“Hold and Die” – Legendary Marine Passes On

COL. JOHN W. RIPLEY, U.S. MARINE CORPS (ret.), recipient of the Navy Cross and for years one of my personal heroes, has passed away.

Ripley, 69, was awarded the Navy Cross – the nation’s second-highest award for valor in combat – for single-handedly blowing up the Dong Ha Bridge in Vietnam, thus blunting the North Vietnamese Army's Easter Offensive on April 2, 1972.

The enemy was attacking in great strength – huge numbers of infantry, tanks, artillery – and Ripley's little force was ordered to "hold and die."

Dying would be easy. But the only way to hold was to blow the bridge spanning the Dong Ha River. And, as Ripley said, he was "the Marine there to do it."

Then a 33-year-old captain, Ripley accomplished his task by dangling from the bridge's I-beams, climbing along the length of the bridge hand-over-hand, his body weighted down with explosives, the enemy shooting at him, desperately trying to kill the lone Marine hanging beneath the bridge.

In a June 16, 2008 interview for Marine Corps Times, Ripley said “I had to swing like a trapeze artist in a circus and leap over the other I-beam. ... I would work myself into the steel. I used my teeth to crimp the detonator and thus pinch it into place on the fuse. I crimped it with my teeth while the detonator was halfway down my throat.”

Ripley set the charges and moved back to the friendly side of the river, all the while under heavy fire.

When the timed-fuses detonated, Ripley – running for his life on the road leading away from the bridge – was literally blown through the air by the massive shockwave he had engineered. The next thing he remembered, he was lying on his back as huge pieces of the bridge were hurtling and cartwheeling across the sky above him.

In an interview for Americans at War (U.S. Naval Institute), Ripley said, "The idea that I would be able to even finish the job before the enemy got me was ludicrous. When you know you're not gonna make it, a wonderful thing happens: You stop being cluttered by the feeling that you're going to save your butt."

A Virginia native, Ripley served in the Marine Corps for 35 years: He commanded three Marine infantry platoons (one rifle, one weapons, one reconnaissance), three rifle companies, a British Royal Marine Commando company (which operated alongside Gurkha infantry in Malaya), a U.S. Marine rifle battalion and a Marine infantry regiment. He also held a variety of other posts from professor to university president. He directed the Marine Corps' History and Museums Division. He testified before Congress on the dynamics and rigors of combat. And a Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan was named for him.

In addition to being one of the Corps greatest heroes and a legend among midshipmen at Annapolis (his alma mater), this year Ripley became the first Marine inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger Hall of Fame.

Incidentally, a signed copy of Col. Charles H. Waterhouse's painting depicting Ripley's exploits at the Dong Ha Bridge hangs in my office as a reminder that – as we read in Philippians – "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Considering the lives saved and the superhuman feat performed under intense enemy fire at Dong Ha, I believe Col. Ripley's Navy Cross should have been – and should be – upgraded to the Medal of Honor.

Another Corps legend General Robert H. Barrow passed away last Thursday. Colonel Ripley came very close to death a few years ago.

General Robert H. Barrow 1922–2008

Gen Barrow was born on 5 February 1922 in Baton Rouge, La. He graduated from high school in 1939 and enrolled at Louisiana State University. In March 1942, he enlisted in the Platoon Leader’s Class Program. He left school in the fall of 1942 and went to boot camp in San Diego, Calif., staying on after graduation as a drill instructor. Selected for Officer Candidates School, he left San Diego for Quantico, Va., in March 1943, and on 19 May 1943, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of Marines.

Following officer training, he was assigned to Marine Barracks, Naval Ammunition Depot, New Orleans. He was reassigned in February 1944 to the 51st Replacement Battalion in Camp Lejeune. During the last 7 months of World War II, he led an American team serving with Chinese guerrilla forces in Japanese-occupied central China.

After World War II, he served as aide-de-camp to the Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic. He completed Amphibious Warfare School, Junior Course, in June 1949 and was transferred to the Second Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was given command of “Able” Company, 1st Battalion, Second Marine Regiment.

At the beginning of the Korean War, his company was transferred to Camp Pendleton and redesignated Able Co, 1/1, 1st MarDiv. He led Able Co ashore at Inchon, Korea in September 1950. For his leadership in the fighting on the outskirts of Seoul, he was awarded the Silver Star. During the Chosin Reservoir Campaign he was awarded the Navy Cross for the seizure and defense of Hill 1081, 9-10 Dec.1950.

After the Korean War he was reassigned as Officer in Charge, Infantry Desk, Enlisted Assignments, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps (HQMC). From there, he was detailed out and sent on a classified assignment to the Far East, north of Taiwan. He returned to HQMC, this time to the G–3 (Operations). In February 1956, he returned to Camp Lejeune where he served first as operations officer and then executive officer of 2/6. He joined the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit at Tulane University in 1957 and served as Marine Officer Instructor for three years.

Returning to Quantico, he completed a tour with the Landing Force Development Center and attended the Officer’s Senior Course in 1963. He left for another tour in the Pacific where he served as G–3, III Marine Amphibious Force, then G–3 Plans Officer, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific in Hawaii. Attendance at the National War College followed.

Upon graduation in 1968, he arrived in South Vietnam to take command of 9th Marines, 3dMarDiv. The regiment conducted a series of highly successful operations south of the western part of the demilitarized zone and in the Khe Sanh and Ba Long Valley areas. For his valor during Operation DEWEY CANYON from 22 January to 18 March 1969, he received the Distinguished Service Cross.

