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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Everett Parker Pope ~ March 9, 2015
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| StarCMC
Posted on 03/08/2015 5:09:23 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
Our Troops Rock! Thank you for all you do! |
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For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. |
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~ Hall of Heroes ~ Everett Parker Pope Story from this website. |
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Major Everett Parker Pope (July 16, 1919–July 16, 2009) was a United States Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conspicuous gallantry on Peleliu in September 1944 while leading his men in an assault on a strategic hill, and for holding it, with rocks and bare fists when ammunition ran low, against Japanese suicide attacks.
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Pope was born on July 16, 1919 in Milton, Massachusetts, the son of Laurence Everett Pope and Ruth Parker Pope. He later moved to North Quincy, where he graduated from North Quincy High School in 1936. He attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, and excelled in both academics and athletics. He was the captain of the state-champion tennis team and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Shortly after graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in French in June 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps.
In about 1942, Pope married his high school sweetheart, Eleanor Hawkins. The couple had two sons, Laurence E. and Ralph H. Pope.
After basic training, Pope attended Officer Candidate School and, on November 1, 1941, was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve. He trained at Quantico, Virginia, and New River, North Carolina, prior to going overseas in June 1942 with 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. On August 7, 1942, as the leader of a machine gun platoon, he participated in the landing and action at Guadalcanal.
In 1943, he was transferred to Melbourne, Australia with his unit. Later, he again went into combat, as a company commander with the 1st Marine Regiment, in the Cape Gloucester, New Britain campaign, from December 1943 to April 1944. In the mopping-up operations which followed, he led a 14-man patrol which in one day killed 20 and captured seven of the enemy during a 12-mile trek over jungle trails.
From September 12, 1944 to September 30, 1944, he took part in action in the Peleliu campaign during which he acted with "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty", and for which he would later be awarded the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart. Although wounded in action on September 20, he returned to duty the next day, and remained overseas until November 1944.
Pope was promoted to major in January 1945 and assigned for one year as a student in the Japanese language course at Yale University. On July 16, 1946, he was assigned an inactive duty status in the Marine Corps, and returned to his home and private employment in Massachusetts. There he became affiliated with the Marine Corps Reserve and commanded the 2nd Infantry Battalion, USMCR, Hingham, Massachusetts, until August 1950, when he was called to active duty with his battalion upon the outbreak of the Korean War. He served as Executive Officer of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marines at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, until September 1951, when he was released to inactive duty and, shortly thereafter, resigned his commission in the Marine Corps.
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Medal of Honor action
On September 20, 1944, Captain Pope and his company set out to storm Hill 154, a steep, barren, coral hill protruding from the face of Suicide Ridge, according to a field dispatch from TSgt Joseph L. Alli of Buffalo, New York, a Marine Corps Combat Correspondent. From almost point-blank range, Japanese mortars and field guns opened up on them from adjoining peaks on Suicide Ridge. Pope and his men took Hill 154 at dusk after hours of bloody fighting which nearly annihilated the group.
Forced to deploy his men thinly, he nevertheless determined to hold his ground for the night. Immediately after darkness fell, the Japanese started to attack, first in small infiltrating bands, and, when these units failed, in groups of 20 to 25 who tried storming the hill. Each time, the Marines opened fire with everything they had — one light machine gun, several Tommy guns and rifles, and a limited supply of hand grenades. When the grenades ran low, they hurled rocks. "We would throw three or four rocks, then a grenade. The Japanese didn't know which were which," one Marine said. By sunrise the Marines were beating off the enemy with bare fists and hurling ammunition boxes at them. Finally only eight riflemen remained. When daylight brought deadly fire, Pope was ordered to withdraw.
For these actions, Pope was formally presented with the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman during a ceremony in 1945. It was Truman's first Medal of Honor presentation, and he told Pope that he would rather have the medal than be president.
