James Diamond enlisted in the Army when he turned 17 in 1948. He was sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training, and became a truck driver. He spent some time in Germany, then Fort Belvoir. When his enlistment was up, he was levied because, as he was told, “I didn’t know nobody.” He “never forgot them words.” He was sent to the 17th Field Artillery Battalion in Korea, was promoted quickly, and became a platoon sergeant. He later joined the 1st Infantry Division, was sent to NCO School, and then transferred to the 3rd Infantry Regiment, the Old Guard. After that he was sent to Fort Bragg for further training, and then to the Presidio for language school, and was then deployed to Vietnam for two years as an adviser with the MAAG. As an expert in light infantry and demolitions he taught the Rade Montagnards. He discusses pythons, and Venus fly traps, and a giant praying mantis; dry field rice farming, purple hot peppers, and the Buddhist uprisings. First Sergeant Diamond returned to Vietnam in 1966 with Company A, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade at Camp Frenzell Jones near Long Binh. On this second tour he earned a Distinguished Service Cross for some extraordinary exploits involving explosives near Thu Duc. As it turns out, James Diamond did know somebody.