Gen Leonard F. Chapman, 24th Commandant of the Marine Corps, promoted him to brigadier general in August 1969. Gen Barrow’s first tour as a general officer was as CG, Marine Corps Base Camp Butler, Okinawa, where he served for three years. He then served as CG, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island for 32 months. In July 1975, he was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, HQMC.

The following year he became CG, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, Norfolk, VA. He was Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1978 until one year later when he assumed the office as Commandant. Befitting his reputation and stature, when Gen Barrow stepped down as 27th Commandant of the Marine Corps on 26 June 1983, President Ronald W. Reagan presided over the ceremony at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. Gen Barrow returned to Louisiana where he lived in retirement.

Gen Barrow was a three-war Marine with unparalleled experience in conventional and irregular conflict. He commanded at every level. His deep sense of purpose and abiding love of the Corps propelled him from the rank of private to general and the Office of the Commandant. He was the first Marine to serve a regular 4-year tour as a full member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

He was a leader in personnel reform and was instrumental in the decision to make the commanding generals of the recruit depots the two chief regional recruiters. He believed a better quality of recruit led to an increase in performance and retention. As such, he advocated an increase in the percentage of high school graduates and screening programs for recruiters and drill instructors. As Commandant he addressed substance abuse and alcoholism by ending the tolerance of drug abusers and problem drinkers. Under his steady hand the Marine Corps reached a plateau of excellence in attracting and retaining quality men and women.

In the essay he wrote for the book, “Commandants of the Marine Corps,” Brigadier General Edwin Simmons quoted the personal credo of Gen Barrow: “In any institution or undertaking, the importance of people transcends all else.” Gen Barrow maintained, throughout his life, an abiding love and respect for his Marines. We, in turn, will miss him greatly. He was preceded in death by his wife Patty, who passed away on 13 Feb. 2006.

General and Mrs. Barrow are survived by five children, Charles C. Pulliam of Greenville, S.C., Cathleen P. Harmon of Killeen, Texas, Barbara B. Kanegaye of Houston, Texas, Mary B. Hannigan of Oakton, Va. and LtCol Robert H. Barrow USMC (Ret) of Tampa, Fla., eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

A private funeral for family and friends will be held on November 3 at 1:00 p.m. Pallbearers are sons Charles C. Pulliam and LtCol. Robert H. Barrow, USMC (Ret); grandsons Richard S. Bassett, Robert C. Bassett, Collin J. Hannigan, Mark J. Hannigan, Pierce T. Hannigan, S. Denham Turner III, and Scott B. Turner; and nephews Emmette E. Barrow (former USN) and Bertrand H. Barrow (former USMC).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to: The Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery Fund, 11621 Ferdinand Street, St. Francisville, LA 70775; The Injured Marine/Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102, PMB #609, Oceanside, CA 92057 (note donation made in Memory of General Barrow); and/or The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Donations, Neuro-Oncology Department, P.O. Box 301402 - Unit 431, Houston, TX 77230-1402 (The address for the UT Cancer Center must read exactly as indicated for funds to reach the Cancer Center).

From A Story of Exceptional Valor and Faith

...Before serving two tours in Vietnam, he completed scuba, Ranger, airborne and jump master training. He was also an Exchange Officer to the British Royal Marines, during which time he participated in a Northern Malaysian campaign with the famous Gurkha Rifles.

Col. Ripley is most famous for blowing up the bridge at Dong Ha in Vietnam. He accomplished this act of epic heroism after three days of intense combat, without any food or sleep. A few sips of water from his canteen provided his only sustinence. This superhuman feat crippled the 1972 North Vietnamese Easter invasion which ended in defeat. Thus, the government honored Col. Ripley’s leadership, heroism and self-sacrifice at Dong Ha with a Navy Cross, America’s second highest military decoration.

Col. Ripley is also a man of faith. He attributes the destruction of the Dong Ha bridge to the grace of God and the Blessed Virgin Mary. He related how he felt all physical strength evaporate while placing explosives under the bridge. To continue, he composed a simple ryming prayer: “Jesus, Mary, get me there… Jesus, Mary, get me there…” He repeatedly said this prayer on the bridge and a supernatural assistance came to his aid at a much-needed time. He stated: “This aid was tangible. It was all-consuming.” His mission would have been impossible without it....

The most interesting part of our meeting was when Col. Ripley explained the essence of a true leader is one who sets the example and shows his troops how to act, rather than tell them what to do from a desk and ask them to report back. Col. Ripley is one such leader. He never shied away from action, but always preferred to be on the front lines with his men.

In addition to being deadly on the battlefield, this tough marine is also lethal in the realm of ideas. After hearing about the TFP Student Action bebates on university campuses, he described the wonderful time he had appearing on [CNN's former program] Crossfire to debate a female Air Force general defending the need for women in the military. She could not stand up against the bulletproof logic of Col. Ripley’s real life combat experierce.

Col. Ripley deserves our tribute, respect and admiration.

He taught us that to be a true leader one must have faith in God and Our Lady. He explained how being a leader means setting the example. Moreover, his heroic actions at Dong Ha speak even louder than his words.

It was truly an honor and privilege to meet this model soldier, a man with profound zeal for the Catholic Church and high ideals for which he is willing to give his life. My TFP colleagues and I will never forget him.

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