About the Author
Bobby Briscoe grew up in a small Texas location near Greenville, Texas. In his youth, he helped to support his family by working in the cotton fields and doing manual labor, as he had lost his father when Bobby was only nine years old.
However, the spirit and desire to make something better in life — which still burns in Bobby's heart today — took him to his first enlistment into the United States Army in the early 1960's.
Having served in Europe during the Cold War (especially during the Berlin Crisis), Bobby and his young bride were relocated to Hawaii, where Bobby was assigned as a squad leader in the reactivation of the 11th LIB (Light Infantry Brigade) at the Schofield Barracks.
Taking what were classified as "misfits" that no other Army organization wanted, Bobby Briscoe did his duty. He trained these men; then he went to Vietnam with them. And there, he found out how fierce a fighting force they became as they fought the North Vietnamese Army and the VietCong during the Vietnam War's hottest years–from 1967 to 1968. Bobby served in the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal) as an infantry squad leader — with MOS (military occupational specialty) of 11B40 (Light Weapons Infantry).
Wounded numerous times in situations that anyone would find incredible as to how he survived, Bobby Briscoe was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star for valor. Also awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Purple Heart (at least three times), he came back from Vietnam as a forgotten hero–one of over many thousands of returning combat infantrymen that were rejected by an ungrateful American public.
Bobby spent over two decades in the US Army. His experiences took him to many sites and locations in the US and abroad–from Fort Rucker to Fort Riley to Fort Jackson and to Germany, where he pulled several tours. Bobby retired after 20 years in the U.S. Army.
Bobby also had a successful career in the Automotive Industry, where he was a sales manager for several big car makers. However, now retired, Bobby looks forward to enjoying time with his five children and his grandchildren. He also speaks at different events that involve children and youngsters, as he tries to incent them to reach farther and become successful — rather than take the tempted paths which may lead to dropping out of school, or even to crime.
Bobby feels that, if he has a "gift" from the Almighty, then it was his compassion for the youth and the children.
Bobby is currently the Commander of the new chapter formed in Austin, Texas, the H21 Southern Branch of the Combat Infantrymen's Association. With emphasis on community service and programs, Bobby is determined to create a dynamic organization that will support the returning Combat Infantrymen from the conflicts in the Middle East with outreach and communication services. Working closely with other Veteran organizations–especially with the support of leaders like Olie Pope, the Director of the Travis County Veterans Service Office– Bobby intends to deliver a "giving" chapter to the hands of the next Commander, so that these Combat Infantrymen will continue to be giving, caring, sharing and supportive of those troops who have earned the CIB (Combat Infantryman's Badge) and especially to those who gave "their last full measure of devotion."
Most recently, Bobby has had several television interviews from his leadership at the services for Memorial Day in Austin, as well as the recent re-dedication of the Vietnam Veterans memorial in Downtown Austin (a monument given to the city by the East Austin Lions Club to honor those more than 58,000 fallen soldiers who lost their lives in the Vietnam War).
Bobby's spirit of giving continues, as half the proceeds from the sales of the book, Jungle Warriors, will go to the community and outreach program to help and assist the Combat Infantrymen and their families who are trying to succeed in their re-adjustment back to civilian life.
