Everyone Remembers Their First…
Everyone remembers their first platoon sergeant. They were an indelible part of transitioning into a unit. In January 1961, my first assignment was as a rifle platoon leader. Everyone remembers their first platoon sergeant. Mine was SFC Philip R. Fink, 34 years old, from Mosheim, TN. He was a combat veteran from the Korean War and was now serving in the 82nd Airborne Division. Except for an elderly mother, he had no family. The Army was his family. In garrison, he was clearly in charge, and in the field, he pushed me out front, where I needed to be. Among the things he taught me were how to take care of soldiers, how to take responsibility, the role of the NCO, the importance of setting the example, and how to build a team. Phil Fink was a one-of-a-kind soldier, and I will never forget him.
When I departed Fort Bragg for Germany in 1963, SFC Fink volunteered for Vietnam, where he served back-to-back tours as an advisor with a Vietnamese Ranger Battalion. Later, as the 1SG of a rifle company in the 101st Airborne Division, 1SG Fink was KIA during an attack on his fire base in Thua Thien Province on August 13, 1968. He was only 42 years old.
2/B/2-504 PIR in 1987, I was blessed with my first platoon sergeant – SFC Angel Serrano. What and Airborne Infantryman! He knew everything about The Division and about training on Fort Bragg. He could ruck march forever and knew how to survive in every type of bad weather. I am forever indebted to CSM(Ret) Serrano and the likes of SSG Finney, SSG Owens (The Big-O), and of course SFC John Lucas. AATW!!
Jim Johnson
SSG Hector Sanchez, 2/B/2/504 PIR. Great American, Model NCO, fantastic mentor!
Robert McCarthy
AATW!!
My First Platoon Sgt Was SFC Dave Mita aka Diamond Dave Cco 2/14 Infantry He Was The Best !
Stephen Dalasass
Hooah, AATW!
Mine was SFC Rae Coughron. 3/C/1-504 in 1976. I arrived with a Ranger tab, mosquito wings, and a NDSM. He had been awarded a DSC, 2 Silver Stars and 2-3 PHs – among many other awards. He took me under his wing to teach me as much as he could. I only wish I could have absorbed more. The best of the best.
Bill David
Bill, thank you for your post. You remind us that part of being a good mentor is humility. It would be too easy for a hardened warrior like SFC Coughron to look past a new LT. But 9 times out of 10, experienced NCOs invest the time and patience to train everyone they are exposed to. AATW!
I remember my first Platoon Sergeant at Ft. Stewart, GA, SFC Juan Padilla. He was promoted to PFC for his actions as a 106RR gunner during the Dominican Republic operations with the 82nd Airborne Division. An Vietnam War Veteran, he told me that his job was to take care of our platoon and to teach me how to become an officer. I’ll never forget him. Airborne, All the Way. RLTW!
Gordon Sumner, Ph.D.
Gordan, thank you for your post. SFC Padilla looks like another hero who served his Nation with honor and humility. RLTW, AATW!
Fink was the senior NCO in the 52 Ranger Bn at the assault/relief of Dong Xoai and SF Lt Charles Q Williams awarded the MOH for his actions. My later counterpart, Nguyen Hiep, acting BatCom, demanded the unit be dropped directly on the camp vice a mile from it. Over the objections of the US leadership, he prevailed and was proven right. Fink was, in essence, the senior US advisor directing both the artillery and tac air but also the assault helos. He dropped in with Hiep and managed the defenses while Hiep worked the extraction. It was an extremely confused situation with major VC attacks at all points of the compass, CIDG personnel and their families fighting for extraction, Rangers responding to Fink with mixed success (language), multiple ARVN units crowding the net and Saigon bombarding Hiep for sitreps and many wounded. Fink was a rock of consistency and calm. In sum, he knew what he was about and went about doing it.
A very worthy man. And a model our NCO corps should emulate. Selfless devotion to the basic grunt tasks combined with an eye to support and nurture his men is a model for all.
Keith Nightingale
Keith, thank you for sharing this about Phil Fink. As my first Plt Sgt, he set my career course in the right direction. He was one of those NCOs who inspired the heart and soul of any infantry unit he served in. I will never forget him and I will always be indebted to him. Your story adds to his legacy as a warfighter! AATW!
As an Infantry Platoon leader, my first Platoon Sgt, James E Martin, taught me, covered for me, and corrected my mistakes before anyone knew of them. He was outstanding. For the rest of my career, I used so much that I learned from him about what good leadership should be.
William Yarrow
Thank you for sharing your post about your Platoon Sergeant, James E Martin. We were both blessed with exceptional NCO leaders. AATW!