Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Vietnam War veteran, 83, wears his dress blues to stand guard over his Marine buddy's casket...
DAILY MAIL UK ^ | Nov. 16, 2017 | Regina F. Graham For Dailymail.com

Posted on 11/16/2017 5:16:47 PM PST by Morgana

FULL TITLE: Vietnam War veteran, 83, wears his dress blues to stand guard over his Marine buddy's casket after they made promise to each other in 1968 when they survived a mortar attack

An 83-year-old retired Marine kept a promise he made to a fellow officer while they were hunkered down in a bunker during the Vietnam War.

Retired Marine Master Sgt. William H. Cox and Retired Marine First Sgt. James 'Hollie' Hollingsworth were shielding themselves from rockets and mortars in 1968 as they were fighting in the Marble Mountains during the war on New Year's Eve.

The two men, who were strangers to each other, had decided if they made it out of the bunker and survived the war, they would contact each other every New Year's Eve.

For the next five decades they kept that promise - every New Year's Eve they would catch up.

Earlier this year, Cox traveled from Piedmont, South Carolina, to see Hollingsworth, 80, in Hephzibah, Georgia.

The 83-year-old made the trip so that he could say goodbye to his dear friend who was dying.

(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: georgia; marine; rip; usmc
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-35 last
To: McGavin999

Yes indeed


21 posted on 11/16/2017 6:39:18 PM PST by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

This reminds me I’ve a few graves that I promised to poor beer on.


22 posted on 11/16/2017 6:39:41 PM PST by fella ("As it was before Noah so shall it be again,")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

Thanks for sharing this. The article got all blurry at the end there.


23 posted on 11/16/2017 6:47:06 PM PST by NEMDF
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sergeantdave

Duty...honor


24 posted on 11/16/2017 7:04:01 PM PST by South Dakota (We need a real independent investigation of Bill/Hillary and Obama's actions)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: South Dakota

“Duty...honor...”

Good people like you are why America will never fall into the abyss.


25 posted on 11/16/2017 7:29:11 PM PST by sergeantdave
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: IronJack
From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered- We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother;
26 posted on 11/16/2017 7:38:53 PM PST by Kartographer ("We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

One of the greatest privileges I had was meeting at the Springfield Oregon Veterans Parade a Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant in the service dress blues he wore on his last day of active duty. He enlisted in the Corps in 1936. He said his proudest time was getting his entire unit back from the Chosin Reservoir.


27 posted on 11/16/2017 7:39:52 PM PST by Retain Mike
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

“Semper Fidelis” defined perfectly.


28 posted on 11/16/2017 7:41:00 PM PST by CrazyIvan (Honk If You've Been Sexually Assaulted By Harvey Weinstein.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sergeantdave

I understand duty and honor....my dad lived it


29 posted on 11/16/2017 7:57:52 PM PST by South Dakota (We need a real independent investigation of Bill/Hillary and Obama's actions)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet

A heavily decorated marine who served in Vietnam that I’m friends with just did the same for a fellow marine who saved his life at khe son . War must create incredible bonds. His friend past way from complications from agent orange they believe. Very sad .


30 posted on 11/16/2017 8:40:36 PM PST by BillyCuccio (MAGA)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: adorno
Marble Mountains

The locals call them Nu8i Xi-mang, in English, Cement Mountains because the gypsum is mined extensively for cement.Some of the peaks don't qualify as mountains any more, or even hills. That big marble dragon in front of your local Chinese Restaurant may well have been born out of one of these mountains.

31 posted on 11/16/2017 8:55:02 PM PST by ThanhPhero
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

And we have an asshole like Al Franken taking up news space!


32 posted on 11/16/2017 10:27:09 PM PST by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

Beautiful, poignant story. Thanks for posting it.


33 posted on 11/16/2017 10:34:27 PM PST by nutmeg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

God Bless him.


34 posted on 11/17/2017 4:23:29 AM PST by Maverick68
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Morgana

Thank you for posting this beautiful story. We just buried my father on Wednesday...Air Force, Korean War. Dad made the decision to be buried in a military cemetery this spring when his cancer became more aggressive. I am so glad he did. Watching the flag folding, Taps, and presentation to my mother is something I will not forget.


35 posted on 11/17/2017 3:05:26 PM PST by midnightcat
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-35 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson