Wilkes County Veterans History Project: Russell Bert McNiel

Bert McNiel served in the U.S. Army from December 12, 1962 to December 4, 1964. He had volunteered to be drafted. He was assigned to the 75^th Artillery Headquarters Company. The Vietnam Conflict was fully involved.

On his entrance exam, McNiel qualified with his highest score to go to OCS (Officer Candidate School). Due to his family situation with his mother alone and in poor health, he would have chosen a career in the military. McNiel spent his Army career in Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, followed by cryptology training at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana. The remainder of his time was in Germany in different areas.

During his service, McNiel was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Sharpshooter with M1, M14, M60 Machine Gun, and 45. He had a NATO Crypto Top Secret Clearance, which was the highest clearance in the U.S. Army in Europe.

Upon return, McNiel married Madge Phillips on February 12, 1965, and they were together for 58 years. Bert and Madge had three children: David Levi McNiel, Ida Elizabeth McNiel Isaacs, and Jesse Morgan McNiel.