Addendum to Ordained by the State
by Michael Gaddy
by Michael Gaddy
I received several great examples confirming my allegations of the absurdity of State certification or endorsement. I would like to thank all who responded to my article and provided those great examples. Many offered interesting life experiences in the civilian world that were exactly on target. I must admit, what I consider the best example came from Colonel Ed Kennedy, USA (ret) who provided this most moving example. Colonel Kennedy served as Cdr, C/18th Infantry in the 1970's.
Medal Of Honor Recipient With A 5th Grade Education.
Bobby Brown, Captain
Cdr, C/18th Infantry Regiment
1st Infantry Division
Birthday: 2 September 1903
Place of Birth: Dublin, Laurens County, Georgia
Date of Death: 8 November 1971
Place of Death: Highland Falls, New York
Cemetery: Arlington National Cemetery (46-1021-17)
Entered Service at: Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
Bobby Brown was a pre-WWII enlistee with a minimal education. However, he was a good soldier and became an NCO by the beginning of WWII. Recognized for his competence on the battlefield, he quickly earned a battlefield commission. By Normandy, he was commanding Company C, 18th Infantry Regiment. He fought through the war and was in the first Infantry Officer's Advanced Course at Fort Benning where he had many problems due to his lack of academic background. Shortly after completion of the course, he was RIF'ed from the Army due to his lack of elementary education. He was given veteran's preference due to his Medal of Honor and he was employed by the Military Academy, West Point as a waiter in the mess hall. He demonstrated outstanding organizational and leadership skills and was later promoted to foreman in the custodial department. He died at his home outside of West Point in 1971.
BROWN, BOBBIE E.
Rank and organization: Captain, U S. Army, Company C, 18th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Place and date: Crucifix Hill, Aachen, Germany, 8 October 1944. Entered service at: Atlanta, Ga. Born: 2 September 1903, Dublin, Ga. G.O. No.: 74, 1 September 1945. Citation: He commanded Company C, 18th Infantry Regiment, on 8 October 1944, when it, with the Ranger Platoon of the 1st Battalion, attacked Crucifix Hill, a key point in the enemy's defense of Aachen, Germany. As the leading rifle platoon assaulted the first of many pillboxes studding the rising ground, heavy fire from a flanking emplacement raked it. An intense artillery barrage fell on the American troops which had been pinned down in an exposed position. Seeing that the pillboxes must be neutralized to prevent the slaughter of his men, Capt. Brown obtained a pole charge and started forward alone toward the first pillbox, about 100 yards away. Hugging the ground while enemy bullets whipped around him, he crawled and then ran toward the aperture of the fortification, rammed his explosive inside and jumped back as the pillbox and its occupants were blown up. He rejoined the assault platoon, secured another pole charge, and led the way toward the next pillbox under continuous artillery mortar, automatic, and small-arms fire. He again ran forward and placed his charge in the enemy fortification, knocking it out. He then found that fire from a third pillbox was pinning down his company; so he returned to his men, secured another charge, and began to creep and crawl toward the hostile emplacement. With heroic bravery he disregarded opposing fire and worked ahead in the face of bullets streaming from the pillbox. Finally reaching his objective, he stood up and inserted his explosive, silencing the enemy. He was wounded by a mortar shell but refused medical attention and, despite heavy hostile fire, moved swiftly among his troops exhorting and instructing them in subduing powerful opposition. Later, realizing the need for information of enemy activity beyond the hill, Capt. Brown went out alone to reconnoiter. He observed possible routes of enemy approach and several times deliberately drew enemy fire to locate gun emplacements. Twice more, on this self-imposed mission, he was wounded; but he succeeded in securing information which led to the destruction of several enemy guns and enabled his company to throw back 2 powerful counterattacks with heavy losses. Only when Company C's position was completely secure did he permit treatment of his 3 wounds. By his indomitable courage, fearless leadership, and outstanding skill as a soldier, Capt. Brown contributed in great measure to the taking of Crucifix Hill, a vital link in the American line encircling Aachen.
This fine soldier should have been teaching classes at West Point. Was there an instructor with more battlefield experience? Yet, the State felt him only capable of janitorial work, regardless of his sacrifice. Is this not another lesson to those today that are being "used" by the State to facilitate corrupt foreign policy and how the government rewards those who serve and put their lives on the line?
February 24, 2005
Michael Gaddy [send him mail], an Army veteran of Vietnam, Grenada, and Beirut, lives in the Four Corners area of the American Southwest.
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