Staff Sergeant Thomas R. Presley    🇺🇸   A Soldier's Soldier
Soldiers Medal for heroism, two Purple Hearts, and the Bronze Star medal for his service in Vietnam.
​He went on to earn three Meritorious Service Medals and four Army Commendation Medals  

​REST IN PEACE     MARCH 9, 2018
Citation:   Soldiers Medal For Heroism 
17 May 1967
Thomas R. Presley, Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2), US Army (Retired), 77, of Moore, SC passed in peace surrounded by family on March 9, 2018 in Spartanburg, SC following a brief illness. Tom was born November 4, 1940 to Fred O. Presley, and Edna K. Wyatt in San Pedro, CA where his father worked for the US Government. Tom grew up in Dalhart, TX and he was proud to call himself a 'Texan'. After graduating from high school in 1959, Tom joined the US Army and his first assignment was as a tanker with Company C, 3d Battalion, 32nd Armor Regiment, 3d Armored Division(SPEARHEAD), in Friedberg, Germany. While stationed in Germany, Tom worked with Elvis Presley and he had many photographs of him and Elvis Presley together. They not only shared the same name, but shared a friendship as well. It was in Germany that he met the love of his life, Ingrid, and they married in 1961. Tom continued his Army career as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division at Ft. Campbell, KY until 1967 when he was sent to Vietnam and was assigned to Company D/16th Armor, 173d Airborne Brigade (Separate). Tom was a highly decorated soldier. He was awarded the Soldiers Medal for heroism, two Purple Hearts, and the Bronze Star medal for his service in Vietnam. He went on to earn three Meritorious Service Medals and four Army Commendation Medals during his Army career. Despite severe injuries, and nearly a year recovering from his combat wounds, Tom continued his Army career as a Special Agent with the US Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) between 1969 and 1980. As a Special Agent, Tom worked deep cover narcotics in Europe targeting foreign nationals who were supplying drugs to US Army personnel. He continued his CID career until his retirement from the Army in 1980. Tom proudly served multiple tours in Germany (Friedberg, Augsburg, Heidelberg, and Mannheim), two tours at Ft. Campbell, KY, the Republic of Vietnam, and at Ft. Bliss, TX. Tom earned a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice after retiring from the US Army. In 1983, Tom and Ingrid moved to Moore, SC and he enjoyed a successful career as the Director of Corporate Security for Calvin Klein. He continued his public service as a South Carolina State Constable. A graveside service was held on March 13, 2018 at Fort Jackson, SC National Cemetery where Tom was buried with military honors. 
from:  Together We Served: https://army.togetherweserved.com
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D14,  SSG Presley's track until 17 May 1967. He was relieved that morning as TC by SFC Lewis. D14 was blown up that afternoon. KIA on the track were several 1/503d infantrymen, Sgt. Gerald, SSG Fuller and Sp 5 Edwards in addition to SFC Lewis.
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Setting up the perimeter outside Bien Hoa
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With Charlie and Josephine