thedrifter
10-03-03, 06:12 AM
Submitted by: MCRD Parris Island
Story Identification Number: 20031021376
Story by Cpl. Jennifer Brofer
MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C.(Oct. 3, 2003) -- Wearing their immaculate Dress Blue uniforms, soon-to-be drill instructors and permanent personnel from Recruit Training Regiment attended their annual Dress Mess Night at Traditions Sept. 23.
In addition to the traditional fines, toasts and ceremonial cigars, the Mess Night also featured a special guest speaker, retired Col. Wesley Fox, Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient and author of the book "Marine Rifleman: 43 Years in the Corps," who shared his thoughts on the Marine Corps.
Fox was awarded the Medal of Honor as a first lieutenant in 1971 for his actions on Feb. 22, 1969, as commanding officer for 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, also known as "The Walking Dead," during Operation Dewey Canyon.
Recalling the dense, thick fog and misty rain of the A Shau Valley, Fox said he could not see anything more than the Marine on the right or left of him, and moved only to the sound of the enemy's rain of fire.
"It was a hell of a way to fight a war, like a children's game of Hide and Seek, only deadlier and it wasn't a game by any means," he said.
All of his platoon leaders were killed, but he continued to direct the movement of his Marines despite bleeding wounds from flying shrapnel.
"I doubt there's any real way you can prepare yourself for something like that," he said addressing the Marines. "You just have to be confident in yourself - in your team. What really keeps you going is you don't want to look bad to the Marines on your right or left because you know you're doing this for each other. Camaraderie is what it's all about. If you fall, they'll be there to pick you up."
Fox retired after 43 years of service, only after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 62. He earned the unique distinction of working his way up each Marine rank, from private to colonel.
A lot changed in the Marine Corps since his retirement, but for the better, said Fox.
"[The Marine Corps] is a whole lot better trained and equipped, and we're a lot more professional today than we were in the 50's," he said. "We never had any equipment or blank ammunition for training exercises. We just went 'Bang! Bang! Bang!' like in a game of cops and robbers."
Throughout his many years in the Corps, Fox said he made a lot of mistakes, but he learned a valuable lesson from it all.
"Sometimes it's better to keep our mouths shut, say 'Aye, sir' and do it," he said.
Fox concluded his address to the future drill instructors by saying, "Everyone from the Secretary of State on down knows that Marines are the force that gets things done. If it's tough and it needs to be done, give it to the Marines. Not everybody is suited to be in the Marines though, and it's your job to weed out those who do not belong here."
Fox's speech seemed to have struck a cord with many of the Marines present.
"I thought his speech was very enlightening ... he was motivating," said Lance Cpl. David Lewis, administration clerk at Drill Instructor School who attended his first Mess Night. "There aren't a lot of living Medal of Honor winners out there."
With their medals glistening under the chandelier lights, all the Marines stood and concluded the Mess Night by raising their glasses in a toast to all the Marines who serve in the Corps today, and to those who served valiantly in past conflicts and never survived to wear the nation's highest honor.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/68C94F3AA49A17E285256DB3005E08AF?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Story Identification Number: 20031021376
Story by Cpl. Jennifer Brofer
MCRD/ERR PARRIS ISLAND, S.C.(Oct. 3, 2003) -- Wearing their immaculate Dress Blue uniforms, soon-to-be drill instructors and permanent personnel from Recruit Training Regiment attended their annual Dress Mess Night at Traditions Sept. 23.
In addition to the traditional fines, toasts and ceremonial cigars, the Mess Night also featured a special guest speaker, retired Col. Wesley Fox, Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient and author of the book "Marine Rifleman: 43 Years in the Corps," who shared his thoughts on the Marine Corps.
Fox was awarded the Medal of Honor as a first lieutenant in 1971 for his actions on Feb. 22, 1969, as commanding officer for 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, also known as "The Walking Dead," during Operation Dewey Canyon.
Recalling the dense, thick fog and misty rain of the A Shau Valley, Fox said he could not see anything more than the Marine on the right or left of him, and moved only to the sound of the enemy's rain of fire.
"It was a hell of a way to fight a war, like a children's game of Hide and Seek, only deadlier and it wasn't a game by any means," he said.
All of his platoon leaders were killed, but he continued to direct the movement of his Marines despite bleeding wounds from flying shrapnel.
"I doubt there's any real way you can prepare yourself for something like that," he said addressing the Marines. "You just have to be confident in yourself - in your team. What really keeps you going is you don't want to look bad to the Marines on your right or left because you know you're doing this for each other. Camaraderie is what it's all about. If you fall, they'll be there to pick you up."
Fox retired after 43 years of service, only after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 62. He earned the unique distinction of working his way up each Marine rank, from private to colonel.
A lot changed in the Marine Corps since his retirement, but for the better, said Fox.
"[The Marine Corps] is a whole lot better trained and equipped, and we're a lot more professional today than we were in the 50's," he said. "We never had any equipment or blank ammunition for training exercises. We just went 'Bang! Bang! Bang!' like in a game of cops and robbers."
Throughout his many years in the Corps, Fox said he made a lot of mistakes, but he learned a valuable lesson from it all.
"Sometimes it's better to keep our mouths shut, say 'Aye, sir' and do it," he said.
Fox concluded his address to the future drill instructors by saying, "Everyone from the Secretary of State on down knows that Marines are the force that gets things done. If it's tough and it needs to be done, give it to the Marines. Not everybody is suited to be in the Marines though, and it's your job to weed out those who do not belong here."
Fox's speech seemed to have struck a cord with many of the Marines present.
"I thought his speech was very enlightening ... he was motivating," said Lance Cpl. David Lewis, administration clerk at Drill Instructor School who attended his first Mess Night. "There aren't a lot of living Medal of Honor winners out there."
With their medals glistening under the chandelier lights, all the Marines stood and concluded the Mess Night by raising their glasses in a toast to all the Marines who serve in the Corps today, and to those who served valiantly in past conflicts and never survived to wear the nation's highest honor.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/68C94F3AA49A17E285256DB3005E08AF?opendocument
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: