List your UNSUNG military hero
- Thread starter telewinz
- Start date
- Status
Sgt. Maj. Hincks
During the high water mark of Pickett's Charge on 3 July 1863 the colors of the 14th Tennessee Infantry C.S.A. were planted 50 yards in front of the center of Sgt. Maj. Hincks' regiment. There were no Confederates standing near it but several were lying down around it. Upon a call for volunteers by Major Ellis to capture this flag, this soldier and two others leaped the wall. One companion was instantly shot. Sgt. Maj. Hincks outran his remaining companion running straight and swift for the colors amid a storm of shot. Swinging his saber over the prostrate Confederates and uttering a terrific yell, he seized the flag and hastily returned to his lines. The 14th Tennessee carried twelve battle honors on its flag. The devotion to duty shown by Sgt. Maj. Hincks gave encouragement to many of his comrades at a crucial moment of the battle.
During the high water mark of Pickett's Charge on 3 July 1863 the colors of the 14th Tennessee Infantry C.S.A. were planted 50 yards in front of the center of Sgt. Maj. Hincks' regiment. There were no Confederates standing near it but several were lying down around it. Upon a call for volunteers by Major Ellis to capture this flag, this soldier and two others leaped the wall. One companion was instantly shot. Sgt. Maj. Hincks outran his remaining companion running straight and swift for the colors amid a storm of shot. Swinging his saber over the prostrate Confederates and uttering a terrific yell, he seized the flag and hastily returned to his lines. The 14th Tennessee carried twelve battle honors on its flag. The devotion to duty shown by Sgt. Maj. Hincks gave encouragement to many of his comrades at a crucial moment of the battle.
"Dog." 95 pounds of shepard-something mix Scout Dog working with Hotel 3/5 Marines August 1970 in the northern A Shau valley.
Named after the canine in John Wayne's movie "Big Jake" and had a personality to match.
Broke away from his handler, pushed the point man off the trail, and from everything we could see intentionally ran into a boobytrap, setting it off before we got to it. That action sprang an ambush prematurely.
We had zero causalties besides "Dog." 8 bodies, 2 separate body parts from 2 separate bodies, and more blood trails than we wanted to count or follow.
I know of 5 namesakes of that hero, including my chow-lab mix. Had to put her down many years ago. She was the first & only dog I ever had.
As for humans, the only one that I think comes close was my platoon sergeant - some butt-head named McCarty if memory serves me. He taught me more about why a man should always act with honor, truth, and integrity than anybody else I've ever met. I just wish I had learned that lesson from somebody who showed those characteristics, instead of having to live with somebody who was totally lacking in them.
stay safe.
skidmark
Named after the canine in John Wayne's movie "Big Jake" and had a personality to match.
Broke away from his handler, pushed the point man off the trail, and from everything we could see intentionally ran into a boobytrap, setting it off before we got to it. That action sprang an ambush prematurely.
We had zero causalties besides "Dog." 8 bodies, 2 separate body parts from 2 separate bodies, and more blood trails than we wanted to count or follow.
I know of 5 namesakes of that hero, including my chow-lab mix. Had to put her down many years ago. She was the first & only dog I ever had.
As for humans, the only one that I think comes close was my platoon sergeant - some butt-head named McCarty if memory serves me. He taught me more about why a man should always act with honor, truth, and integrity than anybody else I've ever met. I just wish I had learned that lesson from somebody who showed those characteristics, instead of having to live with somebody who was totally lacking in them.
stay safe.
skidmark
Pilgrim
Member
1st Lt [name forgotten] (Airborne) who taught me that, "The first time you quit is the hardest. After that it becomes a habit."
Pilgrim
Pilgrim
KriegHund
Member
Hm, ill take this as an oppurtunity.
Big huge thanks to all the brave men, women, and animals who have given their service to keep the world as good men would have it.
if i could salute with honor, by god i would, but i shall not insult you with a crappy slaute.
Seriously, many thanks.
Big huge thanks to all the brave men, women, and animals who have given their service to keep the world as good men would have it.
if i could salute with honor, by god i would, but i shall not insult you with a crappy slaute.
Seriously, many thanks.
GlenJ
Member
My father and all my uncles who served in WWII. My Dad was in the Army in Asia one of my uncles was in the Coast Guard and another ran away from home when he was 14 to join the Merchant Marines under my dad's name and rode the convoys carrying war supplies to England. After the war he joined the NAvy and served in the Sea Beas.
Dionysusigma
Member
Every one of them I'll never have the honor of meeting.
(And, of course, Gen. Tom Franks, US Army; my uncle Donald Ansley, USN; and Doc, US Army.)
By the way, Azrael256, I owe you both a beer next time he's in town.
(And, of course, Gen. Tom Franks, US Army; my uncle Donald Ansley, USN; and Doc, US Army.)
By the way, Azrael256, I owe you both a beer next time he's in town.
