Command Sgt. Maj. Basil L. Plumley
Thank you Sgt. Maj. for your service and your inspiration.
He was played by Sam Elliot in the movie with Mel Gibson.
From Daily Mail article: Joe Galloway, author of the book along with Hal Moore, said several of Elliott’s gruff one-liners in the movie were things Plumley actually said, such as the scene in which a soldier tells the sergeant major good morning and is told: ‘Who made you the (expletive) weather man?’
Sgt MacKenzie - We Were Soldiers Soundtrack with Lyrics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB2Ad04mukI&feature=related
May you rest in peace Command Sergeant Major, may angels speed you to your home.