Fredrick Loc: Former NYC, now San Francisco Bay Area

A friend of mine growing up joined the Marines after high school, where I joined the Navy. He was also our paperboy, and I remember my father telling me that my friend Emmet sure didn’t say much. He was very quiet and unassuming. We both wound up in Vietnam, where I was on an attack carrier and he was in the jungles.

He was in a foxhole one day and was attacked by several north Vietcong, who killed several of his buddies. He wound up killing several Vietcong first by using a rifle, then with his bare hands, all the while being shot up. He was in the hospital for 9 months and recovered.
He was then called back into active duty for one day, so he could go to Washington DC to receive the first Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism in Vietnam, given to him by President Johnson. His name is Emmet O’Malley. His younger brother, Brian, received the Silver Star also for his heroism in Vietnam.

SalvageDiver Loc: Huntington Beach CA

Well let's see how true that statement is:

1. Korean war (1950-1953): S.Korea is a vibrant democracy today. N Korea is a despot nation run by the 3rd generation Kim dictatorship acting as a buffer zone between S.Korea and China. OFFFENSIVE

2. Vietnam war (1961-1975): S.Vietnam fell to N Vietnam when we withdrew material support in 1975. DEFENSIVE

3. Lebonan (1982-1984): Peacekeeping force only. Left after the airport bombing killed 241 marines and another 60 multinational forces. DEFENSIVE

4. Grenada 1983: Rescued American students and stopped Cuban military operations OFFENSIVE

5. Panama 1989: Removed Noriega Regime after Panama's declaration of war against the US and for state sponsored drug smuggling into the US. OFFENSIVE

6. Gulf War 1 1991: Kicked Sadam Houssain out of Kuwait. OFFENSIVE

7. Samalia 1993: Peacekeeping forces only. Withdrew after "Black Hawk Down". DEFENSIVE

8. Bosnia (1994-1995): Halt Bosnian ethnic cleansing. OFFENSIVE

9. Kosovo 1999: Halt Serbian ethnic cleansing. OFFENSIVE

10. Afghanistan (1991-2012): Remove terrorist threat responsible for 9/11. OFFENSIVE. Troops remained to prevent Afghanistan return to terrorist haven DEFENSIVE

11. Iraq (2013-2010): Remove Sadam Houssain. OFFENSIVE Iraq is a fledgeling democracy.

12. ISIL (2012-2019): Eliminate ISIL threat to US in Syria/Iraq. OFFENSIVE

I think that when the military is allowed to win, we win. But when our military is placed in defensive theaters and only absorb punches, our enemies are embolded and we get tired, then we lose.

I don't think the lesson is we generally LOSE, but that we should only use the military only when we want to WIN. Defensive missions are a loser for the US.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Leave no man behind..!

berchman Loc: South Central PA

I'd have to travel to Florida to ask him.

bnsf

My brother Keith was in Special Forces. His last mission was to rescue prisoners from a North Vietnam Death Camp deep inside North Vietnam. These soldiers wore no id's and no dog tags either, just US military clothing. They liberated the camp and on the way back to the pick up point was ambushed by a massive VC force. One prisoner was shot and Keith grabbed him and started to carry him to the checkout point where the rest of the American force were waiting. Within 50 feet from the American lines Keith was shot and still kept walking with the wounded soldier on his back and they still kept shooting at Keith. 5 feet from the American lines Keith died with the soldier on his back. The soldier to this day made it out along with the rest of the 300 prisoners. Keith's body is still in Vietnam and to this day the do not know where his body and his remains are. Since this was classified as a non authorized military mission. Keith died in 1972 8 weeks before the war was officially over while the prisoners were going to be put to death with in 3 days if not rescued.

waymond Loc: Pflugerville, Texas

We veterans salute all combat warriors, and especially the recipients of the highest military honor that this nation provides.

Goldyrock

We should have gotten out when Bin Laden was killed! Many lives would have been saved.

KillroyII Loc: Middle Georgia

All these comments bring up thoughts of what I might say... I will leave it at I am alive and although I have been 100% P&T disabled for many years... I have lived longer than I ever imagined I would.

waymond Loc: Pflugerville, Texas

Well stated

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

Best thing for us to do is to stay out of problems we don’t belong in. We’re not the worlds cop. Who’s going to rescue us in the future

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I wouldn't be surprised. She probably lost her house over it.

John Matthews Loc: Wasilla, Alaska

Which President, Trump, Biden or both?

John Matthews Loc: Wasilla, Alaska

I spent a couple of decades in the army (active and reserve) including in a SF unit. I am totally unfamiliar with the mission you are writing about and would like to learn more. I find no reference on a admittedly brief google search.

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

Right on, Jerry!

DaveD65 Loc: Queen City, Ohio

I saw this story on "Big Geek Daddy" great story.