Was it ever affirmed that he was a Veteran? There are many people who claim to be a veteran but aren’t. Some even claim to be a combat veteran when about one in seven actually see combat but served in support units. I speak here of “ground pounders” - Army and Marines.
Brannan volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1968.
He excelled in basic training and, in Officer
Candidate School, developed occupational specialties
as a parachutist and trained as a Forward Observer 3
in the artillery division of an airborne unit. RX127 at
673–756. In 1970, Brannan was stationed in Chu
Lai, Vietnam as a First Lieutenant. Id. at 722, 748.
Within days of his arrival, Brannan’s unit was
engaged in intense combat. RX130 at 1642. From
June 1970 to December 1970, Brannan was
responsible for “controlling and adjusting artillery
fire in close support of an infantry company under
combat conditions in a counter-insurgency
environment.” RX127 at 749. During the second half
of 1970 and the first few months of 1971, Brannan
was in the field for all but seven days. Id. at 761.
During that time, Brannan served with soldiers who
confirmed in the state habeas proceeding that their
platoon saw extensive combat and suffering, and
explained Brannan’s leadership role. Id. at 635–56;
RX152 at 8300, 8306; RX124 at 205, 213.
Brannan’s fellow soldiers, who never testified at Brannan volunteered for the U.S. Army in 1968.
He excelled in basic training and, in Officer
Candidate School, developed occupational specialties
as a parachutist and trained as a Forward Observer 3
in the artillery division of an airborne unit. RX127 at
673–756. In 1970, Brannan was stationed in Chu
Lai, Vietnam as a First Lieutenant. Id. at 722, 748.
Within days of his arrival, Brannan’s unit was
engaged in intense combat. RX130 at 1642. From
June 1970 to December 1970, Brannan was
responsible for “controlling and adjusting artillery
fire in close support of an infantry company under
combat conditions in a counter-insurgency
environment.” RX127 at 749. During the second half
of 1970 and the first few months of 1971, Brannan
was in the field for all but seven days. Id. at 761.
During that time, Brannan served with soldiers who
confirmed in the state habeas proceeding that their
platoon saw extensive combat and suffering, and
explained Brannan’s leadership role. Id. at 635–56;
RX152 at 8300, 8306; RX124 at 205, 213.
Brannan’s fellow soldiers, who never testified at and remained plagued with guilt over these deaths
decades later. RX152 at 8265; RX125 at 365. One of
Brannan’s immediate commanding officers died when
he stepped on an explosive device. RX127 at 641–42,
813, 832, 825; RX124 at 206. Upon hearing the
explosion, Brannan rushed his team to the location
and immediately “assumed command of the
company.” RX127 at 642, 749. Subsequently, he was
praised: “On two separate occasions LT Brannan
unhesitatingly assumed command of the company
when it had lost its company commander. LT
Brannan has done an outstanding job in a combat
environment.” Id. at 749–50. He received two Army
Commendation Medals and a Bronze Star, one of the
nation’s highest awards for meritorious service in
combat. RX28 at 1330–31; RX34 at 2712–17.
At the end of 1970, Brannan was transferred
from his Forward Observer position to the position of
Executive Officer. RX127 at 727. In mid-1971, this
tour of duty in Vietnam ended, and he returned
home. Id. at 738, 767.
B.