I was born in Chicago, Dec. 1948. The first home that I remember was my Uncle Frank’s basement. Before that, my family lived on a bench in Humboldt Park in Chicago. From the basement, we moved to a Housing Project on the southwest side of Chicago. I went to high school in the suburbs. We moved on an average of once per year from the time I was nine until I went to college in Wisconsin in 1968. I couldn’t relate to the hippies and draft dodgers, so I loaned (translates into gave) my father the money I saved for the next semester and bummed a ride to El Paso to see the world before my inevitable draft notice showed up.

I was in Delta 3 1 for Boot Camp at Ft Polk, then on to Tigerland a few miles away where I received Advanced Infantry Training with Alpha 1 5.I was infantry all the way. I didn’t go to jump school but was proud to be sent up to Northern I Corps in Thua Thien Province with the 101st Airborne Nov. ’69-Nov. ’70. I did SERTS at Camp Evans in Dec 1970 before being assigned to B-Company 1st Platoon of the 1st 327th Infantry Brigade. We operated out of Camp Eagle, but only saw that place about three times during my tour. I served as a Pointman almost my entire tour, many times walking it without rotation and a few times at night. I made it home in one piece, much to my happy surprise. My awards incude the usual “I was there” awards. I’m most proud of my Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and Good Conduct Medal. I’m not really sure how I retained that last one. The highest rank that I attained was Specialist 4th Class. I made rank one year to the day of my entry. I lost that at least once, but regained it after 30 days.

I spent 99% of my working life doing roofing or carpentry, being a journeyman in both trades. In my adult life, I’ve lived in Houston, Conroe, and El Paso, Texas; Also Phoenix, Glendale, Payson, Apache Junction and Wittman, Arizona; Also Wheeling, Fox Lake, Antioch, Ingleside and Spring Grove, Illinois; Also Racine, Kenosha, Trevor, and Salem, Wisconsin; Also Dover, Tennessee. I’m currently residing in Apache Junction, Arizona for the second time. I have lived in many of those places more than once and I am sure that I have left out some places. I’ve lived in a tent, a few empty houses under construction, and slept on the floor or couch of friends and family.

I finally figured out that it was PTSD kicking my butt all those years. I turned my life over to Christ in 1992 and was sorely tested for several years so The Lord could make sure that I was serious about my Christianity. Life is better for me now than it has ever been. I have two children, four step children, and fifteen collective grandchildren as of March 2012. I have a good wife who’s been with me since Feb of 2005 and must love me ’cause we’ve been married over just over six years and she hasn’t left me. (Some women have no taste in men.) I think she feels sorry for me unless she is a masochist. LOL The Bible would describe her as a “Wife of noble character”. We have four dogs, two lizards, and two snakes. OK, she has two dogs. All the rest of the critters are mine.

I’m a writer now, horror, police action, and military stories. Two of my books, “Mother Warned You” and “Toll of War/Vietnam” were published in 2004. “Mother Warned You” was republished in 2005 and again in April 2011. My novel, “Quiet Neighbors” was published in 2011 also. I’d like to publish “Brief Scares” , a collection of short horror stories soon. I’m hoping to have movies made from the three novelettes in “Mother Warned You”. Erick W. Miller B-Co 1st Plt 1st 327th Infantry Vietnam Service 30 Nov 1969 thru 9 Nov 1970Ft Polk 26 Jun 69 thru mid Oct ’69.Ft Lewis twice in transit to Vietnam. ETS from Ft Benning 25 Jun 1971The Lord is My Shepherd! http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000346990/TOLL-OF-WARVIETNAM.aspxhttp://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=340167http://www.authorhouse.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=343036http://www.327infantry.org/first/erick_miller