dangerous. I got a call from ANCOC from the school Commandant, my old Sergeant Major, telling me I was in the next class and to pack my bags.

School starts on Monday. I told my first sergeant he was not a happy camper, and I got my packet the next day. I got to Fort Knox and reported in. I stood in line to report to the school Commandant. He said hi, Sal. You can tell me about it later. While going to school, I ran into some of my soldiers who became drill sergeants, and they asked me what I had done to get barred from Fort Knox. I told them it’s a long story, and you’d better watch their troops there getting out of hand. The drill sergeants got their troops in for formation. I told my friends goodbye. Their soldiers asked them who I was. They told them that he was a Tanker and that they would be the luckiest person as a 19K if they got stationed with him. To show you how much I was being looked down on. My General in charge of TECCOM was at the Armor Conference and would not even acknowledge my presence. While talking to another soldier from my unit, I was standing right beside him. To tell you how bad it was. My First Sergeant held my Platoon Sergeant’s NCOER over his head and told him how to write my NCOER. He came to me and told me what he said. I told him to do what he had to and not to worry about me. It took him three times to get it done. Now, if anyone who reads this thinks it is fake, let me know, and we will talk about it from heart to heart.

Playing Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. It made the troops happy, and the chain of command was as well.

Railheading all the track vehicles in the Regiment. In all seven years of doing it, I have never had an accident with any of my soldiers under my command, both at a railhead or loading a ship. Also, as a master driver of HHT First Squadron 3rd ACR, we only had one accident with a military vehicle, which was not the driver’s fault. It was the way the road was made. You can say it was luck or an act of God. Still, I think it was me looking over all the soldiers in the Squadron and being hands-on with them, giving them a chance to speak their peace or ask a question without interruption, giving them the correct answer, and breaking down so that they could understand what it was.

My professional achievements are long-lasting, lasting over 26 years in the Army. I have taken a new LT right out of Fort Knox and being less that week in the country down Table 12 because he wanted to take his platoon down Table 12 as an acting platoon sergeant; I knew the risk but was willing to do it because I knew the soldiers in my platoon were up to the task. We shot high platoon for Table 12. It was a feather in his cap and made him the talk of First Tank Korea. I helped many officers and put some of them in the S-2 shop before they could complete their platoon time. I got a West Pointer for the summer. The first thing I did was to go to CIF and get coveralls for him. I told him we were in maintenance, and he would be doing stuff on a tank that he would never do again. I said that some COs will not let you work your tank. He asked why, and I said I did not know why. Before he left, he hunted me down, gave me a coin with his unit on it, and thanked me for all the knowledge he now had, never to hear from him again. Yes, I did a lot in the Army, and I held a lot of MOS, which helped throughout my time in the Army, but for achievements, I let them go and gave them to someone else. I was just an old soldier with a lot of knowledge that I passed on to any soldier who would ask for it.

My Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. It was the first award I got. Korea 1974.

General Charles C. Campbell FORSCOM Commanding General 9 January 2007 to 3 June 2010. I first met him in Germany as Battalion Commander of 2-67 Armor. He promoted me to Staff Sergeant in October 1989. My wife used to do the wifely duties for him, seeing he was not married at the time. He would always send me and my crew to do recon for him. I always told him it’s hard to put those Special Forces recon in a tank. He laughed and said, “That’s why I sent you”. Are friendships growing during our time in Germany? When he was leaving, my wife asked him if he wanted to make a rank and get married. He did and became a four-star general. I met him again when I was at Fort Carson, and we got to talk old-time, and he had to go. My family and I watched him go through the ranks until I retired from the Army. It was fun. I would get an e-mail from him, and my Sergeant Major would be walking by, and I said I wouldn’t wish you got an e-mail like this. He looks and says, “Do you know him?”. I told him I knew him when he was an LT. Colonel. He let the Sergeant Major leave early and told him I would handle Battalion Formation.

I think that he wanted me to do more PT, having to step to the back of the formation quickly. Most of the First Sergeants thought having an E-6 holding Battalion Formation was funny. I got my but chewed by him one day. I was acting CO, and I came late to his briefing. The other but chewing came from the Sergeant Major for arriving late to his briefing. He asked where I was; I told him I was at the Colonel’s briefing. He told me his briefing was not to be missed and that I was an NCO first, not an Officer. After it was all done, he took me to see the Colonel, and they both laughed, saying, “You’re wearing too many hats today”. I asked how I was doing, and they were good but needed improvement. I think that I was the lowest Enlisted Soldier to write in his Obituary. As I wrote in his Obituary, he will always be Duke 6, his call sign in Germany.

