- The Last Detail - great flick.
Posted on 08/19/2016 9:36:19 AM PDT by Freeport
James Zumwalt is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel who served in the Vietnam war, the 1989 intervention into Panama and Operation Desert Storm. The son of the late Navy Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr., he's also a best-selling author, speaker and business executive. The views expressed in this commentary are his own.
On Jan. 2, 2000, less than 48 hours into a new millennium, the U.S. Navy lost a 20th century hero and revered, visionary leader.
Adm. Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr., 79, had succumbed to mesothelioma -- a lung cancer caused by asbestos exposure, incurred during his naval career. He died at Duke Hospital in Durham, North Carolina.
As a grieving family focused on making preparations for a funeral to be held Jan. 10, 2000, at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Marine Col. Michael Spiro stepped forward to escort the remains home.
Spiro had served as Zumwalt's Marine aide, initially during the Vietnam war and later when the admiral was promoted to the Navy's top position as (the youngest ever) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) in the summer of 1970.
Zumwalt had been most impressed with Spiro's professionalism and sense of duty. As CNO, the admiral was about to embark upon various programs that would shake up the naval service. He knew success turned on having a loyal staff in place to support his changes.
When Zumwalt asked Spiro to join him at the Pentagon, there was no hesitation on the colonel's part. Immediately accepting, Spiro knew by doing so, time spent working for Zumwalt's Navy was not time spent working in a Marine Corps billet to further his own career. Yet, driven by a sense of personal loyalty, Spiro answered the admiral's call. The two men developed a close friendship.
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
No offense against the man or his service but we in my time (1968-1976) especially early on called the Navy guys “Elmo’s Hippies.”
They got to have the sideburns, ‘stashes, pea jackets and bell bottoms them hippy chicks liked.
I remember that well as we were not allowed to wear Seafarer Jeans(bell bottoms) off the CG base for liberty as it was part of the uniform. All the hippies were wearing them at the time.
We did it any way
Yeah...I remember... I was Air Force and you guys really got over with the Hippy chicks as I recall. Our guys only had “Dippity Do.” :0)
They had pea jackets and bell bottoms long before Zumwalt was CNO. In fact, didn't he initiate a short-lived uniform redesign away from jumpers and bell bottoms and to coats and ties?
Semper Fidelis!
Duty Honor country-This we’ll Defend.
As a retired Army officer, I always am impressed by the honor displayed quietly by some fellow officers and appalled at the behavior of others. Just like anywhere else- you have the ladder climbing finger crushing turds, and the men who take their commitment to duty, honor and selfless service seriously.
I certainly don’t remember all that from my time (at the time) looking in from the AF side.
Remember the Z grams???
I was AF in the early times. I actually don’t remember them except for a vague familiarity. All I know is we were damned sure jealous.
Truly inspirational story. Thanks for posting.
..They got to have the sideburns, ‘stashes, pea jackets and bell bottoms them hippy chicks liked....
Many old timer Senior and Chief Petty Officers weren’t real happy with the Zumwalt changes. The bell bottoms were really in style with the kids then.
The worst Navy issue at the time was the itchy wool swimming trunks. I still have my pea coat and deck shoes. They seem to be indestructible.
I was only concerned about the local ‘fauna’ at the time, and they seemed to gravitate towards Elmo’s Hippies.
Didn’t the Adm. lose his son to the effects of agent orange or am I thinking of someone else?
Great movie. I’ve seen it at least three times.
Chesty Puller’s son was a multiple amputee who eventually committed suicide.
“...In fact, didn’t he initiate a short-lived uniform redesign away from jumpers and bell bottoms and to coats and ties?”
Yes, indeed. The traditional navy blue, bell bottom, eight button fly trousers w/ open-neck jumper and neckerchief w/ white gob hat “Cracker Jack” uniform was supposed to be relegated to the history books in the Zumwalt era as sailors had to wear a new black, two-piece, double-breasted suit w/ white caps w/ visor uniform similar to the other services that lasted for only a few years and was later phased out as the traditional “Cracker Jack” uniform was reinstated due to popular demand. Sideburns, beards, and moustaches were also allowed to be sported by Zumwalt’s sailors.
nam myoho renge kyo...nam myoho renge kyo...nam myoho renge kyo...nam myoho renge kyo...nam myoho renge kyo...
“I consider myself in jeopardy with you man, understand? In jeopardy. This ain’t no farewell party n’ he ain’t retirin’. Understand?...”
Yes. And the Admiral had his concerns about the chemicals though he was instructed that it was of no concern by the manufacturer. He considered the short term benefits to save American lives more significant than any long term risk.
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