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Posted on 06/27/2004 12:05:58 AM PDT by snippy_about_it
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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 In separate actions, two GIs emerge as uncommon heroes in a common hell The irony was not lost on Navy Corpsman William R. Charette. Having read about the near-cataclysmic events at the Chosin Reservoir in 1950, he found himself, surprisingly, assigned three years later to the same company that had fought there. Most of the men had rotated out of Korea by January 1953, when Charette joined F Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines. Now near Panmunjon, the company was located close to the site of the stalled peace talks.  Peace, though, wasn’t reigning anywhere near the three hills dubbed Reno, Carson and Vegas. One clear and freezing morning, Charette heard what he thought was thunder but, in reality, the roar was actually thousands of Chinese soldiers—attacking the 5th Marines that held the hills. In time, the hills fell, and, on March 27, Charette’s company was called to take part in a three-battalion assault on Vegas to recapture it. The intensity of the fighting was unmistakable as Charette saw men entangled in the barbed wire where they had died. Immediately, he began treating the wounded as his company moved ahead. Life soon became chaos for the young man as the cries for “corpsman” came from everywhere. Disregarding his own safety amid a hail of small-arms and mortar fire, Charette answered them as best he could throughout the day and into the night, literally losing all sense of time. He later recalled, “The Chinese above us were rolling grenades downhill onto us. There were so many going off there was no way to count them. It was just a constant roar.”  Charette, like the Marine corpman pictured here, was “Doc” to the men he treated under fire in the fierce March 1953 battle. Answering one of the calls for help, Charette came upon a marine in the point squad with severe wounds. A grenade landed near the corpsman and his patient. “I couldn’t see it in the dark. I knew it was there, and it was going to go off,” he said, describing how he used his medical bag to try to push the grenade away. Knowing his patient couldn’t survive more wounds, the Ludington, Mich., native shielded the man with his own body. The blast, which blew Charette’s helmet off and knocked him unconscious with wounds to the face, had also left him temporarily blind and deaf. When his sight returned, he saw he was the least wounded of the five men around him. The man Charette had shielded was also alive—thanks to the medical bag taking the brunt of the blow. Earlier Charette had given his coat to a wounded man, and now his medical supplies were nearly gone. Even so, he improvised, ripping his own clothes apart to make bandages and tourniquets, and pulled flak jackets from dead marines to cover their wounded comrades who were drawn to him like a magnet. Near dawn on March 28, the lead company was ordered to pull back. Under cover of darkness, Charette and other marines began evacuating the wounded from Vegas. When they came to a trench that had been torn up by an explosion, he didn’t hesitate to stand and carry a severely wounded marine to safety—an action he repeated over and over until the men were safe. “I could hear the bullets zipping by my head, but I had no choice.” Charette said, “I couldn’t leave the guy there.” Casualties were heavy for both sides in the battle for Vegas, with the Chinese sustaining more than thirteen hundred and the Marines; 118 dead, 801 wounded and 98 missing in action.  Nine months after the armistice, Charette was still in Korea, working in a postwar MASH unit when the chief surgeon gave him the news that he was to receive the Medal of Honor. Like many who have received the award, Charette protested that he did not deserve it. Home he went nonetheless. After spending Christmas with his family in Michigan, he traveled to the White House for the presentation on Jan. 12, 1954.  After receiving the Medal of Honor, Charette finished out his days of service training new corpsmen at Great Lakes, where he met his wife, Louise, who was in the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). After 90 days as a married civilian with a pregnant wife, Charette opted to make a career out of the Navy. He signed up for submarine school where, he said, “I found a home.” In 1958, he was honored to select the remains of what would become the Unknown Soldier of World War II. “This was a tremendous honor for me,” Charette said. “My grandchildren and their grandchildren will be able to visit the Tomb of the Unknowns and realize I had a small role in this national monument.”  After serving during Vietnam and the Cold War, Charette retired in 1977. When a local newspaper honored veterans from WWI, WWII and Vietnam, Charette was shocked that Korean veterans weren’t included. “ I don’t understand that, because 54,000 Americans lost their lives in Korea.”      |
I'm glad to hear it. Hiya miss Feather.
Quiet, and I hope it stays that way. We didn't camp this weekend, but will next.
LOL! I feel like a slug everyday.
During a research trip to D.C.a curator brought me a color photo of DD-520 off the Island of IE Shima.
The photo was taken from Sector communications ship MT Mckinley...Isherwood is on her way to Radar Picket 12.
At the moment of the photo...Radar picket Destroyers USS Pringle and USS Laffey are in a fight for their lives.
USS Pringle is lost...USS Laffey towed away a charred wreck.
DD-520 would stand in for Laffey for the next 5 days.
On the 22nd of April...they were suicided.
The vet who gave me his diary was aboard Hospital ship USS Pinkney...his body burned by av-gas.
Pickney painted in white with red cross's was suicided while the inured from Isherwood were in surgery.
The Kamikaze plowed deep into the hospital ship destroying several operating theatres...some of DD-520's crew perished.
Evil shows no quarter...
My friend underwent 2 years of skin grafting,pain and morphine....I wince at the thought..as I myself had surgery..and was placed in a burn unit wing[shortage of beds]...whatever pain I was experiencing..was nothing in comparrison to their ordeal.
Have met many from the ships crew,
have had many moments in their presence when their countinence shifted..the war came back like a flood.
I have to give a plug here for veterans wives...they are the unknown hero's too in the story..many have had enormous hardship loving a man with war scars.
Have many reflections now..seeing them laugh and joke.
yet..a prayer is in my heart for them,
That they can find rest for their souls.
I feel like a slug today.
So in other words everything normal.
Completely off topic
Something I ran across about Freerepublic's favorite film maker
Hello From the land of the Pharaohs Egypt
http://bigpharaoh.blogspot.com/
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Thank God we're not the only people with nuts among us
A lot have been said about the river of conspiracy theories that runs through the Arab/Muslim world. Even some of our most celebrated intellectuals resort to unrealistic and too often funny conclusions when they do not want to face a reality. A huge number of educated Arabs actually believed the rumor that 4000 Jews did not report to work in the World Trade Center on September 11. You get the idea.
After reading some of Michael Moore's comments, I felt relived that we are not the only people with nuts among us. From what I read about his latest documentary film, I discovered that it really resembled a lot of the fake and emotionally hype stories I read in our media and especially in our cheap tabloids.
However, there is something very troubling about Michael Moore. Our conspiracy theorists and la-la-land inhabitants do not hate their country and they don't go around the world bashing it in front of a foreign audience. I am not sure if I am being fair by using the word "hate". May be Michael Moore doesn't hate the USA but just hates its system or whatever you want to call it. But I find it a bit difficult to use another word when I read that he actually thinks that the terrorists who bomb police stations and oil pipelines in Iraq resemble a "revolution" that "will win." I find it equally troubling that he uttered those far from the truth words to a foreign audience.
I had read E. Howard Hunt, Give Us This Day, 1973, in 97. We had provided the B-26s with the multiple .50 cal.s in their nose which were used by Cuban pilots.
Pre-raid air surveillance showed three T-33s with .50 cal.s still intact on Castro's runways. Permission for a final raid to eliminate these was sought.
Apparently Kennedy locked himself in the little boys' room, put his hands over his ears, and sang, "La la la la la I can't hear you!"
What I wasn't aware of until tonight's telling, was that it was Ich Bin Ein Pantywaist who moved the invasion from near Havana to the Bahia de Henry Waxmen.
So these eleven hundred patriots got hosed.
I had been aware of their shameful ransom for 53 mill in trucks, their gift of their battle standard to President Addison, and his bodacious promise to return same to them "in a free Cuba".
The entire "Cuban Missile Crisis" was directly due to this president's cowardice in 1961--and what was NOT reported tonight was that he withdrew our Pershing IRBMs from Incirclik Turkey in addition to promising not to invade Cuba.
