84th Engineer Battalion (Construction)
Association Viet Nam

CONGRADULATIONS
CSM V. WAYNE CASTEEL

THE LAST KNOWN VIETNAM ERA MEMBER OF THE 84TH EBC TO BE ON ACTIVE DUTY



    On August 28, 2001 CSM V. Wayne Casteel ended a 32 year career spanning four separate Wars/Conflicts. The 84th Engineer Battalion (Construction) is proud to be among one of the first units in that career. It is beleived the CSM Casteel is the last Vietnam era member of the 84th EBC to leave active duty. CSM Casteels retirement brings with it the close of another chapter in the history of the 84th Engineer Battalion (Vietman).

CSM V. WAYNE CASTEEL
COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR
USAOTC

    CSM Casteel was born in Santa Paula, California. He entered the Army in 1970 and completed basic training at Fort Lewis, WA and advanced individual training, followed by the NCO Candidate Course, at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

     CSM Casteel's military education includes 4th Infantry Division NCO Academy (Honor Graduate); NCO Candidate Course; Advanced NCO Course; Engineer Officer Basic Course; U.S. Army First Sergeant Course; and he is a graduate of Class 31 U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. CSM Casteel also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Excelsior College, Albany NY.

    During his 30 years of service, he has served in every enlisted leadership position from squad leader to division command sergeant major.

     His assignments include one combat tour in the Republic of Vietnam, from 1971-1972 with the 18th and 20th Engineer Brigades, and he has been a member of the Engineer Regiment for over three decades.

    CSM Casteel's other assignments include: 52nd Engineer Combat Battalion, Fort Carson, CO; U.S. Army Detachment, LANDSOUTHEAST, Izmir, Turkey; 180th Engineer Company, Camp Edwards, MA; 548th Engineer Combat Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade (Airborne) Fort. Bragg, NC; 84th Engineer Combat Battalion, Schofield Barracks, HI; 44th Engineer Combat Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Korea; 62nd Engineer Combat Battalion, Fort Hood, TX; the Engineer Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX; and HQ 4th Infantry Division.

    CSM Casteel was assigned as the Command Sergeant Major of the Test and Experimentation Command in September 1998 and significantly contributed to the redesignation of TEXCOM to USAOTC in October 1999.

CSM Casteel's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (two oak leaf clusters); the Bronze Star Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (with four oak leaf clusters); Army Commendation Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Service Medal (with bronze star); National Defense Service Medal (with bronze star); Republic of Vietnam Service Medal (with three bronze stars); NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with numeral 4); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (with numeral 4); Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with Palm); and the Army Superior Unit Award (with oak leaf cluster).

CSM Casteel is married to the former Eileen Theune of Sheboygan Falls, WI, and they reside in Harker Heights, TX.

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