Did you serve or report to any Military Legends ?

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 12:59:34 -0400

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 19 at 2016 1:01 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 13:01:29 -0400

Not while actually serving in the military, but I have done military simulation events with Col. Danny McKnight.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Jul 19 at 2016 1:03 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 13:03:20 -0400

I once got to brief "Son of Tank", does that count?

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Jul 19 at 2016 1:03 PM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 13:03:31 -0400

I served under Chesty Puller when he was Lt General and Commanded the FMF Atlantic & participated in his last formal review of the troops at Camp Geiger NC in August 1955.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 19 at 2016 1:06 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 13:06:41 -0400

Wished I had.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 1:07 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 13:07:23 -0400

I guess those who were legends in their own mind wouldn't count. Sgt Tom Cunnally

Response by PO3 Steven Stinnett made Jul 19 at 2016 1:10 PM

PO3 Steven Stinnett — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 13:10:59 -0400

I met 'PAPPY' Boyington on an assignment, he gave me an autograph signed biography which I gave to my daughter when she graduated from U.S.A.F.A., 1999.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 1:14 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 13:14:41 -0400

In SAC under Gen LeMay.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 19 at 2016 1:18 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 13:18:08 -0400

My unit commander with whom I once got to chat, as I'd mentioned on here elsewhere a couple of times, was à very heavily decorated Vietnam war hero. He flew 174 combat missions in an OV-10 Bronco, I met him as a Col, though he'd been selected for BGen, and was waiting to pin on. I only recall albeit very vividly the sheer overwhelming raw emotional power of the man, and that he very def helped me, I'd hope, to be a fner human being for having had the privilege to know him. My PMS and Assoc PMS in an army ROTC program I'd been in before going USAF ultimately were both very real Vietnam war ground heroes as well, the PMS kindled my interest in mil host and wargaming awarding me the Assoc of the US Army and us army ROTC mil just award for 1978, when I was a jopunor in the program, they too helped me perceptibly. The Col of my USAF unit also gave me a plaque for some work I'd done at an award ceremony, which candidly, I hadn't expected , by any means, in all honesty. Then too while I'd been at USAF OTS, and once later on after I'd gotten off active, I'd actually met two separate Apollo astronauts, then one while at USAF OTS was evidently a personal friend of the OTS commandant, we had all been invited to meet him as we were all going for science and or engineering, which that Apollo astronaut obv was, we has gathered. Then too, the OTS commandant, with whom I interacted a cpl of times, was most impressive. I also met the commander of my installation, another Col, and also once saluted our USAF divisional commander, a Lt Gen, who'd been passing me in his staff car, driving opposite me on base, hope that was all of interest, many thanks.

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Jul 19 at 2016 2:11 PM

MGySgt James Forward — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 14:11:27 -0400

Had the pleasure of working for General Conway...Twice; once at 1st marine Division and again as I MEF CG. Also had the distinct honor of serving with General Mattis. All I can say is "What a Hoot!". Two great Americans! Semper Fi.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 19 at 2016 2:12 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 14:12:17 -0400

I served very shortly under LTG HR McMasters when he took command or 3ACR.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Jul 19 at 2016 3:39 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 15:39:52 -0400

My brush with "history"...
Then Captain Richard Buchanan, (now RADM Ret) was my CO at ComSubGru 7. While he was CO of the USS Parche (SSN 683), the sub was awarded the PUC for classified operations. In the book "Blind Man's Bluff", President Reagan called him a "modern day John Wayne". He was a big intimidating guy, about 6'5-6'6.

As a contractor, I met Oliver North in Kuwait while in line at a porta john. We were waiting for our flight to Iraq. He was on assignment for Fox. Nice guy, smaller than i expected, maybe 5'8. Offered to share his beef jerky while waiting on the bus to go to the airfield. Very accommodating with the troops, shaking hands, taking photos.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 19 at 2016 4:08 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 16:08:48 -0400

Sgt Tom Cunnally, I served in the 20th Special Forces Group (Airborne) when COL Ola Lee Mize was the Senior Army Advisor there in the early seventies. He received the Medal of Honor for actions in Korea and later served three tours with Special Forces in Vietnam. He was small, slender and was an ornery cuss, even in his later years. If he started walking down the hall, people would scatter. I met him once. He was a most impressive and intimidating man!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ola_L._Mize

Ola L. Mize - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ola Lee Mize (August 28, 1931 – March 12, 2014) was a United States Army officer and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Korean War.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 4:21 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 16:21:03 -0400

command chief petty officer dan rather, medic, navy seal vietnam

Response by MSgt Michael Bischoff made Jul 19 at 2016 4:26 PM

MSgt Michael Bischoff — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 16:26:26 -0400

I worked for everyone in the Air Forces favorite General McPeak when he was a lowly wing commander at RAF Upper Heyford, England.

Does that count??

