monty
12-22-2008, 04:27 PM
Hey Guys saw this on another forum and found it inspiring, we can always give more, not only in exercise but in life.
Monty
Larry Allen December 20th, 2008
When I was in Infantry training in the U.S.M.C. we had the honor of speaking with then Commandant General Charles Krulak. He told us about the “limits” of the human soul with the following story he witnessed while in Vietnam.
Krulak and a Platoon had been helio dropped onto an open field. Once the helicopters were out of range (sight) they began making their way to a dry river bed when they began taking heavy fire from an enemy machine gun nest. Once in the river bed Krulak began calling for air support as many of his men were still in the open and some were being killed. Suddenly the RTO (radio telephone operator) pulled on his sleeve and pointed toward the field. They both watched in amazement as a Marine, corporal Smith, charged the nest, while zigging and zagging drawing the enemy fire away from his fellow Marines and giving them time to get to the river bed and under cover. While watching, and continuing to call for air support and ordering men up the river bed to flank the enemy position the saw Corporal Smith’s body jerk and fall. He had been hit by enemy fire from a .60 caliber heavy machine gun. Yet his actions had saved the remaining lives of his squad. Back to yelling for air support and flanking the enemy Krulak’s attention was on other tasks when the RTO jerked on his sleeve and pointed again to that open field. Smith was up again! His M-16 A-1 was shouldered and he was marching, slowly, toward the enemy! 2 steps. CRACK! CRACK! on and on keeping the enemy focused on him alone. 2 steps. CRACK! CRACK!
Krulak and his men maneuvered up the river bed all the while Smith marched, 2 steps. CRACK! CRACK!
When Krulak and the rest of the platoon finally got to the machine gun nest what they found would live in their memories forever. 3 dead viet-cong lie in shambles around the nest and Smith was sprawled, face down, over the .60 caliber machine gun. The medic pulled him off but it was too late, Smith was already dead. When he opened his flack vest he discovered Smith had taken so much damage that his vest was the only thing keeping his body together! Ross you often pose the question, in so many words, “What is the limit to the human soul.” And the answer is NONE!!!
Next time any of you feel you can’t take another step remember Corporal Smith, body torn, fellow Marines, brothers, dying and JUST KEEP MARCHING!!! OOH RAH!!!
Monty
Larry Allen December 20th, 2008
When I was in Infantry training in the U.S.M.C. we had the honor of speaking with then Commandant General Charles Krulak. He told us about the “limits” of the human soul with the following story he witnessed while in Vietnam.
Krulak and a Platoon had been helio dropped onto an open field. Once the helicopters were out of range (sight) they began making their way to a dry river bed when they began taking heavy fire from an enemy machine gun nest. Once in the river bed Krulak began calling for air support as many of his men were still in the open and some were being killed. Suddenly the RTO (radio telephone operator) pulled on his sleeve and pointed toward the field. They both watched in amazement as a Marine, corporal Smith, charged the nest, while zigging and zagging drawing the enemy fire away from his fellow Marines and giving them time to get to the river bed and under cover. While watching, and continuing to call for air support and ordering men up the river bed to flank the enemy position the saw Corporal Smith’s body jerk and fall. He had been hit by enemy fire from a .60 caliber heavy machine gun. Yet his actions had saved the remaining lives of his squad. Back to yelling for air support and flanking the enemy Krulak’s attention was on other tasks when the RTO jerked on his sleeve and pointed again to that open field. Smith was up again! His M-16 A-1 was shouldered and he was marching, slowly, toward the enemy! 2 steps. CRACK! CRACK! on and on keeping the enemy focused on him alone. 2 steps. CRACK! CRACK!
Krulak and his men maneuvered up the river bed all the while Smith marched, 2 steps. CRACK! CRACK!
When Krulak and the rest of the platoon finally got to the machine gun nest what they found would live in their memories forever. 3 dead viet-cong lie in shambles around the nest and Smith was sprawled, face down, over the .60 caliber machine gun. The medic pulled him off but it was too late, Smith was already dead. When he opened his flack vest he discovered Smith had taken so much damage that his vest was the only thing keeping his body together! Ross you often pose the question, in so many words, “What is the limit to the human soul.” And the answer is NONE!!!
Next time any of you feel you can’t take another step remember Corporal Smith, body torn, fellow Marines, brothers, dying and JUST KEEP MARCHING!!! OOH RAH!!!