When Dallas gave him the warm welcome the following year its mayor was Earle Cabell brother to Charles 1925 West Point graduate and deputy directory of CIA fired by the Prince of Hyannis.
An Army intelligence officer charged with determining the Chinese order of battle following the Korean War remarked to me that President (deleted) had been "very dangerous".
One BOP vet shown was Felix Rodriguez aka Maximo Gomez who later took part in the capture and execution of Che Guevara.
Guevara's hands were removed for identification.
Now that Leahy's Legions have our Marine hostage and threaten his beheading, I repeat my proposal.
We will follow such brutality in kind, increased by orders of magnitude.
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy aggressor forces during the early morning hours. Participating in a fierce encounter with a cleverly concealed and well-entrenched enemy force occupying positions on a vital and bitterly contested outpost far in advance of the main line of resistance, HC3c. Charette repeatedly and unhesitatingly moved about through a murderous barrage of hostile small-arms and mortar fire to render assistance to his wounded comrades. When an enemy grenade landed within a few feet of a marine he was attending, he immediately threw himself upon the stricken man and absorbed the entire concussion of the deadly missile with his body. Although sustaining painful facial wounds, and undergoing shock from the intensity of the blast which ripped the helmet and medical aid kit from his person, HC3c. Charette resourcefully improvised emergency bandages by tearing off part of his clothing, and gallantly continued to administer medical aid to the wounded in his own unit and to those in adjacent platoon areas as well. Observing a seriously wounded comrade whose armored vest had been torn from his body by the blast from an exploding shell, he selflessly removed his own battle vest and placed it upon the helpless man although fully aware of the added jeopardy to himself. Moving to the side of another casualty who was suffering excruciating pain from a serious leg wound, HC3c. Charette stood upright in the trench line and exposed himself to a deadly hail of enemy fire in order to lend more effective aid to the victim and to alleviate his anguish while being removed to a position of safety. By his indomitable courage and inspiring efforts in behalf of his wounded comrades, HC3c. Charette was directly responsible for saving many lives. His great personal valor reflects the highest credit upon himself and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
The 21-year-old corpsman was one of only five hospital corpsmen who earned America’s highest award for military valor in Korea. And he was the only one who lived to have Eisenhower hang the Medal of Honor around his neck.
He runs up the hill with bullets whizzing by and explosions all around him.
He is directed to a badly wounded Marine lying in the trench. While he's working, the Chinese begin rolling grenades downhill to the trenches. One lands by Charette and the casualty.
He does not want to jump on the grenade. He tries to push it away with his medical bag and covers his patient with his body.
The grenade explodes, sending shrapnel into his face. His helmet is blown off and he is deafened and temporarily blinded. But his patient is not hit.
This site does not allow hot-linking in any configuration, however, you will find it worthwhile to copy and paste the following URL into your browser window:
Hospitalman William R. Charette, who received the Medal of Honor for Korean War heroism, selects the Unknown Serviceman of World War II, during ceremonies on board USS Canberra (CAG-2) off the Virginia Capes on 26 May 1958. The other World War II Unknown Serviceman candidate's casket is at left, with the Unknown Serviceman of the Korean War in the middle. After completion of the selection ceremonies, the World War II and Korean War Unknown Servicemen were carried to Washington, D.C., for burial at Arlington Cemetery. The other World War II Unknown was buried at sea.