Medal of Honor Citation
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to
CAPTAIN EVERETT P. POPE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as Commanding Officer of Company C, First Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Division, during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group, on 19-20 September, 1944. Subjected to point-blank cannon fire which caused heavy casualties and badly disorganized his company while assaulting a steep coral hill, Captain Pope rallied his men and gallantly led them to the summit in the face of machine-gun, mortar, and sniper fire. Forced by wide-spread hostile attack to deploy the remnants of his company thinly in order to hold the ground won, and with his machine-guns out of action and insufficient water and ammunition, he remained on the exposed hill with twelve men and one wounded officer, determined to hold through the night. Attacked continuously with grenades, machine-guns, and rifles from three sides and twice subjected to suicidal charges during the night, he and his valiant men fiercely beat back or destroyed the enemy, resorting to hand-to-hand combat as the supply of ammunition dwindled and still maintaining his lines with his eight remaining riflemen when daylight brought more deadly fire and he was ordered to withdraw. His valiant leadership against devastating odds while protecting the units below from heavy Japanese attack reflects the highest credit upon Captain Pope and the United States Naval Service
/S/ FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
Thank you, sir, for your service and sacrifice for our country!
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Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission!
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
2
posted on
03/08/2015 5:09:42 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
3
posted on
03/08/2015 5:12:37 PM PDT
by
left that other site
(You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
To: Kathy in Alaska
4
posted on
03/08/2015 5:15:59 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
To: ConorMacNessa; The Mayor; SandRat; mountainlion; HiJinx; Publius; Jet Jaguar; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
5
posted on
03/08/2015 5:18:23 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: ConorMacNessa
Permission Granted!
6
posted on
03/08/2015 5:20:51 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: ConorMacNessa
Good evening, Mac...*HUGS*...did you get some good rest this weekend? Sing in the choir?
After venturing out this morning I am the proud new owner of a new internet cable box. Mine died last night in mid post. No internet all evening. It was horrible. LOL!
Now I’m up and running again.
7
posted on
03/08/2015 5:27:40 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC
Good evening, Kathy and Star!
***HUGS***
Thanks very much coming aboard! Rendering Hand Salutes to our National Colors and to the Officer of the Deck!
And thanks very much to you and Star for tonights Hall of Heroes thread! Major Everett Parker Pope, USMC (MOH) is most worthy of entry into our Hall of Heroes!
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8
posted on
03/08/2015 5:38:55 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list
Cat Gate
My husband, Jay, and I have a new family membera 2-month-old tabby cat named Jasper. To keep our new kitten safe, weve had to break some old habits, like leaving doors open. But one thing remains a challenge: the open stairway. Cats like to climb. Even as kittens, they know that the world looks better when youre looking down on it. So whenever I have Jasper downstairs with me, she is determined to go upstairs. Trying to keep her confined to a safe place near me has tested my ingenuity. Gates that work with children and dogs do not work with cats.
My cat gate dilemma brings to mind the metaphor Jesus used to describe Himself: I am the gate for the sheep, He said (John 10:7 niv). Middle Eastern sheepfolds were enclosures with an opening for the sheep to go in and out. At night, when the sheep were safely inside, the shepherd would lie in the opening so that neither sheep nor predators could get past him.
Although I want to keep Jasper safe, I am not willing to make myself the gate. I have other things to do. But thats what Jesus Christ does for us. He places Himself between us and our enemy, the devil, to protect us from spiritual harm.
Thank You, Jesus, for being my gate. Through You I have salvation and by Your power I am safe from spiritual harm. Surround me with Your protection. I trust in You.
The closer to the Shepherd, the farther from the wolf.
: John records several instances of the exclusive claims of Jesus. In todays passage, Jesus says that the only way to relationship with God is through Him (John 10:9). Later, speaking to His disciples, Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (14:6).
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posted on
03/08/2015 5:44:07 PM PDT
by
The Mayor
(Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder.)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Rested well today, thanks. I was up early, given the change to DST. I did sing with the Choir this morning - the voice is still sketchy, but it seems to be improving.
I'm foregoing the Easter Triduum this year - it was difficult making it through Midnight Mass at Christmas - there is no way I could go through the Triduum.
I can imagine how it must feel - I would go stark raving sober!
"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense." |
10
posted on
03/08/2015 5:46:24 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
Welcome To All Who Enter This Canteen, To Our Serving Military, To Our Veterans, To All Military Families, To Our FRiends and To Our Allies!
