Colonel Dennis R. Oechsner was commissioned an Armor officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School Class 5-67, 3 February 1967. His first assignment was as a Communications Officer, Headquarters 5th Battalion, 33rd Armor, Fort Knox, Kentucky. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Fixed Wing Aviator, 219th Reconnaissance Airplane Company, 1st Aviation Brigade, Kontum, Vietnam; Fixed Wing Aviator, Command Aviation Section, 3rd Armored Division, Friedberg, Germany; Commander, C Company, 503rd Supply and Transportation Battalion, 3rd Armor Division Airfield, Friedberg, Germany; Adjutant 1st Battalion, 32nd Armor, 3rd Armor Division, Friedberg, Germany; Platoon Leader Aero-Rifle Platoon, D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; Executive Officer, D Troop, 3rd Squadron, 1st Calvary Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; Assistant S3, 32nd Separate Infantry Brigade (Mechanized), Wisconsin Army National Guard, Milwaukee, WI; Section Leader, D Company (Attack) 47th Aviation Battalion, Wisconsin Army National Guard, Madison, Wisconsin; Operations Officer, D Company (Attack), 47th Aviation Battalion Wisconsin Army National Guard, Madison, Wisconsin; Executive Officer, 2nd Battalion 339th Regiment, 84th Division (Training), Madison, Wisconsin; Operations Officer (S3), Headquarters 1st Brigade, 84th Division (Training), Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Commander, 3rd Battalion 339th Regiment, 84th Division (Training), Pewaukee, Wisconsin; Assistant Chief of Staff G3, Headquarters 84th Division (Training), Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Commander, 4th Brigade (Armor OSUT), 84th Division (Training), Milwaukee, Wisconsin. | Colonel Oechsner's military awards and decorations include: the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal w/ “V” device and 19 Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Commendation Medal w/ “V” device and four Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Achievement Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal w/ 2 Oak Leaf Clusters; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal w/ Silver Service Star; Armed Forces Reserves with Palm; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Master Army Aviator Badge. | Colonel Oechsner retired from military service in 1995 and from the business community in 2008.