Last edited:
My First Cousin PVT. Rodney Perry. Drafted. Died in Vietnam. I was only 10 at the time. His service has always been honored by me. He was his mother and fathers only son. He was 19 years old. His death taught me to NEVER support anything that resembled left wing politics and the dishonor of those back home showed to men like him still and will always make my blood boil.
Crom
Member
Good thread. Thanks!
My uncle Virgil, who I never got a chance to know, killed at Iwo Jima in a kamakaze attack several years before I was born.
My father, now deceased, a 25 year Naval veteran who saw action in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
All the fathers, uncles, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters who made the supreme sacrifice and never came home.
My uncle Virgil, who I never got a chance to know, killed at Iwo Jima in a kamakaze attack several years before I was born.
My father, now deceased, a 25 year Naval veteran who saw action in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
All the fathers, uncles, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters who made the supreme sacrifice and never came home.
Lucky
Member
I think it's best to assume every soldier is a hero, by default. I don't think it's reasonable to expect witnesses to most heroic actions.
Ivy Mike
Member
I can think of three in my own family.
Paternal Grandfather was a sgt. who joined the Army near the end of WWII. He saw some action on a few pacific islands as well as being part of the occupation force in Japan. He later did some duty in Korea as an MP. May he rest in peace.
Paternal Great uncle was a sgt. who shipped out on d-day and reenforced the guys who had already stormed the beach. He was there with the division that liberated Dachau (I have pictures of him there...along with pictures of other things)
Maternal grandfather was a Seaman in the navy during the second half of WWII. He operated sonar on a couple different ships and helped keep convoys safe (some in the Atlantic, but mostly in the Pacific) from German and Japanese attack.
While neither was decorated much if any, they served their country and helped others.
I don't know if that makes them heroes to others, but they are my heroes.
Paternal Grandfather was a sgt. who joined the Army near the end of WWII. He saw some action on a few pacific islands as well as being part of the occupation force in Japan. He later did some duty in Korea as an MP. May he rest in peace.
Paternal Great uncle was a sgt. who shipped out on d-day and reenforced the guys who had already stormed the beach. He was there with the division that liberated Dachau (I have pictures of him there...along with pictures of other things)
Maternal grandfather was a Seaman in the navy during the second half of WWII. He operated sonar on a couple different ships and helped keep convoys safe (some in the Atlantic, but mostly in the Pacific) from German and Japanese attack.
While neither was decorated much if any, they served their country and helped others.
I don't know if that makes them heroes to others, but they are my heroes.
wingnutx
Member
My best friend HM2 Ruben Munoz. He was recently in Iraq as a corpsman with the 2/24 Marines, and is a paramedic with Miami-Dade FD, plus a registered nurse in a trauma center in Miami. We were in the fleet together as firefighters before we made the switch to the world of grunts, and we were lucky enough to run into each other in Baghdad.
The Corps let him have the weekend off from MOUT training to come be my best man right before we both deployed. He came in from several days in the field, walked an hour to the rental car place, then drove all night from Pendleton to Phoenix to stand up next to me.
He is a complete badass, an amazingly nice person, and both my best friend and my personal hero.
The Corps let him have the weekend off from MOUT training to come be my best man right before we both deployed. He came in from several days in the field, walked an hour to the rental car place, then drove all night from Pendleton to Phoenix to stand up next to me.
He is a complete badass, an amazingly nice person, and both my best friend and my personal hero.
1911 guy
Member
My Grandpa
My Grandfather, Benjamin H. Garlich. Drafted for WWII, boot and AIT in texas, in Europe by his 20th birthday. Survivor of Salerno Beach (dug out by 101 Airborne, went to all funerals within driving distance until he passed) marched the length of Italy, was sent to Asia after the European Theater ended, thankfully the war ended there before he went into combat. Of his unit (sorry, I don't know the numbers but it was Corps of Engineers) he was one of 16 to survive the entire war.
At Salerno Beach he vowed to become a preacher if God let him live. He was an atheist until the following day when the 101st showed up to bail them out. After discharge, attended Baptist Bible College and spent the next 37 years as a Baptist minister.
Without a doubt, the most likeable, determined, forthright and honest person I have ever known. My son, Benjamin David Garlich is named after him and my father.
My Grandfather, Benjamin H. Garlich. Drafted for WWII, boot and AIT in texas, in Europe by his 20th birthday. Survivor of Salerno Beach (dug out by 101 Airborne, went to all funerals within driving distance until he passed) marched the length of Italy, was sent to Asia after the European Theater ended, thankfully the war ended there before he went into combat. Of his unit (sorry, I don't know the numbers but it was Corps of Engineers) he was one of 16 to survive the entire war.
At Salerno Beach he vowed to become a preacher if God let him live. He was an atheist until the following day when the 101st showed up to bail them out. After discharge, attended Baptist Bible College and spent the next 37 years as a Baptist minister.