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jul 19 at 2016 5:08 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 17:08:28 -0400

Then LTC David Petraeus was my Bn Cdr, 3/187 INF 1992-1993.

Response by PO3 Steven Stinnett made Jul 19 at 2016 6:53 PM

PO3 Steven Stinnett — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 18:53:30 -0400

My father served with Gen. Patton until he was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge.

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Jul 19 at 2016 7:27 PM

SP5 Joel O'Brien — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 19:27:07 -0400

Not really, but I was in West Berlin at a time when AF Col. Gail Halvorsen(of Berlin Airlift fame)was in charge of Templehof Central Airport. Just knowing what he and hundreds of other Allied Force members did for Berliners staggers the mind.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 19 at 2016 8:52 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 20:52:46 -0400

Not by the usual definition but most legends are never recognized as such. I guess the "legends" I served were movie stars when I was working as a nurse aide at Motion Picture Hospital back in the day. I took care of, hence got to know, a Stooge, two Tarzans, Tonto, Bud Abbott, and others. Wish I could remember the stories they'd tell. When my wife became a respiratory therapist, she did care for one of my Tarzans so I guess it runs in the family. Unfortunately on the MIL side, we can rattle off a long list of Alpha Hotels we reported to with the legend list being on a Post-It.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 20 at 2016 1:12 AM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 01:12:51 -0400

While I didn't serve under or report to him, US Navy Captain John Ensch was my first reenlisting Officer. Then LT Ensch was a Radar Intercept Officer on a F4B Phantom assigned to VFA 161 when he and his pilot LCDR Michael Doyle were shot down shortly after takeoff on 25AUG72. LT Ensch was held in the Hanoi Hilton and released in 1973's Operation Homecoming. LCDR Doyle's remains were returned to the US in July 1985.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 20 at 2016 3:18 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 03:18:50 -0400

Depends, Kind of Relative I guess. I was sent to CINCPACFLT right out of A School so I was on Thomas T Hayward's Staff from the get go. Nature of my Work I attended a Lecture by RADM Grace Hopper. I was Master at Arms to Chief of Staff COMSPAWARSYSCOM While in DC but Primarily I was Aid de Campe of CAPT Margie Turner the First Female Black Captain Line Officer USN and my Disbursing Officer onboard USS California CGN-36 was Mr David Robinson the Basketball Star so I can say I met some interesting people in my Career.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Jul 26 at 2016 10:42 PM

LTC John Mohor — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 22:42:09 -0400

Does my BSM being signed by LTG David Petraeus count? I served a couple rungs down the ladder from him in 2004. That's the closest I ever was to working for a Military Legend. Now my Dad's friend a three war Marine actually worked for Chesty Puller between WWII and Korea. That's cool that you served under LTG Puller SGT Cunnally!

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Jul 31 at 2021 2:44 PM

SSG Harry Herres — Sat, 31 Jul 2021 14:44:52 -0400

Yes!!! My dad. WW2. Served in OSS behind German lines then in China behind Japanese lines. First 100 advisor in Vietnam 1955. Then 10 Special forces Germany. Served 60 years with him. he enlisted in 1939 retired in 1965 as a LTC.

Response by SGT Lou Meza made Aug 14 at 2021 5:30 PM

SGT Lou Meza — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 17:30:22 -0400

I served with LTC Bruce Crandall recipient of the Medal of Honor . I was his doorgunner a few times . A co. 229th AHB 1st Cav. Div. He is a legend in my book .

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 14 at 2021 6:03 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 18:03:41 -0400

I was the Deputy CHOPS CJ33 for GEN Petraeus. Used to brief him daily and build staff products for him.

I supported LTG McMaster when he was Blackhorse 3 in 11th ACR. First ROC drill I attended as a 1LT deputy SPO, he bumped a Regiment Staffer out of the front row and told me to sit next to him. He valued logistics.

GEnerals Milley and McConnvile were the DCGs when I was the Currahee SPO in the 101st ABN. Used to brief them periodically. GEN McConnville and are from the same small town. GEN Milley got stranded by weather at our FOB. He was senior rating my BC. So we supported GEN Milley for four days or so. Vividly remember him crashed out hard in my BC’s vacant rack. BC stranded at the FOB Salerno by same weather. FOB Great guy. Helped him solve some Division issues with the BSB staff. He was very gracious with our young staff working their butts off.

I went to the SPO Course with the last Chief of Ordnance BG Michelle Letcher. We were Captains.

I worked for MG Vincent Boles in OIF. I was his only company commander in AMC FWD.

Response by SGT Joe Downs made Aug 15 at 2021 12:26 PM

SGT Joe Downs — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 12:26:46 -0400

CSM(Ret) Joseph Bossi. [My FIRST SGT-1977-1979] GEN(Ret) John A Wickham. [Pinned my wings on me]. And EVERY Officer and Trooper of Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division! Right along with EVERY Brother-In-Arms that wore a uniform with me, before and after! WE ALL be Brothers.