Elite Bastards

Edward Dvorak voluntarily enlisted on May 1, 1967, for a 3-year tour of active duty in the US Army. After three months in Vietnam, he volunteered for Company F, 51st Infantry, Long Range Patrol, Airborne. Company F was formed from volunteers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and Company E from volunteers of the 101st Airborne Division. The two LRP Companies eventually became the first two Long Range Patrol Companies of the 75th Ranger Regiment when it was activated on 1 February 1969. He remained with Company F LRPs for 19 months and was promoted from a Spec 4 to Staff Sergeant during that time period. He served in every position on a LRP Team, which culminated with his promotion to the team leader (TL) for LRP Team 1-3. Among his many decorations, Dvorak earned the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), Silver Star, Bronze Star with “V” Device, and the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf cluster (2 Purple Hearts). Having served in combat in a “High Speed/Low Drag” LRP Unit, he became bored with his construction job after leaving the military and joined the LA County Sheriff’s Department on January 3, 1973. He served with LASD in multiple units for 31 years and honorably retired at the rank of Detective Lieutenant.