While Serving, What’s a Time You Remember Someone Who Went Above and Beyond to Help You Out? Login & Share to Win!

I joined the Navy at 15 years old during the Korean war falseifying my birth certificate, I reenlisted under the same birth certificate. I was assigned to Patrol Squadron Four and decided to marry a Japanese Girl (thiis was in 1955) when I applied to the navy I had to state my real age. even though the UCMJ was very specific about this my Commander went to bat for me and wrote the dept of the navy and told them how good I was They wrote back and said that it was a court martial offense, but that I had better never do that again! and corrected my records.

The day I ended my tour and Vietnam and was taken out of the field by a helicopter straight to my flight to Tokyo back to the real world. It was just like business as usual for this team to come get me out of a hot landing zone and taxi me to my ride back home. It just didn’t seem real. These teams also brought us our mail and cold beer almost daily while we were out humping in the rice patties and clearing villages,, something straight out of Full Metal Jacket or some crazy war movie.

The only other one I can think of...might meet the request: I took up the Regiment flag during a loooong run. We were headed down a steep hill on Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. I made it uuuuup the hill, just a hair to the end of the Regiment...and the turn to downhill, when...I crapped out like 5 pounds loosely floppin' about in a 10 pound bag. Like a fish dropped on the dock. Some mighty and young SPC took the flag from me and scooted away to my gasped, "thank you, Specialist". Embarrassing but I was so grateful!

I also want to thank my army veteran parents who supported me prior to leaving, wrote me TONS of letters (I preferred them, more sentimental), for handling my finances, and always being the shoulders I could lean on in laughter or in tears. They did so much for me after I got out as well and I'll always be thankful for them.

While I was in the navy, I had a 1st class petty officer who as soon as I got on the boat made me laugh and took me under his wing to train me and get me prepped for aviation fuel handling. He was volunteering at the time to work with the MAs as armed security but he would find time after our shifts to help me study on how to hand aviation fuel, the different parts of the pump and filtration systems, where all the valves leading to the flight deck were etc. He was a great teacher. But he was also a great true friend. Numerous times he would pick me up when I was intoxicated and would take me to my apartment and put me to bed then leave, checking on me via text the next morning. When I had a traumatic event happen (medically), he was there to support me emotionally and would check on me daily, as my division at the time would have me muster then send me home to cope with what I had been through.
I got volunteered to go to security for TAD. And as usual, he was there to help me train, study to make 3rd class (which I did) and helped me get through a rough marriage I was in. To this day, we keep in touch and I am so grateful to call him not only my mentor but my friend. I know this comment won't compare to many who have gone through much more than I had, but to me he went above and beyond.

I was thinking about bailing from USN, and a real great CPO and his wife invited me over to their home for dinner. Chief was a "Brown Water Navy" guy from Nam. He was showing me his Nam stuff and GAVE ME his RIVRON 15 CAMO BERET and said "LT, we need good officers. Stay in the Navy." I did

in 1981 when I arrived at Camp Pendleton CA after Marine Corps boot camp I was met with mixed welcome. There were over 600 men at my battalion when us three females arrived. Thank God for Master Gunnery Sergeant Willie Washington. He "protected" me from others doing their best to make my life a living hell at work. He was old school. Joined the MC when it was segregated, had scares on his head from Vietnam, and like to "tip it" often. He spoke up for me. He assured me that I was doing a great job and was needed. Despite not being permitted to socialize due to our ranks he let me stay with him and his girlfriend out in town on the weekends. I've tried to find him these later years with no luck. I'll never forget and will always have a grateful spot in my heart for Master Gunny. Semper Fi

A couple of days ago I posted here on Ralley Point about a 2nd Lt on Okinawa. Our daughter was born on Okinawa the Lt. was my OIC and he insisted that I take leave to enjoy being a father he didn't allow the S-1 to charge me leave I had it but he said nope go home where you belong. I had previously posted that the 2nd Lt. was very young and stuck to me like glue in my arm pit. My reputation was intact. Thank you Captain George DuPont. Semper Fi Sir

I had a problem about a mustache when I requested it after twenty days at my duty station. to return to Vietnam. I had strong feelings about it as I had already spent 19 months in country. I had requested mast, seeing a Marine Captain, things did not go well and he would not allow me to go higher in the chain-of-command. I informed him that I would write my congressman. I had other problems as my mother was attempting to stop my return. That part was easily handled as I signed a waiver. Push came to shove and if I missed the ship, I would not be able to return to the Nam. I relented and shaved so I could return. As soon as I boarded the ship, I started growing it back. I was confused when the Gunny, laughing told me to grow it but I had already started. Nothing more was said until just before we landed and a letter from my congressman was delivered by the Gunny. ( They kept it secret until just before landing) He was livid and wanted to go after the Congressman. By this time I had cooled down and wrote back that if I had been the Captain, I might have done the same as combat is not a place for challenging higher ranks. I told him to drop the case. When I disembarked the ship a full-Bird-Colonel was waiting to see me. He told me if he ever saw me without a mustache, he would court-marshell me. ( He did not know I had dropped the case) I was sent to Kelo-three-one as a Scout-Sargent. My company commander liked me because I never complained about going on patrols and I did my job. He finally told me that the Colonel was calling almost daily to check on me. He wanted me on patrols as much as possible. The Captain did not say it but hinted that as long as I was alive and not wounded, the Colonel would be a problem for the Captain. He offered me a job that he knew nothing about except I would be working for the Americal Division in Chu Lai. He left the choice up to me. I took it to take the pressure off him. I spent six months with 2 Marine Pilots and another Marine Sargent. We cleared and set up Ark Light, B-52 missions. It was almost totally safe, with no hard duty and day on and one day off. I wish I could remember his name to thank him.

I had to check aboard CVN 65 on my 21st Birthday on a Friday (Leave extension Denied) the Yeoman Stop in the middle of my check in said he was to busy to complete and to com back Monday! I will always remember that man.