CAPTAIN EDMOND J. LANDERS, SS, BSM, PH.

U.S. MILITARY SERVICE:

Edmond Landers emigrated to the United States in May 1957, residing at first with his sister, Mary Dewald and her family in Vacaville, Napa County, California. While there, he worked for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company until May 1958, when he was called up to serve two years mandatory National Service in the United States Army. He was inducted at Fort Ord, California where he completed his basic training.

PFC (Private First Class) Edmond Landers (second from the left) and comrades during training, 503 Infantry Combat Team 1960.

Edmond was then assigned to Company 'E', 2nd. Airborne Battle Group, 503 rd. Infantry Combat Team at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. There he completed his basic airborne course and received his paratroopers qualification badge.

Edmond J. Landers (on the right), as a PFC (Private First Class) with fellow paratroopers of Echo Company, 2nd. Airborne Battle Group, 503 Infantry Combat Team; during his term of National Service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 1960.

On completion of his National Service, Edmond enlisted for a further three-year term. From June 1960 to September 1962, he was posted to Okinawa, Japan where he was promoted to Sergeant E5 in 1961. On completion of this 27-month overseas assignment he returned to duty at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Edmond J. Landers became a U.S. Citizen in March 1963.

In April 1963 he was selected as an officer candidate, and attended the U.S. Army Infantry Officer Candidate School (O.C.S.) in Fort Benning, Georgia. Later that year, he graduated with distinction, being placed ninth out of over 150 students. On receiving his commission to the rank of Second Lieutenant, he was assigned to 101st. Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky; where he qualified as a Senior and later as a Master Paratrooper.

O.C.S. student E. J. Landers (left) during training at Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia, 1963.

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