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Black Lions Squad Leader in Vietnam: Black Lion 1/28th Infantry First Infantry Division

by Lee Meyer

86 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); Includes newspaper clippings, black and white photographs and a map; catalogue #06-0271; ISBN 1-4120-8516-0; US$14.75, C$16.96, EUR12.12, £8.48

In 1967 Vietnam became an "American war" and the American infantry soldier bore the brunt of the fighting while support for the war at home was rapidly eroding.

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About the Book

About the Author

Excerpts

About the Book

As a squad leader for the First Infantry Division (The Big Red One), Sergeant Meyer was involved in several major battles at Du Dop, An My, the Tet Offensive and Thu Due. This book describes the combat action as well as the daily routine of the infantry soldier in Vietnam. It neither glorifies nor condemns the war but highllights the sacrifices made by ordinary men.

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About the Author

LeRoy (Lee) was the 3rd oldest of 7 children born to Ralph and Clara Meyer. The Meyers lived on a small 90 acre farm three miles west of Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Collegeville was 12 miles from the largest city in the region, St. Cloud a small city of about 40,000.

His father worked full time at St. John's University for 20 some years and would continue at St John's for another 23 years. The farm contributed supplemental income from a small dairy herd and a large apple orchard. Apple customers came from a 30 mile radius to get the freshly picked apples in the fall. In the spring, the Meyers would tap maple trees and cook maple syrup. In the early summer they would pick and sell raspberries from the garden. In the winter, the Meyers would cut wood for sales and to heat the homestead. In the fall, Ralph would make grape wine and invite the brothers from St. Johns to help taste the product. So there was a lot of activity at the Meyer Farm. Meyer boys learned early how to work hard, to manage resources and how to relate to customers.

As with all the local children, Lee attended the local parochial grade school one mile south of St. John's University. Each school day the students would begin the day by attending mass at St John's prior to walking to school and beginning lessons. The grade school of approximately 90 students was taught by Roman Catholic nuns and lay personnel. Grades went from first through eight with two classes in each schoolroom.

Lee attended High school At Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, graduating with honors in 1965. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, playing hockey, basketball, baseball, dating girls, dancing, drinking and driving cars. He had a keen interest in history and enjoyed reading a good novel.

After attending St John's University for one year (1965 to 1966), Lee decided to fulfill his military obligation (2 years) and see the world. He planned on returning to St. John's after the two years utilizing the GI bill to help pay for college bills.

After basic training at Fort Leonard Woods, Missouri, Lee was assigned to take advanced infantry training at Fort Ord, California. He attended leadership training and was an acting corporal while in infantry - training at Fort Ord, California. After turning down orders for OCS (Officers Candidate School), he was an assistant drill instructor for eight weeks. Finally, orders were cut to send Lee to South Korea, Camp Casey Seventh Infantry Division. After six months in Korea, Lee was re-assigned to Vietnam.

While in Korea, Lee had been promoted to Specialist Fourth Class (E-4). He also took honors as Company, Battalion, Brigade and Division Soldier of the month. After a 30- day leave, Lee reported to the Army base at Oakland for processing to the Republic of Vietnam (RVN).

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Excerpts

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