Sam joined the Army in 1968 enrolling in the Warrant Officer Candidate/Flight Training Program. He completed the course in the fall of
1969 as a Chief Warrant Officer. Prior to Vietnam, Sam transitioned into the AH-IG Cobra helicopter and then serve a one year tour of duty in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborn Bridgade stationed II Core, at Quin Yong, Ankhe, and Pleiku. With over 850 combat hours, Sam was awarded several Medals of Valor, the Bronze Star, and the Distinguish Flying Cross, for piloting the AH-1G Cobra into hostile engagements with the enemy, while insuring the protection of US Forces on the ground. In the fall of 1970, Sam returned to Cobra Hall, Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia and spent almost 2 years teaching the Cobra as a CW2 Flight Instructor. Sam was released from active duty in the spring of 1972.