Military Vets...I would like your opinion on something that happened...

[M.D. Holloway]

While on travel last week, I was at a hotel bar having a night cap, engaged in conversation with a friend and a state rep from OK. The rep was marginally interesting (and I rather not go into who he is, not really relevant...) but next to him was a young man. As it turns out the young man served in the marines, 2 years as a financial guy then he said he became a sort of shooting trainer. Of course I thanked him for his service. He asked if I served to which I said no but my Father was a WWII vet. He asked if he got a CIB and I said 'Yes' in fact he was a BAR guy. He then asked if he got another acronym which I can't remember but it was along the lines of killing someone in combat. I said I would have imagined so, he earned the Bronze Star and was hurt badly during the Battle of the Bulge when a motor blew up in his fox hole. I then told them that the only reason he took the BAR post was for the extras money ($6/mth) to send home. I shared a story my father told many times about the incident and this kid got up and said "do me a favor, never tell that again" and he went to use the bathroom. we looked at each other and thought that was a strange thing to say.

He came back and I said to him, "I think I may have misunderstood your comment, please help me understand." He said "thats your Dads story, you have no right telling it."

That didn't sit well with me so I said, "I respect you served our nation but understand this, if my father was here he would tell you many things about the war as well as other things. I share the story to give him a voice. Thats how we learn and honor those who can't speak for themselves."

He just looked at me and shook my hand, said its all cool and headed to his room.

I have had many friends who saw tours in Viet nam, Granada, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan and none have ever behaved like that. I'm thinking he either was dealing with some hard core shyt or was a poser pretending to have seen action and wished he did. Either way not sure what to make of it...

[flyenby]

I have a CIB, Nam 69-70 sounds like a poser...Your father was part of the Greatest Generation, continue to tell the story...screw that jerk

[sc_rufctr]

I wouldn't worry about it. Who knows what demons the young man is carrying.
I won't even speculate as to why but I find it odd that they count the dead in the US Army (if that's true). I never knew that.
All the Vets I know (Aust Army) have never mention such things.

And I think it's cool that you're carrying your fathers oral history. Good bless him but he wont be with us forever.
I can't even imagine how much history has been lost to time.

As most of us here would know the Battle of the Bulge was a very significant battle. Please thank him for his service.

[snbush67]

It's good that you honor your fathers legacy by sharing his stories. Some people are just a bit touchy, don't let it phase you.

And I've never heard of an award for killing someone, officially or unofficially. Sounds like something a poser would say, or maybe he just had a bit more to drink then he needed.

[SamC.]

M.D., My 28 years in the Marine Corps says "Poser". The Corps does have Marines who do Finance - ( MOS 3451/3452) and they may deploy into harms way. They are however at the major combat bases ( Camp Leatherneck, Al-asad) They are most definitely NOT out at the FOBs (Forward Operating Base). The young man may indeed have worked as a Rifle Range Coach, but those details are normally short duration, several weeks to couple of months. So, chances are pretty good the young Marine has seen no combat and has no direct knowledge of what he speaks.

As for there being a specific DOD "award" for having killed an enemy combatant, there is none. The existence of such would be completely counter to our US military ethos. The Marines, Soldiers and Sailors ( ok, SEALS) that I know personally who have engaged/killed the enemy do not speak of the matter. We share our experiences in terms such as your Dad does.

I appreciate you telling your Dad's story. Keep telling it. Teach it to your children so they may in turn tell theirs about what Great-Grandad did to help secure their future.

Semper fi!

[71scgc]

Don't sweat it. Your Father's story is yours as well.
He's your father after all.

Finance guy=REMF

Carter

[wdfifteen]

You were in a bar. How much had he had to drink? Some people can get pretty weird after a few drinks. I had a friend who went into the Navy. When he came home he was so unpredictable we stopped hanging with him when he was on leave. He would get belligerent and want to argue or start fights over the smallest things.

[monoflo]

Don't sweat it - being proud of your Pop who served is great - I'm proud of my old mans and don't hesitate to speak of his service - proud of my own but not a something I brag about.

Maybe it was the booze but the guy sounds like he was full of BS

[Rot 911]

Sounds like just a dumb drunk to me. I wouldn't worry about it. (Me:27 years military, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, DS1.)

[widgeon13]

Yes sir! Continue to tell the story. That's the only way it will be told truthfully. That's why books are written.

He was wrong in what he said. Game over.

Check out Jonna Doolittle Hoppes website:

Since 2005, I have toured the United States and Europe delivering the same message. "If we don't record our stories, they will be lost."


Central to that message is the theme that there are heroes among us: People who will tell you that they were just doing their job, but, in reality, through their service, they gave us the freedom we enjoy today.


The heroes among us fought in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm. They are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq today. There are also heroes among us who kept the home fires burning and America functioning as they waited for our soldiers to come home from harm's way.

This journey through history led to a new book. JUST DOING MY JOB is a collection of narratives from World War II. These stories are just as extraordinary as my grandfather's one way mission from the pitching decks of the U.S.S. Hornet.

Recently I started a third book, JUST DOING MY JOB, TOO. I am actively looking for individuals from WWII as subjects in this new project. If you have a story, or just want to chat, please send me an email at tojonna@gmail.com.

And please check my Events schedule for upcoming appearances, as well as my Past Events.


Jonna Doolittle Hoppes


I have spoken to her and heard her speak, she is impressive.

[yazhound]

As a infantry Vet (Army) and an Army brat I say continue to tell your Father's story. My father is my hero and I am proud to be his son. He flew Huey's in Vietnam, in the 170 AHC, and Medivac amongst others units. He was awarded numerous Air Medals, Bronze Stars and the DFC. In talking about the medals he only says "ah they handed those out like candy".
He later became the first member of the Army to have his name on an F15. (33rd TFW Eglin).
If you were to see him today you might not think a hero stands before you. But you'd be wrong.

Revel in you Father's heroism. It needs to be celebrated and honored.

[LeeH]

His problem, not yours.

[T77911S]

you did not take credit for what your dad did. the guy has some ego issues perhaps. ignore him and forget.

if we dont remember and tell the stories of our parents that faught then it will all be forgotten. that should not be the case.
my dad was in korea. i have some pics but he never really said a lot about it.

[gt350mike]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

He asked if he got a CIB and I said 'Yes' in fact he was a BAR guy. He then asked if he got another acronym which I can't remember but it was along the lines of killing someone in combat.

I've never heard of anyone asking the second question regardless of their age or service background. Each combat veteran has their own reason but most will not share what they experienced during war. I’m assuming your dad shared the stories with you because felt you would comprehend and appreciate what he dealt with during and after the war so be grateful that he shared those stories with you. If your dad didn’t want you passing on to others the horrors of war, then I’d presume that he never would have said one word about his experience.

[craigster59]

Don't sweat it Mike. Be proud of your Dad's service and stories, no matter what some "Chairborne Ranger" says.

[Skytrooper]

Originally Posted by samc.

m.d., my 28 years in the marine corps says "poser". The corps does have marines who do finance - ( mos 3451/3452) and they may deploy into harms way. They are however at the major combat bases ( camp leatherneck, al-asad) they are most definitely not out at the fobs (forward operating base). The young man may indeed have worked as a rifle range coach, but those details are normally short duration, several weeks to couple of months. So, chances are pretty good the young marine has seen no combat and has no direct knowledge of what he speaks.

As for there being a specific dod "award" for having killed an enemy combatant, there is none. The existence of such would be completely counter to our us military ethos. The marines, soldiers and sailors ( ok, seals) that i know personally who have engaged/killed the enemy do not speak of the matter. We share our experiences in terms such as your dad does.

I appreciate you telling your dad's story. Keep telling it. Teach it to your children so they may in turn tell theirs about what great-grandad did to help secure their future.

Semper fi!

+1

[Hugh R]

Drunk who felt relegated to a desk.

Semper Fi
USMC
1971-73
MOS 0844 Surveyor/Mapper for now defunct 8" Howitzers and 175mm guns.

[ficke]

Poser all the way.
Your dad's stories are your stories and so are your grandfathers and great grandfathers. That is your family linage and yours by birth.
It is not only OK that you tell your dad's stories it is your duty as his son to remember him by telling his stories.
Good for you for caring about your family.

[masraum]

Maybe he was fishing for a free beer or something.

I'm not a veteran, but I'm related to some and have known many and have never heard such a thing. That's odd, to say the least.

[Danimal16]

My dad never spoke of his time as the first member of HML 167. I only realized it last spring when they dedicated the memorial to their fallen comrades.

All those that were lost in 1968 and 1969 were my Dad's Marines. He has strong memories of PFC Wagstaff from New York who was lost, with the rest of his crew on 8/27/1968. Damn right I am proud of him.

My Dad with the Local Reporter inside the Museum of the Marine Corps at Four Corners.



The Memorial;



The Dedication;



The Fallen;



He didn't say much that night.