Tank Gunner is the pen name of a retired combat cavalry trooper, Senior Parachutist, and Jumpmaster awarded a Combat Infantry Badge and decorated with a Silver Star, three Bronze Stars, one for Valor, and a Purple Heart. He served his nation with pride and honor for more than a quarter century as an enlisted soldier and officer. He answered the call to duty and stood in harm's way during two combat tours in the Republic of Vietnam, first with Troop A, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division and later with Troop D, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. An award-winning author and speaker, Tank wrote and published PROMPTS at age 76; PROMPTS TOO at 77; COOKIE JOHNSON, his Vietnam War historical fiction novel of love and war at 78; PALOMINO, his WWII historical fiction novel about German POWs living and working in a small rural Texas town, at 79; PORKY BAYCANN, his coming-of-age, adolescent friendship, and WWII historical fiction novel, and companion to Palomino, at 80; THE REDEEMER, a pre-WWII historical novel of love, conflict, and redemption, at 81; and REVEREND RIPPLE$ BUILDING FUND, the story of a thief, ex-con, and pretend preacher published at 82; LUCINDA JONES at 83; RIGORS of REVENGE at 84; and PALOMINO DENOUEMENT at 85. He and his wife live with Cody, 100 miles southwest of Palomino.