Without a doubt, the most likeable, determined, forthright and honest person I have ever known. My son, Benjamin David Garlich is named after him and my father.
1 old 0311
member
Carlos' white feather' Hatchcock. 93 confirmed kills in Vietnam. RIP.
Kevin
Kevin
Rembrandt
Member
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2003
- Messages
- 4,657
A young Lt whose patrol was caught in an ambush in Afghanistan, one of his men killed and two others badly wounded. Got the rest to a safe zone when he counted and found 4 men were missing. Took three men back into the ambush to rescue the men who were pinned down in their disabled vehicle. Jammed all 8 guys into a Humvee while under extensive enemy fire and RPG attack, high tailed it back to the safe zone with their Hummer in flames. All eight were unharmed. The young Lt is my hero, best friend, and my son.
Molon Labe
Member
steveracer
Member
"Peaches"...
...carried me away from a mob of angry Neopolitans after they beat on me for a while. 270 pound redneck from WVA named Peaches. I was pretty bloody, as the Italians were pretty pissed at me. (I was wearing my Manchester United football club jersey from England. These European soccer fans are friggin crazy!) I'm certain he saved my life, because I had worked some damage before I went down, and they were looking for revenge. God bless that man. He broke onme guys arms, picked me up fireman-style, and carried me back on board the ship, where the comfort of watchstanders with M-14s welcomed me back on US soil. I gave Peaches the jersey, which is blood stained and torn and hangs in his shop with pride.
Steve.
...carried me away from a mob of angry Neopolitans after they beat on me for a while. 270 pound redneck from WVA named Peaches. I was pretty bloody, as the Italians were pretty pissed at me. (I was wearing my Manchester United football club jersey from England. These European soccer fans are friggin crazy!) I'm certain he saved my life, because I had worked some damage before I went down, and they were looking for revenge. God bless that man. He broke onme guys arms, picked me up fireman-style, and carried me back on board the ship, where the comfort of watchstanders with M-14s welcomed me back on US soil. I gave Peaches the jersey, which is blood stained and torn and hangs in his shop with pride.
Steve.
CAS700850
Member
My grandfather, who crewed an LST in the Pacific during WWII. Spent two days in the water while injured after his LST was hit by mortar fire and sunk. Held an injured crew member until they were pulled out of the water. I have the honor of possessing his Purple Heart and his knife, the only piece of gear that he didn't ditch while in the water.
My wife's gradfather, a B-17 pilot in Europe. When his plane was hit bad, he ordered the crew out and went down with his plane, somewhere in the Channel. He eared a Brinze Star, I believe.
My wife's gradfather, a B-17 pilot in Europe. When his plane was hit bad, he ordered the crew out and went down with his plane, somewhere in the Channel. He eared a Brinze Star, I believe.
JamisJockey
member
The 4 D.I.'s who turned a once rebellious long haired teenager into a former Marine.
Also,
Rembrant's son.
Also,
Rembrant's son.
1. My father, career army man.
Volunteered in WW II. Served in combat in Europe (Italy mostly).
Served in combat in Korea.
Served in combat in Vietnam.
After surviving all that, he retired as a full Colonel, and died in a year from smoking related heart disease.
I will always remember him as my hero.
2. My nephew -- Air Force officer (now a Captain). Back seater in a F15 Strike Eagle. Was in combat over Ashcanistan during the take down of the Taliban.
Served in Iraq. He was one of those on CAP when they dug Saddam out of his hole.
He is also my hero.
And all the others serving in our Armed forces, that only their relatives and friends will ever know about. They too, are my heros.
Volunteered in WW II. Served in combat in Europe (Italy mostly).
Served in combat in Korea.
Served in combat in Vietnam.
After surviving all that, he retired as a full Colonel, and died in a year from smoking related heart disease.
I will always remember him as my hero.
2. My nephew -- Air Force officer (now a Captain). Back seater in a F15 Strike Eagle. Was in combat over Ashcanistan during the take down of the Taliban.
Served in Iraq. He was one of those on CAP when they dug Saddam out of his hole.
He is also my hero.
And all the others serving in our Armed forces, that only their relatives and friends will ever know about. They too, are my heros.
wingnutx
Member
What rate is Peaches?
JamisJockey
member
Oh, and my Grandfather.
He was a mere tank Driver in WWII. During the Battle of the Bulge, he and his crew were captured. When they were taken out to be shot, the German officers turned thier sidearms over to the POW's and surrendered. They then cooperated to get back to Allied lines.
My dad has both telegrams, the one informing my Great Grandmother of his capture, and of his release.
He was a mere tank Driver in WWII. During the Battle of the Bulge, he and his crew were captured. When they were taken out to be shot, the German officers turned thier sidearms over to the POW's and surrendered. They then cooperated to get back to Allied lines.
My dad has both telegrams, the one informing my Great Grandmother of his capture, and of his release.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked