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Defining combat
World Defense Review ^ | June 5, 2006 | W. Thomas Smith Jr.

Posted on 06/05/2006 6:41:31 AM PDT by SuzyQ2

Last week, while working on a piece for National Review Online, I had the opportunity to chat with several experts on the subject of armed combat – all of whom have heard the zip and pop of bullets breaking the sound barrier around them.

One of those experts was Col. John W. Ripley (U.S. Marine Corps, ret.).

(Excerpt) Read more at worlddefensereview.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Extended News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; US: District of Columbia; US: Maryland; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: academy; annapolis; iraq; malaya; marine; naval; quadbody; recon; royal; thebridgeatdongha; vietnam

1 posted on 06/05/2006 6:41:33 AM PDT by SuzyQ2
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To: SuzyQ2
Col. Ripley's exploits at the Dong Ha bridge
One Marine Cripples North Vietnamese Invasion
Semper Fi...

2 posted on 06/05/2006 6:48:10 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: SuzyQ2
Col. John W. Ripley

If the U.S. had knights this guy would be in the O.B.A......the Order of Bad A$$es.

He was on staff at Annapolis when I was a midshipman. A very motivational guy.

3 posted on 06/05/2006 6:58:58 AM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: SuzyQ2
Great comments by Ripley.
Marines seem to cherish the C.A.R. more than any other ribbon.
There are alot of heroes on FR.
I served with heroes, and they will always be a lot of steps above and beyond my contribution.
It's only by God's Grace that I was never in combat.
I've always wondered if I would have measured up.

To all the heroes...Hand Salute.
Semper Fi.
4 posted on 06/05/2006 7:07:14 AM PDT by stylin19a (Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps.)
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To: SuzyQ2

If you threaten a Marine, even verbally or by stupid noises or motions, you are going down. Instantaneous response is a golden rule for us, and always when the enemy is unseen, not in a uniform, and particularly when they are known to have no respect for their own people and their values (i.e. – terrorists).

Good article........................


5 posted on 06/05/2006 7:17:54 AM PDT by PeterPrinciple (Seeking the truth here folks.)
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To: SuzyQ2

Great article. Thanks.


6 posted on 06/05/2006 7:31:21 AM PDT by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
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To: SuzyQ2
Good to see that Colonel Ripley has bounced back from his brush with death.

‘Semper Fidelis’ Saves a Life

7 posted on 06/05/2006 7:33:48 AM PDT by A.A. Cunningham
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To: SuzyQ2
We don't ask to 'show us your I.D' or 'let me see your hands' as shown in the law enforcement programs. If you threaten a Marine, even verbally or by stupid noises or motions, you are going down. Instantaneous response is a golden rule for us, and always when the enemy is unseen, not in a uniform, and particularly when they are known to have no respect for their own people and their values (i.e. – terrorists).

Very timely article in light of the Haditha flap, in which our Marines will be absolved.

8 posted on 06/05/2006 7:58:26 AM PDT by hsalaw
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To: stylin19a

"Marines seem to cherish the C.A.R. more than any other ribbon."



You are correct, I cherish my 2 C.A.R.'s more than any other decoration, medal or plaque that I have ever gotten.

Semper Fidelis


9 posted on 06/05/2006 8:09:42 AM PDT by marine86297 (I'll never forgive Clinton for Somalia, my blood is on his hands)
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