Puxico V.F.W. Veteran Spotlight of the Month - February 2025 - Doug Siler

Doug Siler was drafted into the Army on January 12, 1968 and honorably discharged on January 4, 1970.  Doug did his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.  He received advance infantry training at Fort Polk, LA.  Other training included Non-commissioned officer schooling (Airborne School) at Fort Benning, GA and on the job training as Platoon Sargeant, at Fort Polk, LA.

Doug served in Vietnam from December 1968 through January 1970.  He was assigned to the 173rd Airborne brigade, D Company, 2 BN, 3rd Plt.  His job was squad leader.  He traveled in the A Shou and Ia Drang Central Highlands Valleys in Vietnam looking for the enemy.  In May 1969, he became the Plt. Sgt. after his Platoon Sargeant was wounded.

Doug received the following medals: Combat Infantry Badge - Parachute Wings, 2 Bronze Stars, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, 2 Campaign Stars, Vietnam Service Medal, Parachute Badge, Expert M-14, M-16, M-60, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and Vietnam Civil Action Citation.

Doug entered the US Naval Reserves, Seabees on March 24, 1983 and retired from the US Naval Reserves on September 30, 2003.  During his service in the Navy, he was stationed at Davisville, RI; Twentynine Palms, CA; Fallon, NE; Gulfport, MS; Port Hueneme, CA; Island of Guam and Camp Pendelton, CA.  He came up through the ranks and retired as a Heavy Equipment Operator, Chief Petty Officer.  He retired as 2nd in command of his detachment, which was assigned to NMCB 28 in 

Shreveport, LA.  Doug earned the following Naval Reserve medals: 2 Navy Achievement Medals, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Expert M-16 and Pistol, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Hourglass, and Naval Reserve 

Meritorious Service Medal with three stars.

Doug served as a board member on the Duck Creek Township from 1990-2019.  He has served on the Stoddard County 911 Board since 2012.  He is a member of Berrong General Baptist Church in Gipsy, MO.  Doug retired after 40 years of service as a Heavy Equipment Operator for Mingo National Wildlife Refuge and also was an Equipment Safety Instructor for Region 3 which covered eight states.

Doug has been married to his wife, Linda, for 45 years.  They raised three children, Greg Wheeling of Columbia, MO; Alicia Siler-Mengelberg of Novato, CA and Monica Siler of Gordonville, MO. They have three grandchildren, Ethan , Estele, and Eva.

Thank you Doug for your service and we appreciate all you have done for the Puxico community.