Alex graduated for Clearfield High School in June of 1965 and enlisted in the US Army two months later. He went to Basic Training in Ft. Polk, Louisiana and then Combat Medic Training at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas. He trained as Neuropsychiatric specialist and Brooke Army Medical Center Sand Antonio Texas. Alex received on the job training at Letterman Army Medical Center in San Francisco, California, followed by a 3 year station at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. in the Psych Department, NCOIC.
Alex took a 14 year break in service and then re-enlisted into the Utah National Guard 144th Evacuation Hospital where he worked through the ranks from Spec. 5 to Spec. 6, converted to Staff Sergeant.
During his service in the National Guard, Alex was deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield, and remained there through Desert Storm and Desert Calm. As Chief Wardmaster, he was tasked with establishing a 400 bed hospital in 14 days, and was able to achieve it in 12 days!
Alex returned home in 1991 where he attended another Academy and was promoted to First Sergeant. Due to Reduction of Forces, he was transferred to the 625th Military Police as First Sergeant and went TDY to the Panama Canal to conduct a law and order mission.
He retired from the Utah National Guard in September 1999 and has since been involved with the American Legion for the past 12 years and held many leadership positions including 2nd Vice Commander, 1st Vice Commander, and Post Commander for Post 132 for 2 years. He was the 2nd Vice Commander, 1st Vice Commander and District Commander for 2 years for District 8. Alex is currently the Department of Utah Commander for the American Legion.
He is also a life member with the VFW, and has been involved with the Knights of Columbus and The Boy Scouts of America.
We honor you, Alex Aerts.
