Beaufort’s Paul Sweet, 73, joined the United States Army in Iselin, N.J., in 1968. After basic training at Fort Dix, N.J., he further undertook Infantry training at Fort Polk before being assigned to duty in Vietnam in the central highlands near Pleiku, where he was on constant patrol in the jungles. He was severely wounded in June 1969 during a firefight, medevacked first to Cam Ranh Bay, then to Japan. After sufficient recovery, he was assigned to duties at Fort Knox as a tank driver.
He was discharged in 1970 and returned to New Jersey, where he worked as a mechanic and warehouse manager. He moved to Beaufort in 1998. Today he has a 100% VA disability for a host of service-connected conditions; he volunteers as a DAV driver taking veterans to medical appointments. He is also a member of AMVETS, the American Legion, VFW, Purple Heart Association and the Moose Lodge.
Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
