Author:  Fred Steen

Books: "Team Shaka”

"Black Knight Alfa"

"Bluesman"

Interviewer: W. H. McDonald – President of the MWSA

W. H. "Bill" McDonald:  Author and Vietnam veteran Fred Steen now lives in Germany with his wife Heidi, after retiring from 30 years in the Army. His service in Vietnam consisted of three tours of duty and he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal and several other awards. He has written several novels including “Bluesman,” “Team Shaka” and “Black Knight Alfa."

Q: Most of your books are some how related to the adventures of those units that you have been associated with in combat, would that be a true statement? How about “Black Knight Alfa” – which you call “the most feared infantry company."

Yes, that would be a true statement. I am proud beyond words to say that I was the first sergeant of the Infantry rifle company code named “Black Knight Alfa.” I was in the bush with my troops all of the time. We lived and died TOGETHER.

Q: How much fact and fiction is there in most of your stories as far as the plot and the action are concerned?

The stories about Black Knight Alfa and Team Shaka are true. We did blow up a truck load of drugs out of main-land China. General Giap did plan to send all of that poison to our American troops. We did take most of that village out. We did knock out that underground instillation and out run half of the NVA troop in that area. We did take a CIA agent in with us AND we brought him out (Safely). We did take or steal Charlie’s chow hell we even took his cooking pots along with the hot chow.

Q: Why not write the historic times these units had through non-fiction? Was there something preventing you from going that route in the telling of the stories?

YES. I’m sorry to say, I’m not able to claim that it all was “Non-fiction.” I have no desire to open up old wounds. However, I do have a desire to tell the world that the American soldiers actually FIGHTING the war in Vietnam were the best combat soldiers in the entire world. That we did not lose that damn war and North Vietnam with all of their back shooting bastards helping them sure as hell did not “Win” it.

Q: How long does it take you to write your novels? Are the ideas for the stories all based on some event that you knew about or was a part of?

The length of time it takes me to write a story depends upon a lot of things, so I cannot accurately state how long it took me to tell about Team Shaka. Most of my work is based upon the times and events which have occurred in my life. I have be shot, blown up, stabbed and had to run like hell for what life I have left. I was born a Slave in the Mississippi Delta. I have visited the “Forbidden City.” I have ate lunch with “His Imperial Majesty the conquering Lion of Jude” aka Emperor Haile Selassie. And I did see and hear the “Lady in White” singing Silver Dagger.

Q: You spent 30 years in the Army during a time when most baby boomers wanted nothing at all to do with the military and even those that did do their duty, only managed two to three years and got out. Was it love for the job, your country or some idea of adventure that kept you around long enough to make it your life career?

I love the United States Army today, tomorrow, and forever. Soldiering was not a job, it was a way of life. And yes, I love my country. If I could go to Iraq as an American Soldier, I would go today. I am proud of my being an American Soldier. Yes it was an adventure of belonging to a proud family, of belonging to a brotherhood that is everlasting. Being a Soldier was my life.

Q: During your time in the Army, where were you stationed? What kind of action did you see in Vietnam or else where?

I was stationed at Forts Leonard wood- Sill- Benning- Jackson- Huachuca- Dix-and Belvoir to name those posts that come quickly to mind. There were times in which I was under fire in a lot of places of which I’m not at liberty to speak of. I can say that in the Nam I was a Lurp patrol leader, a rifle platoon leader and a first sergeant in combat in Vietnam.

Q: Why do you still live over seas in Germany? How long have you been out of the country since you first went into the service through now? Do you find that being an American in Europe as any kind of problem?

I live in Germany because my wife, Heidi (of 46 years), is German and we have our own home here. I have more years living outside the USA than I have living inside my country. No, I don’t have any problems being an American living in Europe.

Q: Did you have any PTSD concerns when you finished your three tours in Nam? And the question begs to be answered—why three tours? One has to assume that you volunteered for at least one of those tours.