General Charles C. Campbell, Duke 6, Ray Barracks, Friedberg, Germany, 2/67 Armor Battalion Commander, was the strongest and most soldier-friendly officer I served under.

I met Major General Gordon R. Sullivan at the CAV Museum at Fort Riley, KS. My family was going out, and he and his wife were coming in. His wife called my wife over to introduce my wife to her husband. We had just come back from REFORGER. My wife and his wife called me over. I went over and had my two boys with me. We were all introduced, and I asked how my wife and his wife met. They had a meeting for the wives while we were at REFORGER to keep the wives updated. From then on, his family and I became fast friends and followed his career. Major General Charles M. I have known him all my life. He was my neighbor. He was an old soldier, a soldier’s soldier. To tell you how good he was. I got a call from him one day asking if we had a mess hall. I told him, yes, it’s in our building. I asked why. He said he was coming to Fort Riley, KS, to do some work. I ask the way. He said he could go to any post, but he knew I was stationed at Fort Riley, KS., and to get ready, he would be in post next. So, if anyone came to Fort Riley, could they go to any post? That shows what kind of General he was.

Lieutenant General Jerry R. Rutherford. I met him while I was recovering my CO tank, which slid off the tank trail during night maneuvers. He flew in early in the morning, and the pilot came running over to us as soon as the helicopter landed. He said that he was sorry for dusting out our chow. I told him the only thing he did was add flavor to it. He laughed and went back to his helicopter. Then I looked down, and they were calling for me. I went down, and the General asked what the status of the tank was. I told him it was ready to go, but I needed two track blocks to get the track on. He said OK and left, telling me once it was done to go to the wash rack. I told him yes, Sir. Shortly after they took off, a jeep with two track blocks came; we fixed the track and went to the wash rack. The next time was during Desert Storm. My Sergeant Major was invited to Headquarters. I told him, ‘If you saw the General, tell him the soldier who was recovering the tank said hi, and I made E-6.’ He asked how I knew him, and I told him I knew him from Fort Riley, KS. He was the Division XO. They took off, and when they got back, my We Can Sergeant Major said that he remembered me and wanted to know why I was not SFC by now. He is the Division Commander for the Third Armor Division.

General Gary Edward Luck. I met him at Camp Grey Owns 4/7 CAV in 1985, and he flew in to meet the troops for Thanksgiving dinner. We got dressed in a Class A uniform. When we got to the mess hall, the CO and First Sergeant with the General were standing to meet us when we came in. As they greeted us, I asked the General if he would like to have a drink with us. He said yes, and we went to eat. As we got food and sat down to eat, I got two glasses of wine, one white and one red. We were done eating and just drinking wine when the General came over. I told him I did not know if he wanted red or white, so I got both. We talked for a long time and drank a lot of wine. His aide came over and told him it was time to go. He thanked us for the good time. He said in all his years, no enlisted man had ever invited him to sit down with him and talk. I met him again in 2000. They were having a USO show, and he was in the greeting line. He looked at me and asked Sal, “How are you doing I said, “OK, sir, how are you doing?” He said OK.

I wondered if he was still doing two miles in 12 and change, and he said yes. Once we got in and got our seats, my Platoon Sergeant asked how I knew everyone in the greeting line. I told him I knew everyone from brigade staff duty, and General Luck, we are old friends. It was my last tour to Korea and the last time I and the General met. Now, if you are wondering why I wrote down all Generals, it is to show that a young and old enlisted man could be friends with the higher. Meeting them was one of the best times in my time in the service. As I told my soldiers, the only difference between them and us is the belt buckle; he gets to pick which one he wants to wear.

I was stationed at Fort Riley, KS, and the Platoon Sergeant was heading to the motor pool when things did not look right. As we got to the motor pool, everyone was cleaning up. We asked the Motor Pool guard what was going on. He said it was Friday, and we were preparing for the Sergeant Major inspection. I looked at my Platoon Sergeant and asked what we did yesterday, but he could not tell me. We arrived at the tank line and asked everyone in the platoon what they had done that week, but no one could tell us. Our platoon leader came down to the tank line, and we asked him what we had accomplished all week; however, he couldn’t tell us. So, we asked the platoon what the last thing they remembered was.

The only thing we could all remember was the formation on Monday morning. That is the last thing everyone remembers. We started asking other platoons what we had done all week long. They told us it was just like any other week. So, the Platoon Leader went to the CO and asked how the platoon did this week. He was good as always. He came back and told us what he said. We told everyone to keep their mouths shut and continue as if nothing had happened. To this day, I still can’t remember what we did that week. It makes me laugh seeing that out of 16 soldiers, no one could remember. I suppose it’s one of Fort Riley, KS’s secrets.

