American Legion Beaufort Post 207 brings you Herbert Washington, 75, who joined the U.S. Army after graduating from Robert Smalls High School in 1969. After Basic Training and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Jackson, he was sent to Vietnam as an infantry soldier patrolling in the field. On one such patrol he came under fire and was wounded; awarded the Purple Heart Medal; and he recovered at a hospital in-country.
He returned to Fort Jackson and was released in 1971 as a Sergeant. He then joined the U.S. Army Reserve and was assigned to a transportation battalion in Charleston. He used the GI Bill to earn degrees at TLC in electricity, carpentry, masonry, and hotel management. He then worked as a civil servant at the Parris Island Public Works Department for 21 years.
In 1991 he was recalled to active duty during Desert Storm and was deployed to Saudi Arabia. In 2010 he retired from the Army Reserves as a Master Sergeant. He has a son who retired from the Army as a Major.
Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 207. For Veteran Of The Week nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
