Military veterans stories from Hugh D. Cox, Attorney in Greenville NC, proudly representing the disabled for rightful veterans benefits, Social Security benefits and Workers Compensation throughout North Carolina
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Veteran Stories and History
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Veteran Stories and History: Recollections of being in the Military
World War II
A Leaf from this Chaplain's Diary
(1944) by Rev. Oscar B. Wooldridge
The
11th Airborne Division enters Japan (1945) by Hugh D. Cox
Sergeant Major John Diffin, 82d Airborne Division (1944) By Hugh D. Cox
An Official History of the 441st Counterintelligence
Corps
Korean War
An Official History of the 441st Counterintelligence
Corps
Vietnam War
An Unexpected Visit to Khe Sanh Hill 861 (1968) by Hugh D.
Cox
An Official History of the 441st Military
Intelligence Detachment
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The text reads:
Dec. 23, 1944 - "Battle of the Bulge" - An entire U.S. armored division was retreating from the Germans in the Ardennes forest when a sergeant in a tank destroyer spotted an American digging a foxhole. The GI, PFC Martin, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, looked up and asked, "Are you looking for a safe place?" "Yeah" answered the tanker. "Well, buddy," he drawled, "just pull your vehicle behind me ... I'm the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going.
(Recruiting Poster used by the 82d Airborne Division during the 1970's) |
A
Leaf from
this Chaplain's Diary
The
Reverend Oscar B. Wooldridge was a Navy Lieutenant and U.S. Navy Chaplain in 1944
assigned to the Mojave, California U.S. Marine training area. Later, he spent
many years as a faculty member and campus Chaplain at North Carolina State
University in Raleigh until his retirement. There are thousands and thousands of
"State" students who knew and know him personally. They
(actually, "We") are still influenced by his wise and faithful advice and
fatherly counsel. His 1944 diary entry appears below:
"It was shortly before midnight and I walked down, a long corridor of six connecting coaches to try to tell several hundred enlisted men and officers good-by. They were headed overseas. Mojave is not much of a place, but it is a station you grow to love and hate to leave. These men did not have a chaplain going with them, and I would, have given anything to have been one of their number. Some of them never went to Church, some were not saints morally or spiritually, but they were men with souls harboring part of God Himself, with potentialities of becoming like Him leaving home and family and the States to make a hazardous visit to the South Pacific.
There was Joe Luck, a Catholic boy, and a good pilot, who had narrowly escaped a plane crash about two or three months ago. We would kid each other about our difference in religious faith, even when he was recuperating in the hospital earlier this summer. But last night when we shook hands, his "say a couple of prayers for me, Padre" betrayed a deep sense of sincerity. And there was Bob Holmes, another Second Lieutenant, and Communications Officer for one of the squadrons. We had worked together on the Board of Governors of the Officers' Club. It was one of those instances when two fellows just seem to "click" Bob and myself. I'll never forget that ,day at chow when we discovered we were both brothers in the Phi Delta Theta national social fraternity. From then on it was "Brother Phi"!
In the next coach were the enlisted men, the greatest fellows in the world. These Marines, rating from MT Sgt right down to a "buck" private. The lump in my throat began to grow a bit as I recognized one of the mess men at whom we would yell when the soup was cold. If he did anything wrong at chow, the officers never failed to let him know it, but rarely did he ever get credit for doing something right. Officers are that way sometimes. With a fake smile on my face I shook hands with him saying, "Davis., I'll never forget you after all that poor chow you've dished out to us". Even if he heard me, the smile the smile he returned was a fake also. This was no time to smile. Inside every last one of those kids was a heart full of sorrow, sliced with a bit of fear. Out of all those men, only four ventured to lift a tune and appropriately enough they were singing, "Show me the way to go home".
There was a member of the Chapel Choir sitting in an aisle seat, but song was far from his lips and heart. Across from him sat a Private about thirty years old wearing handcuffs. Poor devil, he loved democracy and freedom, but he loved his wife and two kids more. He had refused to go, so the chains became necessary. He had a lot more to fight for than a single man, but he also had a lot more to lose. It's hard enough to ship over when you are leaving little ones behind, and at is much more difficult to be shipped over as a handcuffed prisoner with a court martial tacked on your record book. That's the kind of a fellow that never gets back.
My little speech sounded more hollow than ever by the time I reached the last coach. "This squadron is made up of such a good bunch of officers and men, the Marine Corps doesn't think you even need a chaplain." Probably it was the poorest sermon I ever preached as well as the shortest. Thank God for that blonde kid who saved the day by saying aloud, "I appreciated your sermon in the Chapel this morning, Chaplain. It was great". Come to find out ten of those lads within the space of a few feet attended the Protestant service that morning. For the life of me I couldn't remember having said much these men could carry with them into battle, but I hope it was due to my poor memory.