Missing Man Setting
"The Empty Chair"
By Captain Carroll "Lex" Lefon, USN (RET), on December 21st, 2004
"In the wardroom onboard the aircraft carrier from which I recently debarked was a small, round table, with single chair. No one ever sat there, and the reasons, both for the table being there, and for the fact that the chair was always empty, will tell the reader a little bit about who we are as a culture. The wardroom, of course, is where the officers will dine; morning, noon and evening. It is not only a place to eat it is also a kind of oasis from the sometimes dreary, often difficult exigencies of the service. A place of social discourse, of momentary relief from the burdens of the day. The only things explicitly forbidden by inviolable tradition in the wardroom are the wearing of a cover or sword by an officer not actually on watch, or conversation which touches upon politics or religion. But aboard ships which observe the custom, another implicit taboo concerns the empty chair: No matter how crowded the room, no matter who is waiting to be seated, that chair is never moved, never taken.
The table is by the main entrance to the wardroom. You will see it when you enter, and you will see it when you leave. It draws your eyes because it is meant to. And because it draws your eyes it draws your thoughts. And though it will be there every day for as long as you are at sea, you will look at it every time and your eyes will momentarily grow distant as you think for a moment. As you quietly give thanks.
AS YOU REMEMBER.
The small, round table is covered with a gold linen tablecloth. A single place setting rests there, of fine bone china. A wineglass stands upon the table, inverted, empty. On the dinner plate is a pinch of salt. On the bread plate is a slice of lemon. Besides the plate lies a bible. There is a small vase with a single red rose upon the table. Around the vase is wound a yellow ribbon. There is the empty chair.
We will remember because over the course of our careers, we will have had the opportunity to enjoy many a formal evening of dinner and dancing in the fine company of those with whom we have the honor to serve, and their lovely ladies. And as the night wears on, our faces will in time become flushed with pleasure of each others company, with the exertions on the dance floor, with the effects of our libations. But while the feast is still at its best, order will be called to the room we will be asked to raise our glasses to the empty table, and we will be asked to remember:
The table is round to show our everlasting concern for those who are missing. The single setting reminds us that every one of them went to their fates alone, that every life was unique.
The tablecloth is gold symbolizing the purity of their motives when they answered the call to duty.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of the missing, and their loved ones who kept the faith.
The yellow ribbon around the vase symbolizes our continued determination to remember them.
The slice of lemon reminds us of the bitterness of their fate. The salt symbolizes the tears shed by those who loved them. The bible represents the faith that sustained them. The glass is inverted they cannot share in the toast. The chair is empty they are not here. They are missing.
And we will remember, and we will raise our glasses to those who went before us, and who gave all that they had for us. And a part of the flush in our faces will pale as we remember that nothing worth having ever came without a cost. We will remember that many of our brothers and sisters have paid that cost in blood. We will remember that the reckoning is not over.
We many of us will settle with our families into our holiday season, our Christmas season for those who celebrate it, content in our fortune and prosperity. We will meet old friends with smiles and laughter. We will meet our members of our family with hugs. We will eat well, and exchange gifts and raise our glasses to the year passed in gratitude, and to the year to come with hope. We will sleep the sleep of the protected, secure in our homes, secure in our homeland.
But for many families, there will be an empty chair at the table this year. A place that is not filled.
WE SHOULD REMEMBER."
Many Thanks To Alfa6 For Finding Capt. Lefon's Chronicle Of "The Empty Chair."
"Träumerei" Robert Schumann (Click)
Never Forget The Brave Men And Women Who Gave Their Lives To Secure Our Freedom!!
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11
posted on
03/08/2015 5:53:22 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Good Evening Kathy
(((HUGS)))
Snow is almost gone again :-) We only have a bit remaining in the dark shade.
I'm still seeing Bright and Clear, I'm down to two eye drops in only the Left eye.
12
posted on
03/08/2015 5:55:21 PM PDT
by
EXCH54FE
(Hurricane 416,Feisty Old Vet !!)
