Vietnam Veteran’s Service Continues with MDDF
By Maj. (MD) Stephen Rice, Maryland Defense Force
A combat veteran from Vietnam continues to give back to his state and nation as a volunteer for the Maryland Defense Force. To this day, Staff Sgt. (MD) Thomas E. Hendricks, Sr. remains dedicated to serving his country.
“I joined the U.S. Army at 17 years old to get away from my foster family that I couldn’t stand to live with anymore,” said Hendricks. “After basic training at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, I was sent to Fort Polk in Louisiana for Advanced Individual Training. Shortly thereafter, in 1968, I was in Vietnam.”
Although trained as an automotive mechanic with a wheeled vehicle mechanic Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), Hendricks was designated an infantryman once he got to Vietnam.
“They needed infantry guys so my MOS was redesignated 11 Bravo, and I served with an infantry unit of the 1st Air Cavalry Division,” he said.
Operating from helicopters, these airmobile infantry soldiers or “skytroopers” traveled far and wide, where they were inserted into enemy territory to directly engage the enemy.
“I was oftentimes the point man on patrols, and I would sometimes have to call in artillery support when we were under fire,” said Hendricks.
Due to his small stature, he was used as a “tunnel rat” whose job was to crawl into very small underground tunnels in search of enemy forces, weapons, or intelligence. This was especially dangerous work. At the end of his tour, while temporarily stationed in Germany, Hendricks re-enlisted.
“They were looking for volunteers to go back to Vietnam, and I felt it was my duty to go back and serve,” said Hendricks.
During his distinguished tenure in the U.S. Army, Pfc. Hendricks earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. He also was awarded two sharpshooter badges and four overseas service bars.
After leaving the U.S. Army after five years of active service, Hendricks worked as a supervisor at two manufacturing plants before starting a contracting business in 1980 that he still operates today. His specialty is home remodeling and repair. In addition to general contracting, Hendricks also has expertise in electrical, masonry, roofing, and finishing work.
“I still felt the need to serve,” said Hendricks. “I saw an advertisement or something for the Maryland Defense Force in 2010 and reached out to then Col. (MD) Brian R. Kelm, who commanded the 121st Engineer Regiment. He told me to come down to the armory and check out the unit to see if I liked it – and I did.”
Assigned to the engineering unit in 2010, Hendricks works primarily with the Installation Status Review (ISR) program. The ISR program is an annual facility inspection program of Maryland Army National Guard infrastructure that supports budgetary and resource allocation decision-making.
“I get to use my decades of construction and maintenance experience to help the Maryland National Guard,” said Hendricks.
MDDF leadership recognizes the years of service and personal dedication Hendricks has shown over his military and civilian career.
“It’s an honor to serve with Staff Sgt. (MD) Thomas Hendricks. He is an American hero and one of only a handful of Vietnam veterans still serving in uniform across the United States,” said Brig. Gen. (MD) Gregory J. Juday, commanding general of the MDDF. “The fact that he is still committed to serving his community after having sacrificed so much as a young man is a testament to his character and love of country.”
The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the state’s uniformed volunteer militia unit, providing competent, supplementary, professional, and technical support and soldiers to the Maryland Military Department and the State of Maryland as needed. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 200 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support, and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information, visit: www.mddf.maryland.gov
