In my opinion The Greatest Soldiers are World War I aviators. WWI aviators were seen as more than soldiers, they were the Knights of the sky. Because during WWI, airplanes were still a novelty and untested in war.
My favorites....
Major James McCudden
Gen Roy Stanley Geiger, USMC
http://www.mclm.com/tohonor/rsgeiger.html
Holds the still-standing record for being the oldest man ever to fly alone into combat. In 1943, on Guadalcanal, after hearing his pilots complain about the poor conditions, he jumped into an SBD-3 dive bomber, and bombed the Japanese supply dump at Visalia. No gunner, and no escort.
Aged 57 at the time.
Became the first Marine to lead an Army.
Took over Tenth Army upon the death of Lt Gen Simon B Buckner, jr.
Okinawa.
Good choice, Partial Panel.
By the way, nice to see another Oregon Marine (besides Hollis!) on this forum.
S/F.
At the risk of being branded a Heretic, and burned at the stake: I would almost rank "Jiggs" Geiger above ol' Chesty in the Corps' Pantheon.Originally Posted by gaijinsamurai
I don't believe in Hero-Worship, but he's close for me.
(seems to be quite a few Oreganos around here!)
I guess I never really had "a favorite Marine", although throughout the years, I have admired many of the Old Corps heroes: Mike Edson, Pappy Boyington, David Shoup, Howlin' Mad Smith, Carlos Hathcock, and of course, Chesty.
I wish I could remember his name, but there was a particular Marine who served in the OSS during WWII. He had a Spanish last name, and if I recall correctly, had a very remarkable career.
^ Col. Peter Ortiz. Served in US Marine Corps, French Foreign Legion, and OSS. Fluent in French, Spanish, Arabic, German, and of course, English.
Damn. Learn something new everyday. I'd never heard of him. I knew the actor, Robert Ryan served in the Corps, and the OSS in Yugoslavia, but that's it.
Of course, being an airdale myself, I always payed more attention to the aviators. I have a number of books on the subject, including my favorite:
Robert Sherrods' History of Marine Corps Aviation in WW11.
For Sparta !!!
Must say Infantry General Adolf Ehrnrooth
"Adolf Ehrnrooth is the face and voice most associated with rehabilitation of the fighters who secured Finland its independence. The long era during which it simply was not progressive to value the military ended in the early 1990s, at which time his charismatic persona was at its height. He became a figurehead for the whole veteran community—straight-talking and unapologetic. When he found out that many nationalist youths cited him as an idol, he blasted them squarely by saying that he might have in his own youth held nationalistic views, but that Finland's path was now in the European Union, a view the nationalists did not hold."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Ehrnrooth
What made him earn the Mannerheimcross?
Well, the greatest military to me is a French one. Capitaine (later squadron leader) Christian Prouteau, fouder and first commander (1973-1982) of the elite French unit GIGN, one of the best CT unit of the world. The unit freed over 1300 hostages under his command. He commanded 64 GIGN ops on 67 accomplished when he was commander, including several overseas (Djibouti 1976 : 30 kids hostages freed), sometimes under cover (Salvador 1979, French embassy personnel freed and terrorists surrendered before a planned assault). He was badly hurt in october 1980 by deranged person armed with a shotgun, hit in head, throat and shoulders by 54 buckshots (a month later he was present at the 7th anniversary of the GIGN, singing and playing guitar). His request to a support unit for abroad ops led to the specialization of the EPIGN in such a role and others in 1984. In 1981, he was ask to create a new unit to ensure presidential protection : the GSPR (GIGN, EPIGN and GSPR are still the three special units of French gendarmerie). He refused to command the unit and asked to come back in command of the GIGN, but he was asked to create an "anti-terrorism cell" coordinating CT for all French services. He commanded it but the ill-fated "anti-terrorism cell" was soon disactivated. Named Prefect, as well as gendarmerie Lieutenant Colonel and later colonel. Asked to command security during the 1992 Albertville olypic games.
Here a GIGN training with French .357 Magnum Manurhin MR-73 revolvers in late 1970s or early 1980s. Squadron leader Prouteau is on the right.
No-one quoted Bull Simons, Dick Meadows nor Charles Beckwith ?
Bull Simons : WWII 6th Ranger Btn. Later : SF. Commander of a White Star team in Laos early 1960s. Commanded several SF ops during Vietnam War. Led the Son Tay raid in 1970 at over 50 yrs old. Retired. Led a private rescue mission in Iran in 1978-1979 to free to Americans at over 60. Died some monthes later.
Dick Meadows : fought in Korea. Joined SF. Participated to the first SF-SAS exchange in the early 1960s. Joined MACV-SOG. Led the assault team uf the Son Tay raid (he had the idea to intentionally crash-land a helo in the prison courtyard). Ret. in 1977, advised Bechwith for the creation of the Delta Force. Sent in Teheran to covert recon and help Delta during operation Eagle Claw.
Charlie Beckwith : SAS-SF exchange with Meadows. Fought in Vietnam, especially with the B-52 unit for Project Delta. Fouded Delta Force and commanded it during operation Eagle Claw.
Last edited by Rob1bureau; 06-14-2007 at 04:33 PM.
From one site: "Leaded his regiment in great pressure during time of "great offensive" (meaning tali-ihantala).In Battle at Siiranmäki repelled 4-5 enemy divisions and caused loss of 5000 troops to enemy. In Vuosalmi personally prevented collapse of defence"
During the battle he visited front many times and raised spirits of his troops.
"We have a rather warped sense of what constitutes bravery these days. Even David Beckham is called a "Hero" for scoring a penalty, but when you look at the Victoria cross recipients and hear their stories...Enough said.
Robert Henry Cain, recipient of the Victoria Cross
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Henry_Cain
You can watch this programme made by Englishman Jeremy Clarkson about his achievmants. A little long but trust me, when you get done with this, you will personally understand how great some men can be in times of peril or violence.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LufdzZ...related&search=
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MfdvDf...related&search=
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bU4eRU...related&search=
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=P5ut9l...related&search=
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=k0U69S...related&search=
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-rabfe...related&search=
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=-MeYj7...related&search=
Last edited by "Desert Fox"; 06-21-2007 at 03:27 AM.
Share any stories you have about the best/greatest/most secret/toughest soldiers of any war, any time!
Sorry if this is a pseudo-repost.
Blair "Paddy" Mayne, most decorated allied solider of WWII, commanded the SAS from 1944, awarded 3 bars to his DSO which could and should have been the VC's, only he had a penchant for punching his superior officers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddy_Mayne
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