[f50lrrp]

My brother attended OCS at Fort Benning in 1969 and after graduating, he went through Jump School, Ranger School and Pathfinder School. He then attended fixed wing flight school at Fort Stewart.

While in flight school he received a check from the finance center at Fort Benning for back pay and allowances. The check was supposed to be for just over $1,200 but instead it was for over $12,000. (a lot of money in 1969-1970).

My brother sent the check back to the finance center at Fort Benning three times while he was at Fort Stewart only to have it returned with nasty memos included each time.

When he arrived at Phuc Vinh, he again received the over sized check in the mail. Bob (my brother) asked his Company Commander what to do and his C.O. advised him to deposit it into the 10% savings program that the Army offered for troops serving in a combat zone.

It wasn't until my brother was leaving active duty that the Army caught up with the missing $11,000+ that they had over-paid him.

My brther was glad to return the balance that he owed the Army but he kept the interest that this money had earned over the 18 months that he served in RVN. Some things don't change!