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
Pfc. James D. La Belle, USMCR (MOH) 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division
From Today in U.S. Military History:
8 March 1945 Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, Japan
Citation: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 8 March 1945.Font size=4> Filling a gap in the front lines during a critical phase of the battle, Pfc. LaBelle had dug into a foxhole with 2 other marines and, grimly aware of the enemys persistent attempts to blast a way through our lines with hand grenades, applied himself with steady concentration to maintaining a sharply vigilant watch during the hazardous night hours. Suddenly a hostile grenade landed beyond reach in his foxhole. Quickly estimating the situation, he determined to save the others if possible, shouted a warning, and instantly dived on the deadly missile, absorbing the exploding charge in his own body and thereby protecting his comrades from serious injury. Stouthearted and indomitable, he had unhesitatingly relinquished his own chance of survival that his fellow marines might carry on the relentless fight against a fanatic enemy His dauntless courage, cool decision and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon Pfc. LaBelle and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country."
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13
posted on
03/08/2015 5:55:38 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Hi Kathy, glad you got a new internet box, LOL, Back on-line!
14
posted on
03/08/2015 6:11:52 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Always Give 100% --- Unless you're donating blood.)
To: left that other site
Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...had to rescue my Mom. I need to start, tomorrow, looking into a scooter or electric wheelchair. Her knees got stuck and I had to help get her sitting in her walker and into bed for a nap.
Were you a trio? Quartet? Did you get some sleep?
15
posted on
03/08/2015 6:26:52 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: Kathy in Alaska; laurenmarlowe; BIGLOOK; alfa6; EsmeraldaA; SandRat; mylife; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!
TATTOO (Click)
Must retire for the evening
The Bugler, his grim visage replete with an evil sneer, already mounts the parapet.
Soldiers of the Greatest Generation Stand The Watch Tonight!
Standing With Them, My Friend And Brother-in-Arms:
HM/2 John P. Lesko, USN (PH) 3rd MARDIV, RVN, 1969
TAPS U.S. Marine Band (Click)
"Do poor Tom some charity, whom the foul fiend vexes!" (King Lear, Act III, Scene iv)
All Gave Some Some Gave All!!! (Click)
Good night, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America!
Godspeed our Troops around the Globe especially those in harms way by virtue of their service and sacrifice we continue to live in Freedom! |
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16
posted on
03/08/2015 6:36:07 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in Battle!)
To: Kathy in Alaska
I think we are a Trio, and will be for a while. I have NO idea what happened to the harmonica player. he might even come wandering back some day...who knows.
In the meantime, the core group is getting better and better. We do a mix of Old-Fashioned Country Gospel (beefed up with bass and drums), some contemporary (Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, etc), and my own compositions which are mostly in the Blues genre.
My Mom uses a walker, but she still takes a spill every once in a while. She has a wheelchair but won’t use it. (sigh)
I tried to catch up last night, but worked till Midnight, lost an hour, and had to get up early to set up the sound equipment.
At least I don’t have to set up the TENT anymore! hahaha
17
posted on
03/08/2015 6:42:49 PM PDT
by
left that other site
(You shall know the Truth, and The Truth Shall Set You Free.)
To: EXCH54FE
Glad to hear both reports.
Clear and cold and windy today, and single digits by morning.
Wind cuts straight thru you.
18
posted on
03/08/2015 6:46:11 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: StarCMC; MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 2LT Radix jr; ...
Please note: The author of the Hall of Heroes is StarCMC. Please thank StarCMC for todays thread.
Sending out prayers for Arrowhead1952 as he recovers from his horrible fall.
~ Hall of Heroes: Everett Parker Pope ~
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19
posted on
03/08/2015 7:00:08 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
To: SandRat
Good evening, Sand...((HUGS))...hope you’ve had a nice weekend.
Mine has been disconnected. Some Mom problems, my internet cable box died, got a new one this morning, and a couple Mom rescues. A scooter or electric wheelchair needs to happen sooner than later. I will make some calls on Monday.
Terrific Tuesday with Maddi?
20
posted on
03/08/2015 7:31:56 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
(((~ RIP Brian...heaven's gain...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~)))
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