I was the safety officer for a demo shoot that the brute would inspect. Prior to the demo shoot I was told I had been chosen for the photo op due to my height. I was to remain alert and when the photographer came in to sight I was, if need be, to walk on my knees in order to appear a tad shorter than the general. Short in stature but a great leader and inventor of the landing craft.
Although short of stature, Gen. Victor Krulak was huge in presence. I can remember in 1967 how all of the salty Old Corps Marines were upset that President Johnson had selected Gen. Chapman as Commandant over political differences about the South Vietnamese government. The “Brute” was going to tell you what he thought whether you wanted to hear it or not, and he was not pleased with Westmoreland’s concept and plans to fight the Vietnam war. He was one of the last non-political thinking general officers. I had great respect for the man. Semper Fi!!! Top Pro
Gen. Westmoreland concept of the Viet Nam war was so far askew. He should have learned from the Philippines jungle warfare and updated that to Viet Nam. That would been a big game changer in the war. Politics don’t belong in war. Go in, do the job, and get out
Right on Joe, and our government hasn’t learned a dmn thing since! Harry
I know this is really late in the week, but I sure am happy with the decision to finally end the war in Afghanistan and bring the troops home after 20 years. Did we not learn anything from half the time in Vietnam? Semper Fi!!! Top Pro