Once I got out of the service in 2007, I became an armed security guard working for Wackenhut. I worked for them till 2012 when I became 100% disabled for service-connected injuries. At that time, I was staying at home. I am 100% disabled for PTSD, and a T.B.I. caught an IED heading into Mosul on my last tour. Had to be treated for cancer of the mouth. I guess all those years eating whatever I was working on finally got to me. I had V.A. Doctors ask me if I was exposed to chemicals. I told him yes, and he asked what. I told him most of the chemicals I worked with no longer exist, and the E.P.A. said they were too hazardous to work with. Oh, yes, and I’m trying to fill out all these questions you’re asking me.

When I came home in 1974, a family friend, who was then the president of the V.F.W., asked me to join. I told him yes and paid my dues. He was tending at the bar one night, so I went up. I went in and got my drink. About six World War 2 vets were at the end of the bar. It did not take long for them to start picking on me. The bartender said he would take care of this, and I said, No, this one. I went down to the end of the bar and asked what theater they were in, and they all said Europe. I told them that their enemy spoke German and was wearing a uniform. I said try to fight an enemy who wears no uniform and looks like everyone else during the day, but at night, he turns into your enemy. So, please tell me how you fight an enemy you can’t talk to like everyone else. Do you have any advice for them? They all stopped talking, and I left. When I went to work the next week, the president came and was going to say something, but I stopped him. I said the only thing I wanted to know was what his friends had to say when I left. He told me nothing, and they left when they finished their drink. I told him that was all I wanted for her. I never went to the V.F.W. again. When I came back into the Army, there was a man at the front door of the P.X. He belonged to the V.F.W. He asked me if I wanted to join, and I said no. I asked him how his membership was going. He said not to go. I told him that if they had more respect for the Korean and Vietnamese soldiers, their membership would be a lot more, and I left. As for the benefits I derived, it would have been nice to be treated like everyone else.

My career in the military has made me think that anything is possible, but not always. While in the Army, I have railroaded countless times and loaded ships to bring our equipment home. It made me think outside the box and do things that people would say, ‘No way could you do that.’ My career is just memories and stories that I can tell people. I have spent most of my life helping people, from being a Volunteer Fireman and running an Ambulance to teaching soldiers how to defend themselves. The Army was my home for a third of my life. I learned a lot and was willing to teach and share any information I had. I have had soldiers go to Special Forces and Officers to Delta Force, put my name on the line with them, and have never been disappointed with them. The Army has taught me a lot, but the thing I miss the most is Monday morning motor pool maintenance. It was my time to show others what I learned throughout my military career. I only had one person, my gunner in Korea in 1999-2000, ask me what I was doing behind the tank.

I would grab a handful of engine exhaust when he asked me why I did it. I told him to do it and let me know what he smelled. He said nothing. I took him to another tank on the line and did the same thing. He told me it smelled like JP-8. I told him that his igniter was going bad. When he PCS, he wrote to me and said he uses it all the time. I know this is a little winded, but it is being told by me for others to read. So good luck to everyone in and out of the service and to whatever branch you’re in. One person asked me what Service I would like to go to. I said the Navy and to be a SHOOTER, one of the number cat.

If you are a 19K, the advice I would give you is to remember that for every hour you ride in your tank. It takes seven hours of GOOD maintenance to get it combat-ready. I lived by that rule, and my tank was always ready. Keep your nose clean and stay out of trouble. Treat a detail with respect. For three years in Germany, my platoon was tasked with putting up and taking down the post flag when we had Post Duty. What I found out later was that the Post Commander would watch us put the flag up and take it down. He asks why everyone who had that detail did not do it like we did. Always give it your best, because you never know who is watching.

I recall the places I visited and the activities we engaged in. The 3rd ACR does not have the best write-ups in Wikipedia for our first tour in Iraq from 2003 to 2004. I don’t remember the names of the soldiers under my command or the officers I served with. It is a metal block that my mind has. If I don’t remember them, then they are still alive in my mind. You have helped me remember a few, and I thank you. But putting 24 years in and teaching countless soldiers. It is hard to remember them. I am crying as I write this, thinking of them. If any of my soldiers reading this who would not know this side of me. I never let this side out. I was always one who cursed and swore, but in a good way, if you could believe it. So, thank you for this question. It brought back the good.