Who would be the "mascot" for your branch of service?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 16:19:41 -0400

Army might choose SGT Audie Murphy or maybe Patton. Marines would probably argue between Mattis and Chesty. Who would you choose to represent your branch of service as a whole? They can be living or dead, enlisted or officer. Who would you choose?

Response by SSgt Gary Andrews made Jun 28 at 2017 4:40 PM

SSgt Gary Andrews — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 16:40:54 -0400

Hard to argue against Mad dog or Chesty for the Marines.......but I always thought Dan Daly was a Marine's Marine. He won his first Medal of Honor as a private.....and another one later as a Sergeant Major. If you look up the term "bad ass", you will find a picture of Dan Daly.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Jun 28 at 2017 5:02 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 17:02:36 -0400

Dan Daley... John Basilone... or just grab a random grunt coming back from a long patrol, make sure a Corpsman is in the pic too...

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 28 at 2017 5:04 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 17:04:45 -0400

Mad Dog Mattis or Chesty Puller would definitely be in the top contenders. Personally, I would also throw Carlos Hathcock's name into the ring because every Marine is a rifleman and he is THE rifleman of the Marine Corps. There's honestly a bunch more names we could probably add, but Gunny Hathcock is one of my personal favorites.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jun 28 at 2017 5:23 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 17:23:49 -0400

Audie Murphy, of course. When I was a Recruiter I always had that picture in the window of my station

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 28 at 2017 5:36 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 17:36:29 -0400

The Army decided this in 1899, SGT Joseph Gunderson! The Army "mascot" is a mule, like the goat for the Navy and the bulldog for the Marine Corps.
I'm not sure I'd use people as mascots of the various armed services.
GySgt John O'Donnell, I tried to explain this as well!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2017 5:54 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 17:54:12 -0400

MSG Roy Benavidez!! That man was a hero and a true bad ass.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jun 28 at 2017 5:57 PM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 17:57:42 -0400

Couldn't go wrong with Rickover, Nimitz or Halsey for the Navy.

Response by CWO3 Dennis M. made Jun 28 at 2017 6:02 PM

CWO3 Dennis M. — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 18:02:17 -0400

For the Navy I will go with Adm. Halsey! And if not him it would go to Adm. Nimitz!

Response by Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire made Jun 28 at 2017 6:03 PM

Cpl Lawrence Lavictoire — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 18:03:43 -0400

Chesty Puller was my favorite in boot-camp!!!!!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 28 at 2017 6:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 18:35:04 -0400

MAJ Audie Murphy

Because every NCO should strive to become an officer.

Response by SPC Jon O. made Jun 28 at 2017 6:49 PM

SPC Jon O. — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 18:49:16 -0400

With out a doubt, Robert Howard!!!

Response by MSgt John Taylor made Jun 28 at 2017 7:56 PM

MSgt John Taylor — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 19:56:43 -0400

Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Jun 28 at 2017 8:15 PM

GySgt John O'Donnell — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 20:15:55 -0400

Mattis, Butler, Daly, and Puller are heroes Marine Corps history, not mascots. That said, we as Marines have a official mascot already, Chesty XIV.
Here is a video of Lance Corporal Chesty being promoted to Corporal.
https://youtu.be/gtAv5QIYDDM

Marine Corps Mascot Bulldog, Chesty XIV, Promotion to Corporal

Cpl. Chesty XIV, Marine Corps mascot, gets promoted during a ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C., Aug. 29, 2014. Cpl. Chesty XIV was promoted by Gen...

Response by SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley made Jun 28 at 2017 8:28 PM

SP5 Dave (Shotgun) Shockley — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 20:28:36 -0400

Audie Murphy He was my hero while growing up. I use to live near the mountain where his plane crashed. Hiked up to the site once.

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Jun 28 at 2017 9:12 PM

Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 21:12:44 -0400

Lance P. Sijan has always been a renown Airman in our books... We have one of the most prestigious awards named after him for our exceptional Airmen.

Response by LTJG Richard Bruce made Jun 29 at 2017 12:16 AM

LTJG Richard Bruce — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 00:16:38 -0400

US Coast Guard Academy's mascot is Objee. When we had a live bear, before PETA complained, it use to climb out of its cage and run around base with a Benny Hill posse of cadets following.