I happened upon this soldier's personal Ola Mize story:
In Don Bendel's editorial, he talks about HIGHLY decorated veterans that dislike John Kerry. One of them happens to be Colonel (ret.) Ola Mize - a man that I blogged about on my very first day as a blogger. Here is what I wrote:
Please understand that is was a great duty to escort a MOH winner - so I didn't complain - hell, I wanted to meet the heroes and I ended up as escort officer for Ola Mize. He was a Sergeant when he received the MOH and ended his career in the Army as a Colonel. He was a great guy, very easy going and funny. I really liked being around him. I even had the Division Staff Duty Officer - charged with knowing everything that was going on at night and had keys to open every building - open the bowling alley on base for Colonel Mize at midnight so we could bowl and have a beer. After bowling, I dropped the colonel off at his VIP suite. I caught up with the other junior officers who escorted MOH winners that day, and the consensus was that every single one of them were great guys. All of us had been treated with enormous respect. Hell, I bowled and drank beers with an amazing American hero that I would have willingly carried on my back around the base.After the initial night, Colonel Mize received a higher ranking officer to escort him around by daylight. So, I said my goodbyes, shook the colonel's hand, and went to find out if I was still needed for escort duty. Colonel Mize's last words to me were, "Someday, Matt, you will have the honor of being led around by a lieutenant. When that day comes, don't be a jackass."
I wish that I could introduce each of you to a Lee Mize or Al Lynch. You would NEVER know that they were heroes - even after talking to them for an hour - until someone mentioned that they were awarded the Medal of Honor. Then, some of you Kerry supporters would understand why we vets find Kerry so undesirable. He's not much of a man.
Forget, for a minute, Kerry's voting record or disgraceful actions after the Vietnam War. Forget all of the stories out of Massachusets and D.C. about Kerry's propensity to say, "Do you know who I am?". Forget his penchant for rich women. Forget about his claims of foreign leaders supporting his candidacy. Forget the way he called one of his Secret Service agents a son-of-a-bitch. Forget that he called the Bush team "lying crooks". Uh-oh, I seem to have gotten carried away trying to forget all of the parts of John Kerry that I find disgusting.
Just think about what kind of man he is...because he ain't George Bush and he sure as hell ain't no Ola Mize.
And here is Don Bendel's preceding piece with a quote from Mize--I'll post it in its entirety so you may judge it in context:
GUEST OPINION: ATTACKING THE ATTACKERS by Don Bendell
I have written two widely-distributed editorials concerning the actions of democratic Presidential candidate John Forbes Kerry that have circulated the globe. In the first, the more popular, I wrote of my wife's rotator cuff surgery, but I wish to address much deeper wounds. Kerry's people have now said that I have slung mud, and I have. First, I was throwing it back, but more importantly; it was mud compiled from the dirt that has surrounded John Kerry since he first decided to run for President around 1970, mixed in with the blood and tears of those who fought in Vietnam, the men and women that he betrayed.
John Kerry is a decorated Vietnam veteran, but much more so is retired green beret Colonel (Ola) Lee Mize. Lee Mize, as an NCO, received the Congressional Medal of Honor in the Korean War, this nation's highest award for extreme heroism and gallantry in battle, and later retired as a full bird colonel after four full tours in the Vietnam War.
Retired army Sergeant First Class Sammy L. Davis also earned the coveted Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions with the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam in 1967.
Generals, even Presidents, traditionally salute Medal of Honor recipients when they see them, as these men are so revered. Both of these very special men wanted to give me direct quotes specifically for this editorial concerning John F. Kerry.
Lee Mize said, "What he (John Kerry) did to our Vietnam veterans, throwing his medals over the fence, his testifying before Congress (in 1971), and hanging around with Jane Fonda. Then, never regretting his made-up lies and his testimony, that is a real shame. It is equally disgusting the way he put down our National Guard and our Reserves. He certainly is a two-faced individual."
Sammy Davis, the second MOH recipient I spoke with, said of Kerry, "He has done great disservice to every Vietnam veteran by his actions after he came home from Vietnam. He was in a position of power and could have implemented positive changes for veterans and active duty military personnel during the past 18 years, but he chose not to do so."
When asked on TV, in January, about George W. Bush's record in the Air National Guard, John Kerry mugged for the TV cameras and said, "I am not going to question someone's decision back then to join the National Guard, go to Canada, be a conscientious objector, or go AWOL."
