7
David E. McCracken
Colonel, Army Special Forces (retired)
I was living on a farm in Fayette County, Pennsylvania when
I volunteered to go into the United States Military Academy.
One of the biggest incentives for me to join was that I would
receive a free education in exchange for five years of service
to this country. I didn’t necessarily choose the Army as my
branch of choice, but it more less chose me. At the time I was
enlisting, the Army was the only branch that was offering a
waiver for people who had less than 20/20 vision. And so, the
Army was my only in. My first days are a complete blur for me.
All I remember is that it was completely different than being
“down on the farm” in southwest Pennsylvania.
It was a time that changed my life and put me on a 29-year
path of serving in active military service. I have seen many
wars including the Vietnam Era, The Cold War, Desert Storm
and the Global War on Terrorism.
I had two separate tours in Panama and
I will never forget the first time I arrived
there. We left Fort Bragg in January
and jumped into the Gatun Drop Zone.
It was the hottest heat I had ever experienced,
and we were all wearing long
underwear. Hot is an understatement. I
was a detachment executive and later
became commander in Panama. By my
second tour, I was Company Commander.
It was also during my second tour
that Operation Just Cause occurred. We
were responsible for terminating radio
transmissions from Noriega to his Dignity
Battalions and other miscreants; later
we liberated the 13th Military Zone (the
entire Perlas Archipelago).
One of my company mates were wounded and then later
awarded a Purple Heart. I was awarded the Combat Infantryman
Badge for being in the right place at the wrong time as well.
Traveling parts of the world was another perk for me. I have
been able to see parts of Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia,
and the Middle East.
I finally decided to retire on May 31st, 2003. I was back to work
the next Monday working as a Defense Civil Servant.
After 29 years of active service, I knew I would be a good candidate
for hire as a civil servant, and I was. The early influence and
impact that West Point had on me has continued throughout
my whole life and is still relevant today.
Freedom Is Not Free! My life has been built around defending
this country’s freedom and I would not change a thing. I am
so grateful to have worked with true heroes, incredible professionals
and when I look back at my life, it is full of positive
experiences and memories that I pull from every day.