WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wichita native Darryl Endsley still smiles when he talks about his three years as a U.S. Army combat engineer.

“I loved it. I really loved it. I thought I was top dog,” Endsley said.

He originally tried to enlist in the Navy, but a medical test kept him out.

“I tried the Navy, but they said I was color blind. So after that I went to the Army, and they said, ‘welcome,’” he laughed.

From 1958 to 1961, Endsley could be found riding one of the Army’s Caterpillar bulldozers. He said the work gave him a sense of purpose.

“Just that certain feeling that you had that you’re doing something good,” he said.

After learning to operate heavy equipment at Fort Hood, Texas, Endsley helped build bridges and firing ranges for infantry training. But he says the highlight came wh

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