Kerry did not stop to think, when he made such a statement, lumping National Guard service in with being AWOL or a draft dodger, that he was not only dishonoring the 6,077 men who died in Vietnam who were in the National Guard and Reserves, those who trained hard to protect our homeland and be a reserve force, but he also denigrated the 140 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor in our nation's history who were members of the National Guard. That is what I said: 140 Medal of Honor recipients were in the National Guard.
My wife is the most beautiful, but also the toughest individual I know. She is public about being the victim of both acquaintance rape and gang rape, close to thirty years ago. Now, as a fifth degree black belt, a master, she has even been presented the prestigious Jefferson Award, in big part, for teaching women and girls how to fight back and win. In some ways, I have hated it when she prepares to conduct another Sexual Assault Prevention Clinic, as she emotionally is raped all over again, and I have to hold her many nights while she cries.
The few who have decried my attempts to call out about the emotional rape of Vietnam veterans by John F. Kerry, have said, "Vietnam was three decades ago. Why bring it up now? Let's talk about today's issues."
You cannot forget a rape. It is a life sentence for the victim. Just ask a Vietnam veteran.
I will not let people forget about the rape of our proud, long-standing strength of America, our military, and its leadership in Vietnam. It was conducted like an acquaintance rape. We were betrayed by one in a position of trust, and that hurts worse than stranger rape.
Let us talk today's facts: John Kerry called us his "Band of Brothers," and now flaunts his hero status to get elected. What has he done for his "Band Brothers?" Each session of Congress is 2 years in length. In the eighties, in the 99th Congress, Kerry's first two years, when you would think he would be full of enthusiasm and eager to fix things, Kerry proposed 1 measly veteran-related bill, S1033. It died. In the 100th Congress, he proposed 1 measly veteran-related bill, S1510. It died, too. The 101st Congress, he proposed 1 measly veteran-related bill, S2128. It also died, but he did propose an amendment to a bill S2884. It died.
Then, in the 102nd, 103rd, 104th, 105th, 106th, and 107th sessions of Congress, 12 years, Kerry proposed ZERO bills related to veterans issues, his "Band of Brothers."
Finally, in the 108th Congress, closing in on two decades of seniority, but more importantly, deciding to run for the Presidency, Kerry sponsored 1 measly veteran-related bill, S1112. It died.
Now, Chief Hypocrite John F. Kerry, and his ardent supporters, attack Bush to divert his own miserable record, especially as it relates to those he calls his "Band of Brothers." When anybody like me fires back, they are pounced-upon and denounced as "mud-slingers."
Here is some factual mud: George W. Bush has increased military pay 21%. Kerry voted against military pay raises 12 times.
Kerry and his spinners have said that Bush is decimating the Veterans Administration. FACT: According to factscheck.org, Bush's 2005 fiscal budget increases VA funding by 40% over when Bush took office, Bush has cut administrative time in VA by half, the Annenberg Center says that funding for veterans under Bush is increasing twice as fast under Bush as it did under Clinton, and vets getting health benefits now has increased by over 27% under Bush.
Under previous Presidents, democratic and republican, I always was treated like a bastard stepchild at VA hospitals. Since Bush became President, I am treated like a veteran with respect and dignity and have never had to wait for more than a half an hour for an appointment.
Now Kerry, you and your cronies attack and belittle our commander-in-chief while we are at war, giving more propaganda to the enemy, all for what, . . . votes. Saddam Hussein? Iraq? Your own words and common sense answers that question, definitively.
"So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real." - Sen. John F. Kerry 1/23/03
"disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security."- Sen. John F. Kerry, 10/9/02
"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking an developing weapons of mass destruction."- Sen. Ted Kennedy, 9/27/02
"Iraq is a long way from here, but what happens there matters a great deal here. For the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons against us or our allies is the greatest security threat we face." Madeline Albright, 2/18/98
FACT: George W. Bush volunteered for extra service time to be trained as a jet pilot, no walk in the park itself, and voluntarily requested the release of 450 pages of his own personal military records, and they have been misrepresented and propagandized to attack him. Kerry touts his war hero status but adamantly refuses to request the public release of his own military records. He is a decorated hero. Being a decorated hero, why would he not release his records? What does he have to hide?
