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

My boss In Pleiku Province was Col. Lee. I had orders to go to Ft. Lenorude, LA. Col. Lee said go to Ft. Lewis, Major General Willard Pearson will change your orders, he did as we both had the same last name. Col. Lee supported my team in the field, and he made sure all his advisors were taken care of in living in the jungle of Pleiku.

SFCgave good council to avoid reduction in rank.

LTC Goff. I had gotten myself into a jam and he chose not to end my career.

ISG Mile Hunt who is on the other side on the high ground securing the wire waiting for the rest of his brothers and sisters to join him. In some truly dark personal times he was there to make sure I pulled through. I will never forget what he did for me throughout our time together, he was my platoon sergeant and 1SG, brother and friend.

My story is a little on the funny side. I was assigned to the US Disciplinary Barracks Ft Leavenworth, KS. One of the first people I met was a marine Master Sergeant. When I talked to him, I called him Gunny. any marine knows a Marine Master Sergeant isn't a gunny, but I was Army, and not familiar with Marine ranks. Master Sergeant Moses told one of his marines to teach me about Marine ranks. Master Sergeant Moses was the most influential NCO's of my military carreer.

I owe a lot to first class engineman Bill Dodds for pushing me to go ahead and do things I thought I did not know how to do but as he told me common sense is half of all repair jobs.

My Senior NCO that got me into the service went above and beyond. He made sure that everything was in place for me to be successful and even got me into Airborne School. He was always training and supporting me.

I remember with gratitude my battalion commander at Ft. Campbell. My ROTC obligation was over. He helped me decide among options for my future. With his experience, guidance and patient explanations, he helped me decide on a career which in hindsight was best for my family. I am forever grateful to him for taking the time to help me.

1974, when Two star General Marks traveled over 100 miles from Fairbanks to Ft. Greely to give me a Letter of Commendation and my promotion to SPC4. This was early in the year, and the AlCan highway was still a gravel road. That took over a half a day of his time that he didn't have to do.

My Chief taught me alot about leadership more than the rate. He told me that the rating stuff will come to you but the leadership style will either make you or break you with your peers and subordinates alike. He eventually became my detailer and he called me from DC while I was still on the ship and offered me great orders.