Vietnam – October 2019

OCTOBER 2019 43

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was not unusual for career soldiers to have

two or even three one-year tours in South-

east Asia, but it was rare for any GI to serve

more than six years in South Vietnam—all in

dangerous combat-related assignments. The

jurors also knew that Cornett was decorated

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borne, Ranger and Special Forces duty. They

clearly did not want to issue a punitive dis-

charge that would stain his record.

Nevertheless, it is likely that jury mem-

bers would have been surprised to hear

that a man imprisoned for attempting to

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igible for retraining and restoration to ac-

tive duty. They probably would have been

more surprised to learn that he retired as a

senior NCO.

Cornett’s autobiography, Gone Native: An

NCO’s Story, subtitled “an uncensored, un-

varnished tale of one soldier’s seven years

in Vietnam” was published in 2000. V

Fred L. Borch is a lawyer and retired Army

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historian for the U.S. Army Judge Advocate

General’s Corps. Alan Cornett, as a ser-

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1983. Borch was unable to reach Cornett
      for this article.

The Long Binh stockade,

where Cornett was held during

the trial, housed hundreds of

soldiers accused of crimes.

either an honorable discharge or restoration

to active duty. He stayed in the Army and

served as a medic at Fort Riley’s Irwin Army

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sergeant again.

To reenlist, Cornett had to obtain a waiv-

er from the Department of the Army. Sup-

ported by the chain of command, he got the

waiver and reenlisted for six more years.

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tour in Germany, followed by service at Fort

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diers who set up drop zones for paratroop-

ers and landing zones for helicopters.

He also played on Fort Benning’s football

team, the Doughboys, in contests with other Army installations.

Cornett even worked as an extra in James Garner’s 1984 movie

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with the 10th Special Forces Group in Bad Tölz, Germany, in the

mid-1980s. While in that unit, Cornett was selected for early promo-

tion, ahead of his peers, to master sergeant. Given his record, this

was a surprise to everyone who heard about it.

After completing the First Sergeant’s Academy in Munich, Cor-

nett advanced another step and served with U.S. Army Special Op-

erations Forces, Europe. When Cornett retired, he had more than

20 years of active duty.

Looking back at the trial in Vietnam, it is apparent that the

court-martial members were impressed with Cornett’s Army ser-

vice, despite the serious nature of the fragging and drug charges. It

It’s apparent

that the

court-

martial

members

were

impressed

with

Cornett’s

Army

service.