Military Celebrities: Who do/did you know? (VANITY)

Self ^ | 05/11/12 | Self

[Joe 6-pack]

In an off line conversation with my FReeper lady friend, floralamiss, she mentioned to me that Joe Dimaggio had been her father's PT instructor during WWII. I indicated that my dad had served with Lt. George Steinbrenner at Lockbourne AFB in the 50's. When I was an ROTC Cadet, I did my advanced camp at Ft. Bragg, and then went on CTLT in Germany with Shawn Mullins.

Just curious how many other FReepers got to meet/know/serve with folks that later achieved some degree of fame (or notoriety) while in the military. Thought it might be a fun conversation topic for a Friday evening....

[Joe 6-pack]

That’s quite a line up. Incredible men, each and every one.

[mylife]

A real character and a legend.

[GQuagmire]

My dad was in basic training with Billy Martin the Yankees manager during Korean War.

My stepfather was in flight school with Ted Williams during WWII...

[mamelukesabre]

No. I cheated a little. I never met him. I knew his relatives many many years ago. It still chokes me up to think about his story as they told it to me.

[rlmorel]

I was also a Plane Captain for CAPT John "Lites" Leenhouts back in the Seventies when he was a young LTJG.

He is best known for having more traps than any other pilot in Naval History, but is also an aviation photographer of note. I think he is now the president of Sun N' Fun (For you aviation enthusiasts out there)

He was a great guy. Treated us lowly plane captains like men, not serfs. Was respectful, and conscientious. He did his walk arounds with a fine tooth comb, really paid attention. My overriding memory of him was as a LT wearing a bright orange flight suit, something he was entitled to do after one of the many programs he was involved in, I forget what it was.

Captain John R. “Lites” Leenhouts
By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette

Captain John “Lites” Leenhouts was born in Bryan, Texas and has resided in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Utah, and Illinois. After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1973, John entered the Navy as an Aviation Reserve Officer Candidate Program. He was commissioned as an Ensign in March 1974 and was designated a Naval Aviator on August 22, 1975 at NAS Kingsville, Texas.

Following flight training, John reported to VA-174 for A-7B training and then to VA-46 for duty. During his first tour he completed three deployments aboard the carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), and the initial shakedown of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). He became the First Fleet Landing Signal Officer (LSO) to cross-train in the F-14 and fly it concurrently with the A-7. Captain Leenhouts returned to the “Hellrazers” of VA-174 as an instructor pilot and LSO. In January 1982, he joined Carrier Air Wing One as the Staff Landing Signal Officer, flying the A-7E with VA-72 and the F-14A with VF-102 aboard the USS America (CV-66).

Upon completion of an accident-free CAG Landing Signal Officer tour, Captain Leenhouts was selected to be the Naval Air Atlantic Fleet Landing Signal Officer from December 1983 until December 1985. As an Operational Readiness Evaluator, he flew with every East Coast Fighter and Light Attack squadron from every carrier in the Second Fleet. Returning to sea duty, Captain Leenhouts was assigned a second tour with VA-46 as a department head, again deploying on the USS America and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. In August 1988, Captain Leenhouts surpassed 3000 Corsair hours and achieved 1000 arrested landings as a Lieutenant Commander. Following duties on the Light Attack Wing One readiness staff, he was assigned as Attack Squadron 72 Executive Officer in June 1989, deploying to the Red Sea aboard the USS Kennedy in support of “Operation Desert Shield”.

Commander Leenhouts flying the above A-7 led the first strike from the USS Kennedy on January 17, 1991 at 2:00A.M. in the opening minutes of the first war against Iraq. During “Operation Desert Storm”, Commander Leenhouts accumulated over 100 combat hours in 24 missions leading strikes into Iraq and Kuwait. After the war Commander Leenhouts reported to Strike Fighter Squadron 136 in December 1991 as Executive Officer. He assumed command of the “Knighthawks” in March 1993. Following his command tour, Captain Leenhouts attended the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base graduating in 1995. He then became Deputy Director of Operations for the Joint Task Force Southwest Asia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from August through December 1995. In February 1996 he reported to Battle Force Seventh Fleet in Yokosuka, Japan, as the Operations Officer and deployed to the Far East aboard the USS Independence (CV-62). Captain Leenhouts returned to the United States in February 1997 and assumed command of Strike-Fighter Wing, Atlantic in April 1997.

