Veterans History Project

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

Samuel House (Sam) is from Tilden, Nebraska. Sam wanted to be in the US Army. He had researched some items that might be in his future including joining early. He learned that the National Guard had an option that appealed to him. It was called the split-option enlistment.

On completion of his junior year in high school, he could go to basic training and complete it during the summer. After graduating high school, he could resume active duty and complete his advanced training.

Sam took advantage of this program. After passing the required items, he was sent to Fort Benning, GA to undergo Basic Combat Training (BCT) at the installation that is the “Home of Infantry”.

The Nebraska National Guard had done a good job of preparing the new recruits about what to expect. There was Drill Sergeant Heinz, and First Sergeant Lopez. Both of these NCO’s had a lot of influence on the recruits.

Sadly, within a month of starting BCT, Sam was notified through the Red Cross that his mother was in a critical stage with regard to her health. The Red Cross message urged Sam to make arrangements to go back to Tilden very soon. He was allowed this privilege and returned to Nebraska to see his mother for her last moments. He remained in Tilden for a week then returned to Fort Benning.

Luckily for Sam, the BCT cadre allowed him to re-engage with his original platoon so that he could train and finish BCT with them. The training was good and thorough, and in August of that year, Sam marched across the parade field as a member of a platoon that was graduating.

Sam returned to Tilden, NE for his senior year. He had matured quite a bit and had experiences no other in the area had had at his age. Sam continued to drill with his National Guard unit during the year. On graduating from high school, he went back on active duty to complete Advanced Individual Training (AIT). The schooling was at Fort Benning, GA. Sam was familiar with the place.

In early 1989, the Army had softened its approach in training individuals. One demonstration of this was the introduction of the “stress” card. In a situation and a Drill Sergeant needed to get in the face of a recruit, the recruit could produce a “stress” card and the Drill Sergeant would have to back off. Sam had gone through BCT as it was throughout history, and then this program came about as he started AIT. It was a little difficult to adjust to.

Sam reflected on his first day in an Army uniform when the Drill Sergeants were getting the men’s attention… and at just the right time, a body seemed to be thrown off the roof. (A Drill Sgt. and a mannequin trick to get the men’s attention). He doubted that kind of stuff would ever play out again!

In AIT, Sam learned all about the TOW missile system for the nine week training cycle. Due to budgetary restraints, no missiles were fired. Graduation was uneventful and he returned to Nebraska.

Sam’s educational choice was for the University of Wyoming. He transferred to the Wyoming Guard as well. Drills there were with Artillery units. Sam was assigned to the motor pool to perform maintenance on vehicles and equipment. Maintenance was not something Sam was good at. He asked the personnel people if there was another field and rather soon, he was a dump truck driver. Sam worked hard at his new specialty but every other drill he was helping the food service personnel prepare the meals for the rest of the unit. It meant more hard work.

The Company Commander seemed to have a sense that there was more to Sam House than the Army was getting. The Captain pulled Sam into his office and encouraged him to enroll in Officer Candidate School. As long as there was no kitchen work involved, Sam was in!

For a full year of drills and an annual training segment, Sam did what was required to get through the program. This class was not easy. There were twenty-three soldiers starting it and eight finished.

He moved through the Company Grade Officer ranks fairly quickly. He completed the assignments and requirements to remain and thrive in the Wyoming Guard.

Sam deployed to Afghanistan as a Major in the Engineer Corps. There they were part of an embedded training team. On getting there, the receiving command told Sam they didn’t need engineers, but they needed a public affairs officer. Here was another opportunity to be flexible!

Sam was re-assigned to the 3rd Marine Corps Division as their public affairs. Since Sam was a National Guardsman, he was able to assist the Marine Colonel in helping him deal with the Guard soldiers and the Afghan counterparts as well.

Sam’s work with the Afghanistan locals required the use of an interpreter. As a child, the interpreter had been walking with his father when the father stepped on a land mine. The explosion killed his father and blew off one of the interpreters legs. Through hard work and a smart mother, the injured son found a place he could learn the English language. He got a job working for the US government as an interpreter. He got around on a crutch. Sam and the interpreter became close associates.

When Sam redeployed to the States, he made arrangements for the interpreter to come to our Country. Sam facilitated the man getting fitted for a prosthetic leg, enabling the man to have much improved mobility. Unfortunately, the interpreter wanted to return to Afghanistan. In his native country, the man seemed to go underground. Sam was finally able to contact him only to learn that a taxi-cab had struck him, breaking his other leg!

Back to his service in Afghanistan, Sam was “dual-hatted”, working to liaise with the Afghanistan people as well as handling the public affairs details for the Marine Division. He also worked with getting solutions worked through for the Marines.

On one occasion Sam was a part of a convoy that was aimed at getting Chaplains out to the men. Chaplains don’t carry weapons. Other personnel in the area did not carry weapons either. Sam was soon the M-2 (50 cal) gunner in the turret of a HMMV.

Sam returned to the Wyoming Military Department where he had worked previously. Unfortunately the work got convoluted with personnel issues. He switched positions and became the public affairs officer for the Military Department. In time he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. As it turned out, Sam refused to join the “good old boys” network in the Command.

He made one more significant deployment and deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He was the Deputy Director for Public Affairs for the Detention Facility and worked at Camp Justice. He served there for nine months. It was an excellent way to end his career.

Lieutenant Colonel Samuel House, what a fine length of work you gave to your Country! Thank you for your service!