Posted on 12/17/2008 8:15:43 PM PST by Dysart
Command Sgt. Maj. David D. Holmes spends time with World War II veteran Chief Master Sgt.-retired Charles Dragich after a ceremony Wednesday in which Dragich received medals for his service.
This is an incredible story of an incredible man. BTW, Chief Master Sgt.-retired Charles Dragich is on the right in the photo above. ;)
Amazing. Long overdue.
Three cheers for this hero.
Yes, maybe.
God bless this man.
What took so long? At least he was awarded them...
My experience as well. I’ve encountered quite a few old WWII battle veterans in my business and most of them have been reticent about their experiences, and those who have been more forthcoming, exceptionally modest. But one man sticks in my memory. He would frequently ramble in agonizing detail about battles, blood, the horror, the noise, with tears streaming down his face and a look of shock as if fresh from the battle. Poor guy was still tormented. And he rarely engaged in normal conversation, but when he was recounting- actually reliving those memories- it was surreal. That must have been 12 or so yrs ago now.
Thank you for the uplifting article about a very brave American.
"He knew he had earned at least some of the medals, but didnt really pursue a correction in his records because "I was not hard over on medals."
Humble to boot.
53% of Americans could’nt shine this mans shoes.
This man reflects the best of America and humanity. he could have griped about F.D.R. etc. No, too much hnor here.
Now back to the whining cowardly sludge of Obama’s America..
Hollywood.
Coming out of in in one piece would be reward enough.
And living to a vigorous ninety-two.
Honor Mr.Dragich and the other Bataan Death March survivors and those who died by joining about 4000 other people in March 2009 at White Sands Missile Base. We will be making or way on the annual Memorial Bataan Death March through 26.2 miles of rolling! desert on the Base.
Visit with a few of the remaining survivors on Saturday before the March and shake their hands again at the beginning and end of the march. IT is an awe inspiring event.
Oldplayer
Cushing, Oklahoma
That is very, very cool. Thanks for sharing the info, and yes, they are vanishing. Passing, I should say.
Guys like Dragich “built up” the US Military after WW2.
The man deserves another medal!
-PJ
My father earned 2 PH’s and a Bronze Star in The Battle Of The Bulge. Although when he was alive he rarely spoke of that time or his honors, what I know of his medal qualifications (bravery in combat) has always made me proud to be his son. This Death March survivor surely has earned his decorations too, yet a few pieces of metal and ribbon seems so inadaquate for such devotion and sacrifice for my freedom!
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