The Making of A US Army Logistician

About the Book

This is the story of a high school graduate, with no thoughts of a military life, who took advantage of some extraordinary opportunities that led to a successful career in U. S. Army Logistics.

Most personal accounts of a military life are provided by those who fought battles. This is rightfully so as success and survival in battles is the final measure of the military challenge.

However, this is the story of one of the rear echelon who started his logistical career at the lowest. Beginning as an ammunition handler (strong back and weak mind) at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), MD led to his most interesting WWII activity in charge of the ammunition section of a detachment from APG to Fort Miles, DE engaged in testing of the top secret proximity fuze. This led ultimately to a career in logistics that ended directing 680 people in the management of a billion dollar operation termed by his USAF Major General rater as "one of the toughest 0-6 (Colonel) positions in the Department of Defense.

Along the way, he found that volunteering, contrary to that most hallowed warning of the Old Army not to volunteer, provided more opportunities.

Interspersed throughout this account are explanatory reports on military life: little known military personnel practices (officer efficiency reports, the significance of commendatory letters, non-combat awards, and the importance of service schools); social contacts, including some with general officers that the author does not recommend; travel opportunities, and broadening life experiences; some hilarious, some sad, and many unusual. Some of these will be of interest to military as well as non-military readers.

The author's views on the Korean War, Vietnam, and the current challenges of the War on Terrorism offer a different view from those loosely termed conventional wisdom.

Following retirement, Col. Reese continued his volunteer activities with another unexpected 27 year career, that of advancing a knowledge, interest, and appreciation of Welsh heritage. He served in the highest offices of two national and one international level Welsh organizations, authored The History of The Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association and continues his interest today.

About the Author

Col. Alfred J. Reese, Jr., USA, is a native of Lansford, PA who retired after 32 years of active enlisted and commissioned service. His military career spanned World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam Conflict.

He was drafted into the US Army in May 1943, re-enlisted in January 1946 for one year and was commissioned on 3 October 1946 from The Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA.

His wartime tours included Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand. He specialized in such fields as logistics and comptrollership while serving his wartime tours and in various parts of the United States, including Washington, DC, and in Italy, and France.

His last assignment, the most demanding, was as the Director of Clothing and Textiles, Defense Personnel Support Center, Philadelphia, PA responsible for procurement, storage, and issue of uniforms and textiles for all the Services.

Col. Reese attended the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS and, after graduation, remained there on the faculty teaching logistical subjects. He is a 1968 graduate of the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. He is also a 1971 graduate of the University of Maryland where he was elected to The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

His military decorations include the Legion of Merit with three Oak Leaf Clusters, The Meritorious Service Medal, The Air Medal, The Army Commendation Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters and service awards from all three conflicts.

Col. Reese and his wife Faye, a Registered Pharmacist who still works at her profession, live in Mahoning Valley, PA.