That's great Hairy,
Definitely a better duty station than Viet Nam. Had to wait several years after discharge to make my way there. Finally got back to Asia in 1978 starting in Japan. Spent about four of the following five-and-a-half years living in Taipei and Panchiao. It was a great place to earn a little money for travel around East and South-east Asia by tutoring English.
The service medal you received from the Republic of China shows the ongoing appreciation they had for our continued support of their desire for freedom. I was there in late 1978 when that support was yanked. The US had announced recognithion of the Beijing regime as the ligitimate government of China. The tension was undeniable. Many of my students and freinds were hurt and angry at the time but a few weeks later life as an American in Taiwan was back to normal. I hope we never lose our bond with the Chinese people.
Russell
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