Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
4:00 | General William F. "Buck" Kernan never intended to join the Army but the GI Bill beckoned and he followed. Once he was in, he was determined to be a Ranger. He was also determined to get to Vietnam before it was all over. He was mentored in his career by both generals and sergeants and he carried forward their lessons.
Keywords : William Buck Kernan 82nd Airborne Division 101st Airborne Division 75th Ranger Regiment 7th Infantry Division US Joint Forces Command GI Bill Sand Hill Fort Benning Tigerland Fort Polk Vietnam Ranger School 2nd Ranger Battalion Wayne Downing Leon Guerrero
General William F. "Buck" Kernan's biggest heroes are the troops and NCO's that helped develop him into an effective leader. He feels privileged to have served with the Rangers. They are still the role models for the rest of the Army and that is why they lead the way.
What should a young man who wants to become a Ranger expect? General William F. "Buck" Kernan knows. They will learn what the Rangers stand for and have accomplished and they will will develop the skills to carry that forward. It is a life you will miss when it's over.
When General William F. "Buck" Kernan was a young officer going into Vietnam, he was hoping to be assigned to the 101st Airborne and he got his wish. Soon he was in command of Tiger Force platoon, a group of hardened specialists who operated in the deep jungle. There was no training that could completely prepare you for that. It was an evolutionary learning experience.
When he was serving outside the Ranger Regiment, General William F. "Buck" Kernan thought mostly about getting back. When he did return, he began planning the operation in Panama that became known as Just Cause. After an unusual jump with the softest landing he ever experienced, he witnessed the courage and good judgment of two young Rangers.
