Thank You for Your Service, Earl Isabell

ANDERSON, S.C. (WSPA) – Right before Earl Isabell went to high school, his father retired from the Army.

“I had had experience living on a military post, traveling with the military being around many military people,” Isabell told 7NEWS.

He said his dad was a pilot and worked on helicopters.

“I was drawn to that as an opportunity,” Isbabell said. “And I didn’t see myself going to college right away.”

Isabel said he had his sights set on joining the Air Force.

“But there was a six-month wait to get into the Air Force,” said Isabell.

So he joined the Army, where he was assigned to the infantry unit.

“Went to Germany and was in a company called Long Range Patrol,” he explained. “Fifth Corps Long Range Patrol Company, which was a precursor to the Ranger battalions.”

While in Germany, Isabell went to jump school for paratrooper training until it was time to deploy to Vietnam.

“I was assigned to go to the 1-73rd, which is the American infantry unit,” said Isabell.

Plans eventually changed. Instead, Isabell worked with the advisory team with the Vietnamese Airborne Unit.

Isabel said his job was mostly in the field.

“Infantry moves through the jungle all the time looking for the enemy,” he shared. “And when you run into it, you have these firefights.”

Isabel served three separate tours in Vietnam for just under three years.

His time was cut short after a medical emergency.

“I was in a small bunker that we kind of cleaned up there that they had made, the previous unit had made,” Isabell recalled. “And I just walked by the open aperture of the bunker and something blew up.”

Isabell said the blast hit his hand.

“It basically severed one finger, the tip of one finger, and damaged the other two, the bones were sticking out of it,” said Isabell.

Isabell was med-evac out.

He received a Purple Heart and soon after he decided to return to Vietnam for another tour.

“In fact, I considered the last tour by far the most dangerous tour I was on,” Isabell said. “Even though I wasn’t wounded or hurt. But the combat was almost daily and endless at times.”

After Vietnam, Isabell’s journey took him from base to base as a battalion adjutant, to a company commander, and then he retired.

“I settled down here basically in South Carolina, worked, sold insurance, drove a truck for three years,” said Isabell.

His days are now spent with loved ones.

“I’m more family-oriented,” Isabell shared. ” We have 2 sons here, two sons live in Oregon and a daughter in Texas. So, and we have grandkids scattered around too.”

While still making time to enjoy his favorite pastime.

“I’m at that age where golf is my job now,” Isabell said, giggling. “Trying to convince my wife that I have to stay busy on my job.”

Earl Isabell, Thank You for Your Service.

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