Yes, I volunteered for the first and the second tour. Due to the pressing drug and racial situations in Vietnam at that time. The Secretary of the Army and General James directed that I go back on the third and last tour. I was the Race Relations NCO for Long Binh Post, Bien Hoa, New Port, and into Saigon. I would like to think that our being there was of some help to that situation.

Q: Have you been back to Vietnam since the war was over to visit or have you thought about doing so?

Before the Vietnam war I had a great number of “Brother soldiers –in- arms.” After the Vietnam war I know of only two (2) of my old brothers still alive to pop a top with me. Those of us already on the other side of the great valley have their names engraved on the granite wall. Yes, I’ve thought of going back but I don’t know if I could keep from crying. After all I was a Grunt. And no, we didn’t smoke pot through the barrel of our shotguns. Or, shoot at each other, so there.

Q: Do you have any new novels on the computer or in your mind still left to create and publish for us? Are you looking at writing something outside of the military genre or do you feel like this is a good fit for you?

To be right on down front. I’ve written so many books that I’ve lost track of how many. It is not my desire to be known as one who writes only about the military genre. In Black Knight Alfa and Team Shaka I wanted to tell the world that the American combat soldiers who fought the war in Vietnam were just as great as those who fought the wars in Europe and Korea. We were not drug heads killing each other. And we sure as hell were better soldiers than the North Vietnamese Army, the Viet Cong, the Russians, the Chinese and all of those other bastards who came to the Nam sneaking to kill us.

Q: What was your childhood like growing up? How were you in high school? What was your relationship like with your parents?

My ‘childhood’ growing up black in Mississippi was one of pain and sorrow of which I’ve written three books about the experience. I did not attend high school. I made it only to the forth grade, before the real world put me to work just trying to survive.

My “Parents” consisted only of my mother. I did not know my ‘father.’ My mother was “Everything” to me and I’m still lost without her.

Q: When you were in Vietnam during the war did you think that you would be writing novels about that experience? Did you keep any notes or a diary of your time there as notes to use for your books or was all this from your memories?

No I did not think of writing books. I did not keep written notes or a diary. It’s all recorded in my soul. I remember the troopers that I lost and I remember the troopers that I managed to hold on to. Because I love and respect each one of them.

Q: You received a Purple Heart, can you tell us about that situation and what happened?

Charlie and I had a shoot-out, he lost and I won.

Q: Do you have any advice for those writers who wish to write a novel about their war experiences?

I’m going to crawdad on that one. The reason being that my books did not sell. And so I’m not in a position to be handing out advice.

Q: Is there anything major that you did in your life that you might have done differently now in hind sight? How about your tours of duty in Nam—would you do that again?

Right now, looking back, there are some things that I wish I had the opportunity to change. However those things are of a personal nature. Besides, I’m stuck with them as they are. Yes, I would do it again if I could serve with the same soldiers that I served with before. If I could serve again as a grunt with the men of the First Air Cavalry Division.

Q: Have you learned any lessons or picked up some hard learned wisdom over the years that you might like to share with others?

Never underestimate the power of your enemies. Always do the unexpected. And learn to think like your enemy. If anyone is going to die for his country make sure your enemy is the first to go. Forget the rules and fight to win.

Q: How did you meet and marry Heidi, your wife? Were you still in the Army? Do you have any children or grandchildren?

Heidi and I met in Baumholder, Germany, in 1959. We were married there in 1960. Yes I was in the Army and she working for the army. We have three children and seven grandchildren.

Q: Did you wish to tell us something about yourself that you feel might be of interest?

Bill, I’m just a poor boy a long ways from home. There’s really nothing interesting about old Fred Steen unless you wonder when I say:

"Now don’t you worry yourself none, cause this old mountain ain’t sinking in.
That’s only my hammer sucking wind."

Bill: Thanks for sharing with us Fred and for answering our questions. Best of luck to you and Heidi.

Thank you Bill, for taking the time to listen to me.

God Bless America!