Welcome to the Life and Times of
I have built this website to share some of the more interesting aspects of my life. On several occasions (or was it two?), people have encouraged me to publish my "war stories." Although I can write one hell of a academic paper, I've never been much good at "creative" writing. Therefore, this is a work in progress!
I've attempted to make this website entertaining as well as informative. Along with my "war stories," I've included hundreds of photographs (not all mine), several videos and slide shows, and, of course, music. My claims are documented as best as possible.
I do not expect everyone who visits this site to find it all interesting. So, please feel free to bounce around and sample what you like.
This site covers (will cover) from my high school days until yesterday. It includes my military service, my passion for skydiving, and my life long love of learning and facilitating the learning of others.
My intended audience is family, friends, vets from wars past and present, skydivers, war historians/buffs and anyone else interested is killing a little time. This site is too large to try to complete at one sitting. Unlike a book, a visitor can "surf" the site and need not read it "cover to cover."
Wisdom is better than knowledge. Wisdom with knowledge is better yet. I am living proof that lucky is better than both!
I've attempted to make this website entertaining as well as informative. Along with my "war stories," I've included hundreds of photographs (not all mine), several videos and slide shows, and, of course, music. My claims are documented as best as possible.
I do not expect everyone who visits this site to find it all interesting. So, please feel free to bounce around and sample what you like.
This site covers (will cover) from my high school days until yesterday. It includes my military service, my passion for skydiving, and my life long love of learning and facilitating the learning of others.
My intended audience is family, friends, vets from wars past and present, skydivers, war historians/buffs and anyone else interested is killing a little time. This site is too large to try to complete at one sitting. Unlike a book, a visitor can "surf" the site and need not read it "cover to cover."
Wisdom is better than knowledge. Wisdom with knowledge is better yet. I am living proof that lucky is better than both!
SFC Michael G. Stahl, USASF (Ret.)
Wisdom of the pAges:
The unexamined life is not worth living. Plato (424 BC - 347 BC)
I am SFC Michael G. Stahl, a a high school dropout. I enlisted into the U.S. Army on 22 Nov 1962 at the age of 17.
While in the Army, I was trained as a parachute rigger. I learned to speak both Arabic and German fluently.
In 1966, I applied for and was granted Special Forces training. I volunteered for 3 tours in Vietnam. I served 2. At the end of my second tour, I was a highly decorated soldier. Some civilians might even go so far as to call me a "war hero."
After my medical retirement, I started college. My AA, BS and MA were all earned with honors.
While in the Army, I was trained as a parachute rigger. I learned to speak both Arabic and German fluently.
In 1966, I applied for and was granted Special Forces training. I volunteered for 3 tours in Vietnam. I served 2. At the end of my second tour, I was a highly decorated soldier. Some civilians might even go so far as to call me a "war hero."
After my medical retirement, I started college. My AA, BS and MA were all earned with honors.
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FROM
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EXERPTS FROM GUEST BOOK COMMENTS (Some of these folks are not related
to me.)
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CA
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". . . very impressive website."
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SC
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"Great Site,1st time visit."
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OR
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"Greetings Mike, been quite some time since knowing you in VN. I was 05B4S at
C-team and A-104. We hung out a couple of times in DaNang."
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Scotland
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" . . . totally fascinating . . . awesome site, a real labour of love . . ."
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CO
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"I got your link from Army buddy John Vincent (Hays,Ks.) I was with Co. A,
5thSFG at Bien Hoa from June, '67 to May '68. I was a weapons sergeant."
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IL
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"You guys are a tough bunch of dudes, and you have my great respect for what
you've done and who you are."
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GA
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". . . I enjoyed your site & that I'm so proud to read you history esp. sence it give
me an insight on my brothers mysterious tour in VN."
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VA
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"Great job. Information everybody should be aware of. Thanks."
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CO
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"I love the great design and the awesome stories, pictures, and videos."
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KY
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"What you read on his website are the true facts of his experiences while he was
in the army."
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GA
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"The honor was mine to be a part of your last mission."
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Australia
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"I thank you for not forgetting the great service proformed by I think ,some of
your very best servicemen and women.
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GA
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"Thanks Mike for keeping your web site going. Joe"
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CO
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"Great video, Mike...... Look forward to jumping with you again soon!!"
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Denmark
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"Browsing round serching for stories of A`Shau valley - I like your site alot, and
have recomended it to a couple om my comrades, who also enjoyed the ballads."
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NC
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"I'm looking forward to spending some time learning more about you."
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OR
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"Wish I had more pictures of FOPC -- I'd put them up on my personal website.
Thanks for your webpage."
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CA
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"We jumped together at FOPC first half of 1969. I have lots of memories of Otters
and Beavers plus one Huey."
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FL
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"I have beeen given to privelege of Advocating for two members of the 5th who
served with A-109. I learned alot about them through your words.
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