Request for help

email | November 21, 2005 | Neil E. Wright

[Neil E. Wright]

Greetings FReeper Vets,

I received the following email today from a relative of a recently passed Marine.

Sargent Major Charles Huff died Saturday 11/19/05. He was a Bronze Star with a V recipient and spent 30 years in the marine corp. I have been unable to find any information or list of bronze star recipients. Can you help me? He was my uncle and talked about the marine corp until the day he died. All of these brave recipients should be recognized on a website sponsored by our goverment. My e-mail address is gregmcpeters@aol.com

If any one of you is able to help him out, please either email him directly, and/or post a reply here.

[Neil E. Wright]

To Greg McPeters; Please accept my condolances on the loss of your Uncle, and my thanks for his service in the cause of FREEDOM. (Just FYI ... when you type Marine Corps, it is customary to capitalize the words .... ;) )

[Neil E. Wright]

Sargent Major Charles Huff, USMC, R.I.P

±

"The Era of Osama lasted about an hour, from the time the first plane hit the tower to the moment the General Militia of Flight 93 reported for duty."
Toward FREEDOM

This is my Military/Veteran's Affairs ping list. FReep mail me if you want ON/OFF the list.

[bitt]

for you, a bump AND a ping!

[SandRat]

MARINE PING!!!

[potlatch]

Thanks bitt. I'm signing off for the night.

[LUV W]

REST IN PEACE
SARGENT MAJOR CHARLES HUFF
USMC
YOU ARE MY HERO

[ntnychik]

http://www.amervets.com/bsmedl.htm

This site might help. Also, put the words bronze star recipients into a Google search. There are many good options there.

[Zacs Mom]

[Prime Choice]

I have been unable to find any information or list of bronze star recipients. Can you help me?

First off, my condolences to the survivors of Sgt. Major Charles Huff. Our loss is Heaven's gain.

Second, I know of no such lists that are generally available.

A relative of a deceased veteran of any branch of the military may, acquire a copy of said veteran's military personnel file.

This can be done via the following resources.

• http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records.html
• http://www.archives.gov/research_room/vetrecs/
• http://www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel_records/standard_form_180.html

Hope this helps.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT

[Soaring Feather]

bump

[marine86297]

"Sargent" = Sergeant
Spell check is our friend

Semper Fidelis

[mad_as_he$$]

Semper Fi, Devil Dog. Rest in Peace, your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

[dixie sass]

I put in "A List of Bronze Star recipients with V" there are so many articles and lists that I gave up and came back here to let y'all know.

[oh8eleven]

All of these brave recipients should be recognized on a website sponsored by our goverment.
I doubt many Marines would agree with that. In fact, most would tell you that they were just doing their job as a Marine.
Semper Fi ...

[Smartass]

---

Marines' Prayer

---

Marine Corps is known to improvise as needed, never retreat, and teamwork.  Following prayer is one of those well known Corps' attitude.

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will.  Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose and deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones, and Thee without shame or fear.  Protect my family.

Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm.  Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance.  Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my Country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me.  Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold.

If I am inclined to doubt, steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. 

Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer.

[JLO]

Maybe there's something here.

http://www.defenselink.mil/

http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/frontpagenews

[Kenny Bunk]

As youse know, I always thought the biggest mystery of the century just past was:

"Why did George HW Bush take a dive in the
election of '92 against Bill Clinton?"

But we gotta move on. With your forbearance, I want to add another question:

"What the hell was Senator Heinz thinking
when he hooked up with this Teresa?"

[MindBender26]

>list of bronze star recipients.

Probably way too many. They handed them out like water in RVN. For junior grade officers, they were the "I was there" medal.

[feb22]

Perhaps today in late February is most fitting for a reply regarding Sgt. Maj. CA Huff. To one previous comment of bronze being the "I was there" medal -- while this may true, during certain times in our history, it would be best left unsaid. These citations are all different and personal. Only one person knows their true worth. With the combat V, Bronze is a different citation entirely. And, when the V comes from the 2nd Battalion 28th Marines, it comes with a cost of 83% casualty. The 2nd Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division landed 3400 Marines on beach Green 1 on February 19, 1945. At the end, 600 were left standing. Sgt. Maj Huff's was one of less than 10, in his, a company of over 90% casualties, who stood for the entire battle. This was the battalion of Ira Hayes, and bronze like silver like Navy Crosses were common. That's what Nimitz meant by, "Uncommon valor was a common virtue". 25% of America's Medals of Honor for the entire WWII were at Iwo Jima. The times were difficult to document with so few witnesses left. No doubt there were many who would have been cited if documented. This unit is the Marine Corps' most decorated battalion of all times. And this was their most terrible and finest hour. They led the rest into the worst battle in Marine Corps history which left 26,000 casualties. It is arguably the finest hour of courage and sacrifice in America's history of armed conflict.

Sgt.Maj. CA Huff assumed his company's command after all officers and senior NCOs were killed. He was there for the entire 31 days, and was considered for higher decoration. He would be the first to tell you that it was a thing not to be compared or challenged. Too many gave everything. He would also never say they had it worse than other Marines. And who could say that. He knew these were all unique sacrafices; all Marines, everywhere giving what they had. Only we know now they gave a little something more not because they were special but because we, America, asked them to at that time and place. We've always asked them and they always give everything. They continue today. That's what the Marine Corps means.