Yes, war is hell, it is not a game of football. Conditioned mentally and physically, these young thoroughbreds were heading west to participate in an International Olympic where the stakes are life and blood. The train upon which they departed was a modern invention, but the cause for their going was an antiquated outmoded method of solving the problems of human relations. For the amusement of what gods does one nation pit its youth against another until, by the process of elimination, the victor lifts his bloody head above the vanquished?
It may have been my melancholy mood. It may have been my attention was absorbed by another familiar face. It may have been I was so confused I didn't care. Yet, the train began to move before I was aware of it. Someone shouted at me and I ran toward the exit as I would escape a bad dream. My last visual impression was made by those smooth faced, young men watching me leave. May that impression remain with me until my dying day, for when that train returns many months from today, one third of those seats will be empty."
The 11th Airborne Division enters Japan (1945) by Hugh D. Cox
I hear this history from an old airborne infantry major in the 1960's who served as a rifleman Private in the 11th Airborne Division at the end of World War II. He had just been assigned to the Division at the time the Pacific war ended with Japan's surrender. His battalion was assigned to fly into an airfield near Tokyo, meet with Japanese authorities, and be transported in vehicles by the Japanese military to Yokohama harbor. Once there, the airborne element would assist harbor personal clear the harbor so large number of occupation troops could be sent into Japan through the harbor facilities.
He was with the first American military unit to enter Japan after the surrender.
Apprehension and fear were evident as this unit flew by C-47's into the Japanese airfield at night . They exited the many U.S. aircraft after landing and secured the airfield. As agreed, the Japanese military had trucks waiting for the several hour trip to the harbor. These airborne soldiers boarded the trucks and began the trip. Weapons were loaded, locked and ready because no one knew what to expect from a nation that honored sacrifice through death in battle.
As the airborne drove into the night through the urban streets all the way to the harbor, they saw hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Japanese civilians lining the streets on both sides.
No Japanese person faced the street nor looked at the U.S. troops. All had their backs to the street. The Major remembered that no U.S. soldier spoke a word on the trip. They could not see the emotions of the people, but believed many were wailing and crying.
By his profound recollection of the details, I could tell that his experience was one of the most powerful scenes he ever saw. He was also a Korean war combat veteran, but he remarked that his nightmares were most often about the memory of the masses of people with their backs to the first U.S. soldiers to enter Japan.
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Sergeant Major John Diffin, 82d Airborne Division by Hugh D. Cox
On February 7, 2007, I received a telephone call from Sergeant Major (retired) John T. Diffin who lives at 663 Horseshoe Road, Fayetteville, NC 28303-2522. I admit to some emotion in receiving the call. Sergeant Major is now age 84 and just completed his written history contribution about the 505th Parachute Regiment (of the 82d Airborne Airborne Division). He sounded as articulate, confident and professional as he did 36 years ago. He is still our hero even if he does not accept that title.
When I transferred to the elite 82d Airborne Division in 1970, the Sergeant Major of the G2 section was John T. Diffin of New York. He was quiet and thoughtful man who treated every man in the section as if that man was his son.
Then I learned that Sergeant Major Diffin had parachuted near Arnhem in Operation Market Garden in 1944. He had always been in the 82d Airborne since World War II (except for a short time as a civilian after the war). He also served in the Korean War with the 187th Regimental Combat Team (Airborne) and in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division
Although he had a close knit and religious family, Sergeant Major Diffin treated his unit like family and kept the offices and barracks with the same care one would put into one's home.
I had not yet read the book, "A Bridge Too Far" at that time so I did not yet understand the incredible disaster that awaited the British 1st Airborne Division, the U.S. 101st Airborne Division and the 82d Airborne.
His personal demeanor was and is worn with the same quiet pride of his many awards and many heroism decorations.
Sergeant Major Diffin was one of those rare and brave soldiers and professional warriors who survived many of the great battles of major wars. His contribution to the war efforts of three wars transformed world history.
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Khe Sanh Combat Base 1968
My Unexpected Visit to Khe Sanh
Hill 861 in April, 1968.
by Hugh D. Cox
In
April 1968, I was a First Lieutenant with Army Special Forces assigned to
MAC-SOG in Vietnam. I was given a mission to fly by Army helicopter to Khe
Sanh to deliver intelligence documents to our Special Forces unit located
within the Khe Sanh combat base.
The
North Vietnamese siege of the base had ended and the U.S. Marines were
dismantling much of the base. My flight was a routine one since the air
strip at Khe Sanh was not under constant indirect fire. We flew over some
of the most historic terrain of the Vietnam war including Camp Carroll,
the Rock Pile, Highway 9 before we reached the airspace over Khe Sanh.
