Military Records: Sgt. John Waters, 1972, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: February 16, 1972 Winn Parish Enterprise-News American Sgt. John Waters of Winnfield Green Beret Serves With Honor Sgt. John H. Waters, one of Winn Parish's two Green Berets, returned home to Winnfield last week after 11 months service in Vietnam. Winn's other Green Beret, Robert Cedars, has been previously featured in the Enterprise. And Sgt. Waters says he would like to go back to help the people in Southeast Asia. In fact, he tried to extend his tour in Vietnam for six months but the Army said "no". Waters, a 1968 graduate of Winnfield Senior High, volunteered for the Army in 1969, but was hospitalized for six months due to injuries received in a car wreck. Instead of trying to land a desk job after recovering from his wreck injuries, Waters decided to go all the way. Having already filled one of the requirements for special forces, volunteering for the Army, Waters volunteered for airborne and jump school. He then went on to volunteer for special forces schooling and the Green Berets, the Army's elite corp in combat men. In the eight month special forces training, Waters had conventional military courses, MOS (Military Occupational Schooling), and training in all unconventional warfare (jungle and guerrilla fighting tactics). For MOS courses he learned weapons and was classified as a weapons expert. After the eight month schooling, Waters was assigned to the Seventh Special Forces group at Fort Bragg and then went to Vietnam. Waters' service in Vietnam is termed "classified," but he was assigned to Task Force One, Advisory Element, Command and Control North, and was a reconnaissance team leader working out of Da Nang. Part of Sgt. Waters' job was to train Chinese and Vietnamese hill tribesman in part of the overall Vietnamization program, aimed at teaching the South Vietnamese to take over and defend their country. "I really liked my work and felt like I was doing a job to aid the American effort and defending democracy," the Green Beret said on his return to Winnfield. He continued "I don't regret any of my service, I would go back if I could." Waters says that he was in combat numerous times, but luckily was never wounded. For heroism and bravery under enemy attack, the young Sgt. was awarded the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal with V. On Special Forces recon team, Waters was one of two Americans, with six Chinese. Once or twice a month, Waters would take his team into the field on intelligence gathering operations. Waters was in charge of planning missions and coordinating the operations in the field as the team leader. Waters was awarded the Army Commendation medal for valor for heroic action on May 11-13, 1971. The citation states that as a member of the rear security element of a raiding team on patrol in enemy infested territory, Waters and his men came under heavy enemy fire. After the initial encounter, the enemy forces regrouped and launched a counterattack. At this time, Sgt. Waters exposed himself to hostile forces and used automatic weapon fire which sent the enemy fleeing. Then he helped move his men, some wounded, to the extraction site while still under enemy fire. "Waters' actions were of immeasurable value to the team in the successful completion of the mission," the citation reads. His Bronze Star was received for action on September 1, 1971 when he was the assistant team leader of a small reconnaissance team deep in enemy territory. When his team came under assault of the superior size enemy force, Sgt. Waters exposed himself to enemy fire to direct his team operation. He engaged the enemy and repelled the attack, leading his men in an on-line assault of a withdrawing opposing force. "The entire reconnaissance team was safely extracted as a result of Sgt. Waters' valorous actions," the report states. In addition to the Bronze Stars and Army Commendation Medal with V, and the regular basic training medals, Sgt. Waters received the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Ribbon, Air Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Combat Infantryman Badge, and his Vietnam and American Jump Wings. The Special Forces shield or insignia on Waters' Green Beret, when translated from Latin, reads "To Liberate the Oppressed." And Sgt. Waters can live with the special pride of one who gave his all to that effort.