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The US Special Forces have a phrase that's spoken over the radio when a firefight is going badly or when courage needs to be summoned. They call out - tango mike mike. If you every heard this you were more than likely in the hurt and know this - however this is the history behind its meaning.
http://www.garfieldsteamhouse.org/History/Vietnam/TangoMikeMike-RoyBenavidez.php
http://www.garfieldsteamhouse.org/History/Vietnam/TangoMikeMike-RoyBenavidez.php
Special Forces
Military History
Medal of Honor
Vietnam War
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
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David I put in many years as an SF guy and MSG Roy Benavidez has been at the top of my hero list the entire time. I have no idea how many times I have read his MOH award citation. I am so humbled to know I served in the same Army but I am so proud because I served in the same Army.
A true hero
A true hero
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SPC David S.
LTC Jeff Shearer - I know a number of guys from 20th that were KIA - but I knew Chris from when we were just kids - that one hurt. Still talk to his sister from time to time via Facebook.
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LTC Jeff Shearer
wow David, Chris was a 20+ year friend of mine. We met when I was a 2LT and he was a CPL. He had just finished the SFQC and was very young. Chris was one of the best Special Forces Communications guys I have ever met. David I was the BN S3 when he was KIA and I was crushed. Man sorry for dumping all that on you but I guess I needed to tell you.
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1LT Voyle Smith
There’s a little beer joint on the edge of Ft Sam Houston in San Antonio called “The Drop Zone” where Roy and his buds would gather after duty hours to tell their tales to strangers. The walls of that place are covered in photos of Roy and his friends knocking back a few. I and a few of my friends would meet there once each month to raise a glass to Roy and his memory. The problems with trying to make a film of his exploits is first, the storyline would seem unbelievable and second is finding someone willing to risk his life to make the action credibile.
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SPC David S.
LTC Jeff Shearer - No need to apologize. That's what makes the military community great at times. Being able to share details which help others fill in the blanks. I was in the same BN as Chris's father and we would all go for runs in our boots around the neighborhood. I made a trip down to MS to pay my respects and to have one last beer together. Truly a great guy.
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Amazing story. I am humbled by the heroic and courageous actions of some truly great Americans.
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LTC (Join to see)
SPC David S. - There are a lot of good stories out there that should be made into movies.
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LTC Jeff Shearer
SPC David S. - David I could not agree more, the whole thing, not just the MOH part.
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Reagan's Remarks on Presenting the Medal of Honor to Roy P. Benavidez — 2/24/81
For more information on the ongoing works of President Reagan's Foundation, please visit http://www.reaganfoundation.org
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Hats off to a war hero. He is not a hero because he was in a war. He is a hero because he did not give up. I never knew he existed until this post brought him up. Semper Fi!
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LTC Jeff Shearer
SSG Barrows, the majority of people would have quit and died, it was not that he was bigger or meaner than anyone else but he had a mission and was not going to stop until it was done. DOL, Semper Fi!
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I had heard the story of SFC Benavidez before, but I have never heard of the Tango Mike Mike portion of the story. Thanks for sharing.
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Sorry I have gotten off on somewhat of a TBI rant with this.
To many of our Nation have the wrong Idea of what a hero is. Its not some jackass who works 6 months a year in DC and thinks they have it hard. Its not some jackass who will not stand for the National Anthem, its great warriors like the MSG. I am going to stop here before I offend everyone including myself.
To many of our Nation have the wrong Idea of what a hero is. Its not some jackass who works 6 months a year in DC and thinks they have it hard. Its not some jackass who will not stand for the National Anthem, its great warriors like the MSG. I am going to stop here before I offend everyone including myself.
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