Gentleman I was going to tell you about how all real Marines know all three verses of our song...

But I just realized this American...

Wow. Thanks for posting

Quite a man and I had not even heard of him.

I don't think I've heard that speech before. Thank you.

No one, and I mean no one,

can ever defeat the American fighting man.

I am getting close to a decade out of my prime.

I am four decades behind the MSG.

I would still follow that man anywhere.

His biography, The Three Wars of Roy Benavidez, is worth the read.

It must be out of print as it was ridiculously priced online, but I remember downloading and reading on my iPad.

The man had a hell of a tough childhood, but he persevered and made something of himself. (To say the least)

If anyone is bored and wants to kill a day they should read his autobiography.

It is a real light, easy read but it is action packed and very informative.

While at the Army's basic NCO course which they have renamed a ton of times, I had to write a paper and give a presentation on a famous NCO.

Well MSG Benavidez was not on the list but I wanted to write about him. I had to sit before the instructors and explain why I chose this man. Well, it was approved and the rest is history.

A great soldier, speaker and individual.

This sounds corny but when my back starts giving me problems and I worry/stress/whine about whether I can make it at reclass school for Cav Scout or Tanker I think about two people.

MSG Roy Benavidez and First Sergeant Donald N. Hamblen, USMC (who lost his leg in a parachuting accident but came back to active duty)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mrapteam666,

quote:

I had to write a paper and give a presentation on a famous NCO.

No kidding. Not so famous, but a hometown hero.

He was even a Green Beret.

Literally why I joined the service.

Richard Allen Fitts. SSgt Us Army.

MIA Laos 30 Nov 1968

My mom went to school with him. Abington MA

I had plans to join the Army but ended up in
the Corps.

Que sera, sera....

I have a good pic of Ritchie's name on the glass Vietnam memorial here in Jacksonville.

Semper Fi Richie

I got to meet Sgt Benavidez a number of times, while attending Houston Veterans Day events in the early 80's with my dad. He was the nicest and most humble man you could imagine.
My dad and he were friendly and on a first name basis at these events. I have a business card of his he signed to my attention. It hangs on my dad's office wall.

He was a great American

HK Ag

Pick up the book Legend by Eric Blehm. Great read on Roy Benavidez.

Airborne, All the Way!