3476 - Vietnam: One MAN'S EXPERIENCE (Larry Saul)
Course Description
Instructor: Larry Saul
As a young, non-commissioned officer in 1970, then 19-year old US Army Sergeant Larry Saul served a combat tour in Vietnam. Fifty years later he returned to Vietnam. The purpose of the journey was to see the modern Vietnam, and, also, to rediscover himself. This lecture will look at the history, culture, and geography of Vietnam, from the late 19th century up to 1975. Larry will use his unit's mission and their experiences to present a snapshot of US involvement...then, fast forward to late 2018 and how Vietnam has progressed. He has made two subsequent trips, seeking something.
Bio: COL (Retired) Lawrence (Larry) Saul served more than 34 years in the US Army. Following enlisted service, then-Sergeant Saul was commissioned into the Field Artillery from Officer Candidate School (OCS). For the next 30 years he served in a variety of positions, around the world, including three tours with the British Army, two additional tours in Europe, twice in Alaska and elsewhere in the USA. In his final assignment he was as the Senior US Army Liaison Officer to the British Army. His last day on active duty was 1 September 2008. He was one of the last 10 Vietnam War veterans still serving when he retired. Since retirement he worked as a consultant to the British Army in the field of Knowledge Management, then, he helped with the reorganization of the Armed Forces of the nations of Azerbaijan, Bulgaria and Romania. He was a Senior Lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey California and then Vice President at the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, California. COL Saul is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, The Ancient and Honorable Order of Saint Barbara, the Order of Saint Michael, and the Order of Saint Maurice. He was inducted into the US Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame. His highest military decoration is the Distinguished Service Medal. In retirement, he lectures on Military History and leads historical tours to the European battlefields including WW I, and, D-Day and the Battles of that followed. He has a Bachelor in History from Georgia State University as well as two Masters degrees.