![]() ![]() Helms as platoon sergeant walked behind his pointman, Lyon. His experience was recognized and valued by all. Initially he was a squad leader but soon became the Platoon Sergeant. Because of his wounds Helms was discharged from the Marine Corps so he enlisted in the Army and was eventually assigned to the Alpha’s second platoon in the 5th/46th Battalion. “His platoon sergeant, Helms, was older, about 35 years of age, and had been a career Marine, serving two tours in Vietnam as an infantryman and being wounded on both tours. ![]() I also had a good eye, looking for signs of game.’ At age 12 I started hunting with my father so I had a good feel for the woods. Lyon remembers, ‘I felt comfortable in that role, I was raised in upstate New York and spent a lot of time in the forests. “Lyon’s Platoon Sergeant, Chester ‘Chet’ Helms wanted Lyon to be the pointman, since he had two months experience in the bush and Helms, having had a chance to size Lyon up, liked what he saw. That’s when things started getting ‘interesting’ for Lyon. After two months as a rifleman he saw many of the ‘old guys’ – the experienced soldiers – finishing their tours and rotating home. “PFC William “Bill” Lyon arrived at his unit, the 2nd Platoon of Alpha Company, 5th/46th Infantry Battalion, 198th Light Infantry Brigade, in early August 1970. ![]()
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