With 10 major deployments to his credit, Captain Leenhouts has logged over 8000 hours piloting more than 35 different types of military, antique, and civilian aircraft. He has become the all time leading Carrier Aviator, having accumulated 1645 traps on 16 different aircraft carriers. Additionally, Captain Leenhouts has exceeded 10,000 aerial photographs with many of his images published worldwide. His awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” (two awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Individual Air Medal with Combat “V” (four awards), two Strike Flight Air Medals with Combat “V”, Joint Service Commendation Medal. Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V” (two awards). Captain Leenhouts retired n January 2001 after twenty-eight years of adventurous sea service.

[rlmorel]

Ah. I almost forgot. I also served with CDR. McCain when he was the CO of VA-174 in Cecil Field back in 1976.

I guess I didn’t want to put that down here, it isn’t a resume enhancer on Free Republic.

[Joe 6-pack]

Neat...here's my aunt, an Army Nurse, with General Matt Ridgeway:

[ought-six]

I was in the USAF from 1970 to 1974, and as far as I can recall I served with no one who became famous. But, I served with several who were INFAMOUS.

[rlmorel]

That is completely cool.

Ridgeway was one hell of a man. A hell of a man.

[Joe 6-pack]

My Aunt was a hell of a lady, too. She retired as a full bird in 1975, with service in both Korea and Viet Nam. She passed away last fall...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2791375/posts

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

My father was drafted into to Army in the last week of the Korean War. He eventually was assigned to Audie Murphy's old platoon. They were shooting the parade scenes for the movie “To Hell and Back” and Murphy was there. My father got to meet him. Said he was a nice guy. Every time the movie came on TV my dad would point at the marching formation and say “there I am.” Of course he even knew that you can't tell one soldier from the other in that part of the movie. But he is in it.

[jmax]

My special friend and hero, Ron Berens, who was a crew member of USS Pueblo, AGER-2, which was captured by the North Koreans. RON AND I GO BACK TO THE 60's WHEN WE WERE YOUNG 20-SOMETHING YEAR OLD NAVY BUDDIES...HE WAS THEN A 2ND CLASS BOATSWAIN MATE ABOARD PUEBLO AND ME A 2ND CLASS GUNNERS MATE, ABOARD USS PALM BEACH. I SAY "HERO", AS RON IS THE RECIPIENT OF BOTH THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL WITH COMBAT "V" and THE PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL. (important note.... A lot of people would say something like he 'WON' those medals. Wrong, baby, you don't 'WIN' something like that...like WINNING the lottery or WINNING the office football pool.) He was AWARDED them for BRAVERY and SURVIVING HELL IN A NORTH KOREAN POW CAMP. Ron and I are still friends, even though we live several hundred miles from each other. We stay in touch.

To Ron.... take care, my brother.

[11Bush]

Never had the opportunity to serve with a celebrity, but I did serve with a whole bunch of heroes. They never made a history book, but they were part and parcel of our nation’s pride.

[Joe 6-pack]

IMHO, anyone who served served with heroes. They/our names may not make the history books, but the deeds will.

[Interesting Times]

Yes. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity.

[OL Hickory]

I treasure my remark to my grandson who asked, “Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?” Grandpa said, “No... but I served in a company of heroes”

MAJ Dick Winters

[jennings2004]

Youngster! I graduated in June, 1962....only to be able to run those Military Stakes one more time!

[Cementjungle]

I went to a small militaty school (HS) for four years. One of my roommates went into the USMC, and retired as a colonel. He let a tank division in Desert Storm.

Another friend at that school is still in the Navy, and is now a Rear Admiral (in charge of the sea lift command). He ran GTMO for a year. We exchange emails from time to time, and had lots of interesting things to say while he was at GTMO.

My best friend in college also went into the Marines, but was killed in the barracks bombing in Beiruit.

Another HS friend was killed in an F15 mishap in the China Sea many years ago.

Another HS friend is in charge of a Navy supply base in San Diego. I helped this guy learn English in HS (he was from Puerto Rico).

[Joe 6-pack]

M48s?!?!

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

When in boot camp in San Diego I met Admiral Nimitz who was long-since retired. He was a very small, frail man when I met him but very warm and friendly. The officers were trying to rush him to the VIP stand but he wanted to stay and talk to us white hats.

I served with Cmdr. August Hubal who later became the skipper of the U.S.S. Amberjack. The A’jack was patrolling in the Eastern Med. when the U.S.S. Liberty was mistakenly attacked by Israeli aircraft. Cmdr. Hubal was involved in the investigation of the attack.