When
we reached that area, I was astonished to see the bombing devastation on
the hills and mountains surrounding the air strip - particularly to the
West. Miles and miles of B-52 bomb craters pockmarked the landscape. There
were tens of thousands of craters within sight.
As
the helicopter descended, the pilot received an urgent mission to
undertake a medical evacuation "medevac" from a U.S. Marine
outpost. The pilot quickly gained altitude and flew northwest from the air
strip to a mountain ridge about 2,700 feet high. When we approached the
ridge, I could see that it was almost like a knife edge with very steep
ridges dropping away from the long spine of the mountain. The pilot asked
me to jump off when we reached the mountain top ridge. He explained that
he needed no extra weight and promised he would return for me. As the only
passenger, I jumped from about 10 feet above the ridge.
I
was on Hill 861 and it was one of those war experiences one can never
forget.
I
was not certain how long I was there. Time spent waiting in a war is
irrelevant.
This
mountain ridge was manned by "A" company, 1st Battalion of the
1st Marine Division (which had recently replaced K company of the 26th
Marine Regiment). I saw only a few Marines during my visit.
Several
Marines were moving about. Each acted in very exhausted slow motion
carrying canteens, supplies and ammunition back and forth. Their young
faces all had heavy beards and deep set eyes. I simply watched them as I
sat down with my briefcase and weapon. It was as if they had always been
there in filthy, damp and torn uniforms. They moved deliberately in spite
of their distant stares. They seemed so young and I felt so old at age 25.
These Marines were experienced combat veterans deprived of adolescence.
They carried simple things like water and food as if it was for holy
communion. Anyone who saw them on that day in 1968 would be proud to be
with them even for a short period of time.
No
one spoke to me. These Marines seemed busy and unconcerned about my
presence. It was as if I had always been there sitting on the ground in my
clean uniform and green beret clutching my briefcase and M16.
Their
defensive position along the mountain ridge was one of the most precarious
I had ever seen. These Marines occupied the spine of the ridge for only
about 10 meters down the steep ridges from the top. Then there was another
10 meters of cut down vegetation probably filled with mines. Beyond, the
heavy jungle loomed just 20 to 30 meters away. The North Vietnamese could
have been upon us within seconds. I looked over the other side of the
ridge. The defensive setup was the same on both sides of the mountain.
Hill 861 seemed to be an invitation to attack.
I
thought it was best to wait until I was spoken to. The Marines knew I was
there. Army types know that Marines are different. I located a
foxhole to move to if needed. I tried not to show my growing anxiety.
This
strategic combat location was the bloodiest Vietnam ridge I ever visited.
Each attack on Hill 861 was a potential enemy victory. Holding this ridge
seemed doubtful to me. I admit I was scared.
I
had read the reports of the battles along these mountains and ridges.
Hundreds of Marines were killed or wounded in taking Hill 861 and the
nearby mountain tops like Hill 881 South and Hill 881 North. Brave NVA
soldiers took even more casualties in those battles. In January, 1968, the
Marines had to take the ridge more than once to secure it. It came under
serious attack again in July, 1968 - after my short visit. Once secured in
January 1968, Hill 861 remained firmly in Marine hands.
Finally
after a long period of sitting, I was approached by one young Marine who
asked me how he could transfer to the Army. He seemed dead serious.
I
do not remember my answer. We talked for a half hour in quiet tones while
I constantly scanned the tree line below for enemy movement.
Everyone
knew the elite 324th NVA Division was in this area.
Within
a few hours,
the helicopter returned to pick me up.
During
my visit, I knew I was among special men who could be measured by a simple
yardstick of courage and trust. Race, class and family background meant
nothing on that ridge. I was deeply moved by each man's simple act of
sharing with his brothers.
Since
that day, I always speak of U.S. Marines in very respectful terms. I will
never forget the Corps' finest on Hill 861.
written
on September 28, 1999
The Blood Chit was used on the British model by United States pilots and air crews who found themselves downed behind enemy lines seeking assistance in escape and evasion. These Blood Chit items were made of silk or other cloth materials. Often worn on the back of a flight jacket, the blood chit was unique to that individual based on the identity number on the chit. Civilians who successfully assisted air crew members were rewarded by the United States Government. Civilians who assisted held the air crew members as captives until positive identification could be made using fingerprints and confirmed by radio transmission. This fascinating history involved a complex evolution for the protection of civilians and air crew members. Below is a "training" blood chit example.
More Recruiting Posters
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for more information about Hill 861, see:
http://www.geocities.com/d_carmichael99/dalebasepage.htm
(linked with permission of Dave
Carmichael hoagy@erols.com )
visitors since November 15, 1999
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