Vietnam 2nd battalion
Douglas N. Field
B Company 1966 – 1967
DOUGLAS N. FIELD
B COMPANY 2/327 INFANTRY REGIMENT
101st AIRBORNE DIVISION
BIOGRAPHY
Field enlisted in the Army in October 1965 for an airborne infantry assignment. After completing Jump School, he was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam, arriving in country at the end of April 1966. He was then assigned to B Co. 2/327 Infantry Regiment.
During his first year in Vietnam, Field served in B Co’s 1st Platoon and the Weapons Platoon. He participated in the Dak To and Trung Luong Valley operations in June 1966, in which B Co earned two Presidential Unit Citations within a three week period. At Trung Luong, Field was wounded in action during an assault on an NVA position.
In September 1966 under assault by an overwhelming force of NVA regulars on B Co’s command post, he was wounded again. The enemy attack wiped out the entire command group, including the company commander, XO, First Sergeant and Artillery FO. Field and a few survivors were left to defend the position and care for the severely wounded troops who survived the massive assault.
Later in his first tour he participated in jumps made by the 1st Brigade in Kontum Province, in preparation for what would have been the first combat jump made in Vietnam. The 173rd ended up getting that assignment.
After completing his first tour in Vietnam, Field volunteered for a second tour and served in the 2/327 Regiment until early December 1967. He spent a total of 19 months with the Regiment.
During his two tours in Vietnam he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and V Device, Purple Heart, CIB, Vietnam Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Vietnam Campaign Medal. Unit awards include two Presidential Unit Citations, Valorous Unit Award and Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.
After being discharged from the Army in 1968, Field joined Pan American World Airways and began a 32 year career in the airline industry. He also completed his college education, having attended two years at Rutgers University prior to his military service.
Field spent 22 years at Pan Am, serving in a number of leadership positions of increasing responsibility. He worked for 10 years at JFK Airport in N.Y., Pan Am’s largest airport facility in the system. Starting as a Passenger Service Agent he received a series of promotions that led to his appointment as Passenger Service Manager, where he was responsible for all passenger service functions and a 350 person workforce. He attained that position at age 31, and was one of the youngest people to hold that job in the company.
Later assignments at Pan Am included positions of increasing responsibility in the Sales and Marketing departments. He held District Sales Manager positions in two of the largest sales districts in Pan Am’s system and later Regional Sales Manager in the largest region. His sales teams consistently achieved their revenue targets and received awards for excellence.
He was later promoted to Director of National Account Sales, where he was responsible for Pan Am’s largest revenue producing accounts. He also developed a number of innovative sales programs, which received recognition and were adapted throughout his company.
In 1991 he joined Delta Air Lines at their world headquarters in Atlanta. During the last 10 years Field has held many leadership positions in Sales and Marketing, responsible for program development, national account sales, international sales and industry relations.
He recently won a company award for excellence in his position. He was cited for his “unwavering commitment and dedication to his company and being driven to deliver his personal best, day-in and day-out.” In his award document his management went on to say “Doug is the consummate professional who leads by example and routinely demonstrates his company’s leadership values.”
In addition to his company responsibilities, Field serves on a number of airline industry board of directors and committees. He represents his company at U.S. and international industry meetings. He has been active in the Chamber of Commerce, various civic and political organizations, holding officer level positions in several.
Field is a lifetime member of the 101st Airborne Association and the 101st Vietnam Veterans Association. Field and his wife, Arline, enjoy attending 101st reunions and meeting veterans from all eras. At a recent reunion at Ft. Campbell they had an opportunity to meet current members of the 2/327 Regiment, which was a highlight for Field and his wife.
Field and his wife live in Peachtree City, GA. Their children, Brian and Kellie, both attend the University of Georgia.
