Replies

North Burma ____ February - March, 1944
1st Lt. Logan E. Weston of Youngstown, Ohio, was called the “Fightin’ Preacher” by the Marauders because he had broken off studying for the ministry to join the Army and go into combat. Weston enlisted in the 37th Division, was graduated from officer training school in Fiji, fought on New Georgia, then volunteered far the Marauders, winding up as leader of an intelligence and reconnaissance platoon that played a key role in Marauder actions from Walawbum on. Here he cleans his carbine ammunition and magazines between patrols.

Behind Japanese Lines In Northern Burma
Yank The Army Weekly-June 09 1944-Vol. 2 No 51 By Sgt. Dave Richardson Yank Staff Correspondent

The crackle of a couple of Nambu light machine guns and the whipsnap of Ariska rifles stopped the single-file column of Merrill's Marauders and sent the men scrambling for cover on both sides of the narrow jungle trail.

They had trudged nearly 250 miles in the last four weeks. After marching up 116 miles of the Ledo Road, they had swung wide around the Jap positions that were holding up the Chinese drive in the Hukawng Valley of Northern Burma. They had followed narrow native paths and elephant trails through dense undergrowth and high elephant grass and across dozens of rivers and streams.

This was to be the first of their missions as a volunteer raiding outfit behind Jap lines--attacking the enemy rear supply base of Walawbum to force a Jap withdrawal 30 miles northward so the Chinese could push through. The Marauders led by Brig. Gen. Frank D Merrill, who had walked out of Burma with Stilwell two years before, were this afternoon only three miles from their goal.

The CO of the unit that had bumped into Jap resistance sent for 1st Lt. Logan E Weston of Youngstown, Ohio. A slim, quet pokerfaced young officer, Weston edged his way through the bush to the CO's side.

"Weston," said the CO, "take your intelligence and reconnaissance platoon across the river and move south to a position near the river bank that will cover us from the Walawbum area when we drive through this village of Langag Ga. on the east bank."

(read more from Yank, the Army Weekly)

I had the great honor and privilege of getting to know Colonel Weston some years ago when we published his book, The Fightin' Preacher. The tales he had to tell were both harrowing and uplifting. What an ordeal these men went through! Col. Weston was one of the most heavily decorated soldiers, with over 200 medals and awards to his credit, and fought in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. My husband and I went to the Merrill's Marauders Reunion about 10 years ago and met the most fantastic group of gentlemen. I'm thrilled that you're doing this theme today in the Foxhole!

(If anyone wants to borrow a copy of his autobiography, FReepmail me!)

Colonel Logan Weston
United States Army (Retired)
http://www.marauder.org/weston.htm

Colonel Logan Weston, U.S. Army (Retired), is a veteran of three major wars: World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Col. Weston was drafted into the Army in 1941. He worked his way up through the ranks to Staff-Sergeant before receiving a battle field commission to Second Lieutenant. Col. Weston's unwavering devotion to his country and to his faith have earned him a larger-than-life reputation and undying devotion from his men even to this day.
He is considered one of the most heavily decorated soldiers in American history. Among the awards Col. Weston has earned is the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts a Legion of Merit, Presidential Unit Citations, the Combat Infantryman Badge (3 awards), and the Parachute Jump Badge (3 awards). Col. Weston has received Commendations from the Governments of Australia, Nationalist China, India, Korea, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand. Col. Weston has been honored by Senate and House Resolutions from the states of New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. It has been recommended to the Department of Defense that Colonel Weston receive the Congressional Medal of Honor (No resolution to the recommendation has been reached at this time). Col. Weston was inducted into the U.S. Army Ranger "Hall of Fame" in it's inaugural year of 1992, he also has been installed in the "Soldiers / Sailors Memorial" in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, he has been honored by the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge Pennsylvania.
Col. Weston's 28 year long illustrious military career terminated in 1968. At this time he assumed the position of "Coordinator of Religious Life" at Texas A & M University. After 13 years at the university, he retired to volunteer in Christian Ministry and telephone prayer/counseling work, as well as doing occasional speaking engagements.
Col. Weston is the epitome of one who from a humble beginning answered his God's calling. He achieved excellence spiritually, academically and in military service. It is a rare man who can strike such a balance of serving his God and his Country with such harmony. He is a true American Hero.