Now, Richard Clarke, an eight-year Clinton loyalist, has conveniently released his supposed tell-all book against the Bush Administration. He now slanders a President he publicly praised in a recorded 2002 news interview for taking a much tougher non-nonsense stance against the Al Q'Aida than his predecessor. I am an author: I know the value of releasing a book that creates controversy; and at this time, releasing this book can potentially put millions into Clarke's pockets. I wish I was releasing a book right now. He said in his book that Bush did nothing militarily until November after the attacks on September 11, 2001. Clarke's words about our military action at that time show how much he was NOT "in-the-loop." Special Forces and Special Operations is a very, very tight-knit community, and most of us, even ones not on active duty anymore, knew that President Bush had two Special Forces (Green Beret) A-Teams on the ground in Afghanistan within 48 hours of the first jet slamming into the World Trade Center. Within two hours of the 9-11 attacks, military plans were underway at USSOCOM headquarters at MacDill AFB, Florida.
Rank and organization: Master Sergeant (then Sgt.), U.S. Army, Company K, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Surang-ni, Korea, 10 to 11 June 1953. Entered service at: Gadsden, Ala. Born: 28 August 1931, Marshall County, Ala. G.O. No.: 70, 24 September 1954. Citation: M/Sgt. Mize, a member of Company K, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Company K was committed to the defense of "Outpost Harry", a strategically valuable position, when the enemy launched a heavy attack. Learning that a comrade on a friendly listening post had been wounded he moved through the intense barrage, accompanied by a medical aid man, and rescued the wounded soldier. On returning to the main position he established an effective defense system and inflicted heavy casualties against attacks from determined enemy assault forces which had penetrated into trenches within the outpost area. During his fearless actions he was blown down by artillery and grenade blasts 3 times but each time he dauntlessly returned to his position, tenaciously fighting and successfully repelling hostile attacks. When enemy onslaughts ceased he took his few men and moved from bunker to bunker, firing through apertures and throwing grenades at the foe, neutralizing their positions. When an enemy soldier stepped out behind a comrade, prepared to fire, M/Sgt. Mize killed him, saving the life of his fellow soldier. After rejoining the platoon, moving from man to man, distributing ammunition, and shouting words of encouragement he observed a friendly machine gun position overrun. He immediately fought his way to the position, killing 10 of the enemy and dispersing the remainder. Fighting back to the command post, and finding several friendly wounded there, he took a position to protect them. Later, securing a radio, he directed friendly artillery fire upon the attacking enemy's routes of approach. At dawn he helped regroup for a counterattack which successfully drove the enemy from the outpost. M/Sgt. Mize's valorous conduct and unflinching courage reflect lasting glory upon himself and uphold the noble traditions of the military service.
Evening Phil Dragoo.
I read a very good book about the Cuban Missile Crisis and events leading up to it. Can't remember the name or author but it was very in depth and showed how President Kennedy left the Cubans in the lurch by withdrawing air and naval support at the critical moment.
Thanks for the additional info on Col. Ola Mize. I had the honor of meeting Sgt Sammy L. Davis on a coupple of occasions. He, like most heroes, are the exact opposite of Kerry.
Kerry is about as dispicable as they come. He uses veterans to enhance his status, but even though in a postion to do something to help he does little or nothing. He's a legend in his own mind.
Many don't think that not only the veteran has to deal with the wounds and scars of war, so do their wives, parents, childern and relatives. God Bless them all.
Michael Moore is not just a poor excuse for an American he's a pathetic excuse for a human being.
I expect you're in bed now. We did notice our Vexillologist's absence but thought we'd let one day slide before we sent the troops out looking for you. ;-)
Neat flag-o-gram today.
ROTFLMAO on the Zombie ad. Somewhere between living and dead... perfect description!
Thanks Phil. I read Bendell's blog yesterday while researching for this thread, thanks for posting it along with the rest of your post. ;-)
BTT!!!!!!
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