A real person responsible for much Coast Guard history is "Hell Roaring" Michael Healy. Commanded five vessels. Born into slavery in Georgia in 1839. Yes, he was mixed raced. His mother was a slave. His father sent Michael to Catholic school since public schools prohibited educating mulatto children. Healy became a merchant officer aboard an American clipper ship. With his sea time, Healy ask and awarded a commission in the Revenue Marine Service during the Civil War in 1865. After the War, Healy spent twenty years in the Bering sea being the "judge, doctor, and policeman to Alaskan natives, merchant seamen and whaling crews". Forced to retire at age 64. Icebreaker named in his honor.

Response by CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern made Jun 29 at 2017 1:25 AM

CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 01:25:45 -0400

Personally, I rather like John Paul Jones.

His quotes qualify his standing:

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.

I have not yet begun to fight!

If fear is cultivated it will become stronger, if faith is cultivated it will achieve mastery.

Response by MSG Michael McEleney made Jun 29 at 2017 2:59 AM

MSG Michael McEleney — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 02:59:30 -0400

Dan Daly USMC

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jun 29 at 2017 9:43 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 09:43:08 -0400

I say go future stay future for our Army. I see this face for our future ARMY:

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Jun 29 at 2017 10:20 AM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 10:20:32 -0400

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 29 at 2017 10:59 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 10:59:31 -0400

For the Air Force, I think Billy Mitchel, Curt LeMay, and William Tunner all could be the "mascot." BG Mitchel was a very strong between-the-wars advocate for a separate Air Force. Gen LeMay was a proven leader during WWII and the progenitor of Strategic Air Command and the nuclear-capable Air Force. Gen William Tunner commanded large and complex airlift operations including the Berlin Airlift. Gen's Robin Olds and Chappie James both deserve consideration as more contemporary Air Force iconic leaders. Finally, my choice for the Air Force "mascot," is Gen "Hap" Arnold. Developed the concept of a separate Air Force under the US Army that GEN Marshall accepted. Only Air Force General to hold five-star rank. Also a previous Army five-star General. Learned to fly from the Wright Brothers.

Response by SPC Rj Wasser made Jun 29 at 2017 11:17 AM

SPC Rj Wasser — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 11:17:46 -0400

I've seen a few Audie Murphy posts and whatnot. How about Chief Joe Medicine Crow? Old boy as a beast, and succeeded both in the Army, and in his native culture. Murphy had a questionable post-war life that I'm not sure best represents the American Soldier.... just saying.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jun 29 at 2017 5:09 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 17:09:53 -0400

No disrespect to 2LT Audie Murphy, I would pick MSG Roy Benavidez. The man's story is kind of larger than life. He stepped on a landmine. Told he would never walk again only to walk out of the Hospital and go back to Vietnam. He's was wounded over 37 times saved a special forces fireteam and while they were zipping up his body bag he spit in the doctors face to show him he was alive.

Response by Cpl Armando Mireles made Jun 29 at 2017 5:23 PM

Cpl Armando Mireles — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 17:23:47 -0400

Manila John would be mine!

Response by Cpl Armando Mireles made Jun 29 at 2017 5:29 PM

Cpl Armando Mireles — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 17:29:47 -0400

I would also add White Feather - Carlos Hathcock

Response by LtCol George Carlson made Jun 29 at 2017 9:30 PM

LtCol George Carlson — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 21:30:25 -0400

As many have pointed out, the term "mascot" is a bit inappropriate, but to the crux of the question. Many exemplary names from the four services (USCG didn't respond unless I missed it) have been offered up. All (well, most all) are excellent examples of each service's "finest" as individuals. However, I would pose the junior enlisted (E-1 to E-3) of each of the services as non-specific representation. They are the "bricks" on which each of our services is built. The NCOs are the mortar, and the officers the "architects" but without the bricks none of it matters.

Response by PO2 Ron Gunsolus made Jun 29 at 2017 10:35 PM

PO2 Ron Gunsolus — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 22:35:21 -0400

Navy -> Rickover!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 8:47 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 08:47:45 -0400

Air Force would have to be Chuck Norris! enough said!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2017 3:04 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 15:04:09 -0400

Robin Olds for AF mascot.

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Jun 19 at 2020 3:02 PM

SrA Daniel Hunter — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 15:02:10 -0400

There a couple great suggestions for the Air Force already. Mine, although he was technically Army would be Colonel Billy Mitchell. He is regarded as the father of the U.S. Air Force.

Response by SGT Ron Egan made Jun 20 at 2021 7:30 AM

SGT Ron Egan — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 07:30:11 -0400

Lieutenant Audie Murphy