Retired Green Beret, CIA contractor still ready for action

[MEGR]

By BILL KACZOR
Associated Press Writer
NICEVILLE, Fla.
Billy Waugh traces a burning desire to serve his country to Dec. 7, 1941 when Sheriff Ed Cartwright ordered the movie stopped at the Strand Theater in Bastrop, Texas, to announce that Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor.

Waugh, who popped popcorn at the theater, was only 12 and too young to fight in World War II, but at 18 he enlisted in the Army. He saw combat as a paratrooper in Korea and a Green Beret in Vietnam, where he was wounded eight times in 7 1/2 years.

After retiring as a sergeant major he became an independent contractor for the CIA. In his 60s, Waugh spied on Osama bin Laden and tracked down "Carlos the Jackal," celebrated his 72nd birthday in Afghanistan with a rifle slung over his shoulder and then served similar duty for the spy agency at 74 in Iraq last year.

Still trim and muscular from a regimen of jogging, push-ups and sit-ups, Waugh at 75 is ready to go again if his country calls. He says all he needs is 20 minutes and some cash.

"I know how war is fought and special operations," Waugh said at his home in a gated community just outside Niceville in the Florida Panhandle. "If I can be of help I want to be there. It's my duty. It has been since World War II began."

Continued here: http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050806/APN/508060506

[Aerosoul]

Holy ****. Now that is the type of man this country should salute at any given moment. :| Keep on rockin in the free world.

[Deuterium]

I got to meet him and worked briefly with him (and I do mean briefly). He is definitely a legend.

[MEGR]

I was in awe when I heard about his exploits from Korea to the GWOT. This dude is plain amazing.

[ReconCominAtYa]

Now if only people like this doubled as politicians.

[usa320]

Wow. Badass.

[Backwoodshunter]

Talk about a legend, hes got a book out on his life, "Hunting the Jackal"

[fatsack]

Talk about a legend, hes got a book out on his life, "Hunting the Jackal"

i read it-i highly recommend
he had seven or eight purple hearts in vietnam and went into astan at 74!??!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060564091/qid=1123558804/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_sbs_1/002-1142827-2261613?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[AOCBravo2004]

wow, that is an incredible story. Reminds me of Lt Col Robert Smith. Started out his career as an enlisted soldier in World War II, served in Easy, 506th. Ended up in SF, and served as an advisor for 1st SFOD-D after retirement of course, and tried to go into Iran in 1980, but the CIA did not permit this because of all the info he knew.

[CarlosI]

Why does it seem that alot more old/older men are more willigly to fight then todays 20 something youth?

[digrar]

wow, that is an incredible story. Reminds me of Lt Col Robert Smith. Started out his career as an enlisted soldier in World War II, served in Easy, 506th. Ended up in SF, and served as an advisor for 1st SFOD-D after retirement of course, and tried to go into Iran in 1980, but the CIA did not permit this because of all the info he knew.

He also wrote to **** Winters in late 1979 and said he'd take the men in Easy Company over the the troops in Delta.

[AOCBravo2004]

wow, that is an incredible story. Reminds me of Lt Col Robert Smith. Started out his career as an enlisted soldier in World War II, served in Easy, 506th. Ended up in SF, and served as an advisor for 1st SFOD-D after retirement of course, and tried to go into Iran in 1980, but the CIA did not permit this because of all the info he knew.

He also wrote to **** Winters in late 1979 and said he'd take the men in Easy Company over the the troops in Delta.

Speaking of Major Winters, I was at Barnes & Noble the other day and noticed his biography has been released! I'm going to buy it next time I go, which is a once a week trip. I need a new book shelf.

[digrar]

Any idea on what the title was?

[James]

Any idea on what the title was?

Biggest Brother

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0451215109/qid=1123570667/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-5845633-5145412

[digrar]

Cheers mate.

[Ballistic]

Any idea on what the title was?

Biggest Brother

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0451215109/qid=1123570667/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-5845633-5145412

Fantastic mate !! This will surely be a good read !!


Why does it seem that alot more old/older men are more willigly to fight then todays 20 something youth?

Because they were brought up in a different time.

This guy is a legend !!

[Seraphim]

If only you could bundle those two books together...

[dacanadianbomb]

i ran across Billy Waughn books by mistake, and pleasantly surprised by its quality. Definately worthwhile read.

[Andreas]

This guy is one serious character.. Talk about long career!

John wayne,rambo,chuck norris,superman, eat your heart out..

Cheers Andreas

[usafbalad]

Thats ****ing crazy! Niceville is right outside of my base. I know we have badasses that live around here (PJ's, CCT, TACP, RANGERS) but didnt know we would have something like him.

[ComradeStalin]

That guys got my respect, ps who sings this song
Keep on rockin in the free world.

[usafbalad]

Keep on rockin in the free world.

Neil Young

[ComradeStalin]

thanx

[RecceGuy]

Now if only people like this doubled as politicians.

Unfortunately they can't because people like this have standards and morals.