Marines bid farewell to one of their heroes (Col. John Ripley)

With moist eyes, young midshipmen and hardened old warriors alike, stood at attention yesterday as the casket of Vietnam War hero retired Marine Col. John Walter Ripley was taken from the Naval Academy Chapel.

One old comrade, who stood with Col. Ripley against a large Communist force on Easter Sunday 1972, flew in from California for the funeral Mass and final commendation.

"Col. Ripley worked as my adviser for two years," retired Vietnamese Marine Corps Lt. Col. Le Ba Binh said through a translator during an interview. "He was a genuine guy, very nice, very well spoken. It hit me hard when I heard" about his death....

Col. Ripley, who died last week at age 69, graduated from the Naval Academy in 1962. He lived in Annapolis....

Col. Ripley was assigned as a military adviser in 1972, when the United States was trying to shift onto the South Vietnamese more responsibility for conducting the war.

While an "adviser," he virtually single-handedly stalled an invading column of communist tanks by blowing up the bridge at the town of Dong Ha, South Vietnam....

Determined to destroy the bridge even though he was under heavy fire, Col. Ripley swung beneath the structure and advanced by walking with his hands.

He worked for three hours, going back and forth to carry ordnance, until he had packed the bridge's steel beams with 500 pounds of explosives....

Col. Ripley's awards include the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Star Medals with Combat "V," the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the South Vietnamese Army Distinguished Service Order, and the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Gold Star.

I like the fact that if you are a self-declared enemy of America, running into a US Marine outfit in combat is your worst nightmare . . .
and your medical record is about to get a lot thicker or be closed out entirely!

I like the fact that US Marines are steadfast and consistent in everything they do . . . regardless if you agree with them or not.

I like the fact that US Marines hold the term ‘politically correct’ with nothing but pure disdain.

I like the fact that US Marines stand tall and rigid in their actions, thoughts and deeds when others bend with the direction of the wind and are as confused as a dog looking at a ceiling fan!

I like the fact that each and every US Marine considers the honor and legacy of the Corps as his personal and sacred trust to protect and defend.

I like the fact that most civilians don’t have a clue what makes US Marines tick and that’s not a bad thing, because if they did, it would probably scare the hell out of them!

I like the fact that others say they want to be like US Marines, but don’t have what it takes in the ‘PAIN-GAIN-PRIDE’ department to make it happen.

I like the fact that the US Marines came into being in a bar, Tun Tavern and that US Marines still gather in pubs, bars and slop chutes to share sea stories and hot scoop!

I like the fact that US Marines do not consider it a coincidence that there are 24 hours in a day and 24 beers in a case, because US Marines know there is a reason for everything that happens!

I like the US Marine motto . . . SEMPER FIDELIS . . . and the fact that US Marines don’t shed it when the going gets tough, the battlefield gets deadly, or when they hang up their uniform for the last time.

I like the fact that US Marines take care of each other . . . in combat and time of peace.

I like the fact that US Marines know the difference between ‘Chicken Salad’ and ‘Chicken Shit’ and aren’t afraid to call either for what it is!

I like the fact that the people of America hold US Marines in the highest esteem and that they know that they can count on the US Marines to locate, close with and destroy those who would harm them!

I like the fact that people think US Marines are cocky . . . yet US Marines have confidence in everything they do and the fact they don’t know the taste of that makes them look at US Marines as if we are arrogant!

I like that fact that US Marines know the taste of freedom and would give our very lives for it; it’s a taste that the protected will never know!

I like the fact that Ronald Regan said; ‘Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference . . . US Marines don’t have that problem!’ I like the fact that US Marines are brothers to the end and that no matter what happens in life we know we have one another’s ‘six’!

I like the fact that a couple of years ago an elected member of Congress felt compelled to publicly accuse the US Marine Corps of being ‘radical and extreme.’ I also like the fact that the Commandant informed that member of Congress that she was absolutely correct and that he had passed on his thanks for the compliment!

I like the fact that US Marine leaders-of every rank-know that issuing every man and woman a black beret-or polka-dotted boxer shorts for that matter-does absolutely nothing to promote morale, fighting spirit or combat effectiveness.

I like the fact that US Marines are US Marines first . . . regardless of age, race, creed, color, sex, national origin, how long they served, or what goals they achieve in life!

I like US Marines . . . and I love the fact that I am humbled to walk along the ranks of other US Marines!

I like the fact that you always know where you stand with a US Marine!
With US Marines, there is no middle ground or gray area. There are only missions, objectives, and facts.

Author Unknown

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.