Michael McGarvey:
CLASS OF 1979
Salesianum High SchoolClass of 1979
Wilmington, DE
St. Robert Elementary SchoolClass of 1975
Chester, PA
Michael's Story
As with most of you I have taken paths down the road of life for which there was no crystal ball. After St Roberts I went to Salesianum High School. During this time I works as a cook at Perkins restaurant in Aston. I also was deep into being a volunteer firefighter for Hanley Hose FD, Felton Hose and Chemical FD and Brookhaven FD all in PA. I managed to survive the Wade Chemical Dump Fire which started the US super cleanup fund mandate. After Salesianum I entered the U.S. Army in June of 1979 off the street through Basic training, AIT Advanced Individual Training as a radio operator then to Jump School in OCT 1979. My first ride in an Airplane and I jumped out of it LOL. From Jump School I went to the Special Forces Qualification Course which began in Nov 1979 through Jun 1980. I was finally awarded my Green Beret that summer. Ordered to 5th Special Forces Group for my time in Signal company then to Charlie Company 2nd BN 5th SFG(A) ODA 563. It was a time of learning for me I was surrounded by the bravest men in the world most of whom survived multiple tours in Vietnam and were excellent teachers. You see the SFQC was a start point but there was so much more to learn. My Friend Rich Schad wrote a book about that time called "A Boy Among Titians¿, this book describes what it was ...Expand for more
like going through the Special Forces Qualification Course as an 18 year old. It is really funny to me as I can relate to the experiences quite well. in Dec 1981 I was ordered to Bad Tolz Germany where I took up a position as the radio operator on ODA 7 later ODA 121 for 1st Battalion 10th Special Forces Group Airborne(SFGA). Many fond memories of this time in my life. It was my first time overseas and I was arrested for black marketeering within two hours of arrival. You see I asked for my ration card as fast as possible then ran to the PX as I'd been out of cigarettes since my arrival. while in the PX this American kid asked me to get him a carton for his father I did, the MPs had been watching him on the store cameras for a while we were both arrested. I can imagine how the team felt (How do you like me so far) LOL. Anyway I was released a not guilty but they busted that kid. I learned to ski in the Alps on the Bawneck near Lenggries, Mittenwald and other locations. It was a time for growing I worked part time as a bouncer at the club and later a bartender (tips were very good). Went on a vacation from Germany to Glasgow Scotland, was a great time stayed with some locals I met during various training events. It was great seeing life from their perspective. ...More to follow
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