This is the first article in a weekly series will share the experiences of Jim Slade of Lehi, who served as a soldier during the Vietnam War. It was not Jim Slade’s choice to serve in that war but when he was asked, he answered the call. A loyal American who has served admirably and who loves his country, Slade tells his children and grandchildren, “Freedom is not free!”

Early life for Jim Slade was not easy. When he was but a child, his biological mother was trying to take care of upwards of ten kids. She and the kids were found by police hitch-hiking across the country in the middle of a snow storm. The kids were not dressed for winter, had no place to get out of the storm and were hungry.

When the police saw them stranded by the side of the road they took immediate action. They were taken in, fed and given a warm place to sleep and stay. Later, the kids were taken away from their mother. It was obvious she could not care for all of them.

Jim spent some time in an orphanage but was eventually adopted by a loving LDS family in southern Colorado. (Miraculously, as an adult, Jim was able to make connections with his biological mother and another sibling and they became good friends.) He grew up in the LDS faith and when he was old enough, was called on a mission to England.

During the time he was on his mission, America was also involved in a very controversial war in Vietnam. The Armed Forces were drafting young American men to serve “over there.” As a missionary, Jim had a temporary draft deferment, but as soon as his mission was over, Uncle Sam wanted him and was going to take him whether he wanted it or not.

He was soon drafted into the Army and within a year, found himself in Vietnam serving in combat as an Army Ranger.

Shortly after his arrival in Vietnam, he was transferred to the Rangers with a mission primarily to conduct “Recon” (reconnaissance) probes into enemy territory. The purpose of these probes was to determine the strength, weapons and all information about the enemy that they could.

During the Vietnam War, North Vietnam, China, Laos and Cambodia were governed by brutal and repressive Communist governments that joined forces to fight against the Americans. These governments provided the Viet Cong with soldiers and supplies which were brought into Vietnam over roads and trails.

One such trail was the infamous, “Ho Chi Minh Trail” which was actually a network of roads and trails. These roads and trails ferried equipment and supplies from North Vietnam and China to points south through Cambodia and then east over the mountains into South Vietnam. China provided many of the weapons and men used against the Americans in the war.

Jim was attached to the 173 Airborne Brigade. As a Ranger, he was part of an elite fighting group that was often given the most dangerous assignments. Jim and his small team of usually five men were frequently ordered to get on a helicopter, fly into the jungles of Vietnam and report back about enemy strength and location.

He served on 42 recon missions, some lasting two or three days or even longer. During 36 of these dangerous missions he and his men engaged in firefights with the enemy. Due to his greater combat experience, he was often sought out as a leader and as an expert on risky night missions.

Check back next Saturday as Slade shares one of his experiences during his time in Vietnam.