VIETNAM COMBAT VETERAN Sarge did three tours of duty in Vietnam, 1966-'67-'68. His first tour was eleven months in the jungle/hospital with the 101st Airborne Paratroopers as a combat infantryman. During that time he advanced to Squad Leader. Sarge came down with malaria three times, jungle-rot, immersion-foot, two varieties of internal parasites, a shrapnel wound in his leg, exposure to Agent Orange, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder which Sarge says is the "Vietnam Blues". Sarge received the Purple Heart, the Good
Conduct medal, a three tour Vietnam Service Medal, Parachute Jump Wings, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, a Valorous Unit Emblem, a Republic Of Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Palm Unit Citation Badge, and five Over-Seas Bars.
POET Sarge Lintecum is a leading slam poet (performance art poet) in Arizona, and slam master, having hosted The Mary McCann Poetry Slam for over three years. He has been an organizer and national competing member of the Phoenix Slam Poetry Team from 1992, when he competed that year in Boston, to 1996. At the 1994 Annual National Slam Poetry Competition in Asheville, North Carolina Sarge won the Slam Haiku competition making him the 1994 National Slam Haiku Champion of the USA, and inspiring him to write his 160 page book, (1 Haiku per page) "Sarge's Little Book of Haiku". This book was Sarge's second book of poetry, preceded by "The Vietnam Blues and Other Really Radical Writings." (50 pages) Sarge's third book, "Vietnam Vet Will Work For Food" (30 pages) will touch your heart.
SONGWRITER Sarge's blues music, spoken word, and jazz recording, "Vietnam Blues-Combat Tested Blues . . . For Peace", (on CD and cassette), on which Sarge sings, plays harmonica, and wrote the songs and poems has received five Honorable Mention Certificates in Billboard Magazine's National Song Contest.
MUSICIAN Sarge, a fine harmonica player, is endorsed and sponsered by Lee Oskar, of WAR fame, and owner of the Lee Oskar Harmonica Company. Lee Oskar has come to Phoenix, Arizona, on four occasions to do benefit concerts that Sarge and his wife and business partner, Leslie Nan Lintecum, conceived of and organized.
SINGER Sarge has a powerful voice and stage presence. He performs at concerts and veterans' events around the nation. Sarge's recording, "Vietnam Blues-Combat Tested Blues... For Peace", has been played around the world on short-wave radio on Doc Upton's Vietnam Veterans Radio Network by Radio For Peace International. Mr. & Mrs. Sarge Enterprises advertises "Vietnam Blues-Combat Tested Blues . . . For Peace", in "Vietnam Magazine", in the US and many countries around the world.
TEACHER Sarge and Leslie have home taught their four children, (two now grown), and Sarge teaches: poetry, the Vietnam War, haiku poetry, performance art poetry, and peace classes by personal appearances for ten and twenty day workshops through the Arizona Commission on the Arts Residency Roster. Grants are available to cover half of the cost.
BENEFIT ORGANIZER "Harmonicas Against Hunger" for Saint Mary's Food Bank featuring Lee Oskar and Sarge took place at the Rhythm Room Blues Bar two years in a row (1992 & '93). Lee also did a benefit with Sarge and Leslie for the Vietnam Veterans of America Post #432, Phoenix Chapter. Sarge and Leslie do benefits for the CASS Homeless Shelter in Phoenix and many other charities with great need.
SPEAKER Sarge is much in demand as a speaker at schools, clubs, churches, and on radio, and TV. Audiences of all ages find Sarge captivating, thought provoking, and informative.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES Sarge is an entertainer, and that really shows when he hosts an event. Sarge has hosted hundreds of poetry events, a series of AIDS benefits, and all of the benefits and shows that he and Leslie produce.