Posted on 11/05/2004 8:17:39 PM PST by Racehorse
A Medal of Honor recipient today urged U.S. leaders to adopt a get-tough strategy in Iraq, telling a crowd of troops and veterans that GIs are on the defensive there and must become far more aggressive if America is to defeat terrorists.
Retired Army Col. Robert Howardv, who earned his Medal of Honor in a Vietnam War firefight, told soldiers, veterans and civilians at a San Antonio American Legion post that insurgents "would know that I'm over there" if he were in Iraq.
"I'm not going to sit up in a fixed base and get my people blown up in convoys. I'm going to saturate them with patrols, and I'm going to kick you know what, and every time I shoot one of them he'll know he's been shot," Howard, 65, of San Antonio said midway in his address.
"You know, when you study the history of the (Ottoman) Empire, the only thing you can fight Jihad with is to separate the head from the body so the soul wanders forever," he continued. "And I wouldn't allow them the opportunity to blow themselves up. You know, you've got to know the enemy. I would shoot their head off or use a flame-thrower on them, and then they're not going to commit Jihad on any American."
Howard was the keynote speaker at the Air Force Association Combat Breakfast, where about 100 converged at 7:30 a.m. to dine on scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy. Though his comments seemed to take issue with the administration's Iraq strategy, Howard said he is reluctant to criticize the president, who is preoccupied with many issues. "The battlefield commanders are responsible for that," he said, from Lt. Gen. Thomas F. Metzv, the top ground chief, to young lieutenants.
(Excerpt) Read more at mysanantonio.com ...
The breakfast is one in a series "Celebrate America's Military Week" events, an annual Alamo City tribute to those in uniform. The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce sponsors the weeklong salute to the military, now in its 34th year. It had been called Armed Forces Week and was held each May. Howard was a sergeant first class on Dec. 30, 1968, when he rallied a badly shot-up American and Vietnamese platoon against an estimated 250 enemy troops. Though unable to walk after a cluster of grenades exploded, he organized a spirited defense while aiding others who had been hurt, and was the last man to board a helicopter.
[Snip]
My kind of soldier. Think he could be lured out of retirement?
Uh . . . Don't send him over there. He's a national treasure. But give him a top job in the Pentagon, dammit!
Exactly. Take no prisoners. This Hero knows that the only thing the Jihadists understand is death.
Great post. What a soldier. I bet he got more than a bandaid for that war action. He must have puked when Kerry said "I'm John Kerry and I'm reporting for duty."
It was very cool the way he didn't diss the President. Alawi was on tv tonite saying the same thing that the civilians have left Faluja and essentially saying "Kick A... Marines!" I really like Alawi...lets pray for our troops there and for Alawi to stay strong ( and alive). I hear he has the Seals protecting him, is that true?
He was nominated for the Medal of Honor three times in Vietnam and the noms were so good they went al the way through the system. He finally got it aftet his third nomination. He received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star for his other nominations.
The man is a legend in SF.
I think he's saying more than that. I'd have to refresh my study of Islam, but I think he's saying that Muslim's believe if a man's head is separated from his body, his soul wanders the early forever. That would explain their fondness for cutting off the heads of their enemies. If that I true, then this grizzled veteran is saying use their murderous faith against them, and kill them and multilate them in ways that will literally put the fear of God into them. Psy-ops.
I at least share his disagreement with the Bush Administration's reluctance to identify the enemy as "ISLAM", not "Terror", or "Islamic Fanatics". As I and other's have posted countness times, there is no great body of "normal" Muslims so outraged at the hyjacking of their religion, that they're marching in the streets of Muslim countries, and joining the Marines to kill the fake Muslims.
By in large, Muslims ALL SUPPORT THE JIHADISTS, although some may differ in their methods and approach. Devout Muslims may thing these Islamofascists are wrong to cut off heads of innocents, but since the bad guys ARE Muslims, they can't be entirely evil .. just misguided.
Islam is the enemy. Once we can properly identify the enemy, then we can plan an intelligent defense against the purveyers of Islamic evil. Until we properly identify the enemy, we'll just be sending our kids to die chasing Osama ghosts.
If Osama levels New York, take out Medina and Mecca. Make it clear in the Islamic world that we value our mothers, sisters, brothers, fathers, and children more than we value one, single Muslim man, woman, child, Iman, or "holy place".
Radical? Yeah, and that's not what "we" American's do. But, unless we "charge" a price that the Muslim terrorists and dictators will not pay, OUR men, woman, children, and soldiers will continue to be cannon fodder for the Islamists. If that price is not Mecca and Medina, we'd better identify what they value most, and hit it hard, or more American's will die en-mass on U.S. soil, and our Marines and Soldiers will keep dying overseas 1, 2, 5, 10, or 20 a week forever.
SFS
Bush needs now to go ahead and get control of the crazy parts of Iraq. Otherwise, the radical Muslims are encouraged.
This MOH recipient talks of measures that the press would smell out and the Kennedy's and Clintons of the world would be screaming bloody murder. Look at what they did when the Abu Ghraib panty episode broke.
If you are interested in reading more about Bob Howard, I suggest John Plaster's books, "SOG" and "Secret Commandos". Col. Howard had mixed feelings about his nomination for the Medal of Honor, for it meant that he could no longer fight with his SF brothers. Truly a great warrior.
Make the other dumb SOB die for HIS country(or 'religion').
We need more military leaders with this attitude. Hopefully, now that GWB's re-election has occured, we'll start killing these barbarians in their tracks.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 30 December 1968. Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala. Born: 11 July 1939, Opelika, Ala. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. 1st Lt. Howard (then Sfc .), distinguished himself while serving as platoon sergeant of an American-Vietnamese platoon which was on a mission to rescue a missing American soldier in enemy controlled territory in the Republic of Vietnam. The platoon had left its helicopter landing zone and was moving out on its mission when it was attacked by an estimated 2-company force. During the initial engagement, 1st Lt. Howard was wounded and his weapon destroyed by a grenade explosion. 1st Lt. Howard saw his platoon leader had been wounded seriously and was exposed to fire. Although unable to walk, and weaponless, 1st Lt. Howard unhesitatingly crawled through a hail of fire to retrieve his wounded leader. As 1st Lt. Howard was administering first aid and removing the officer's equipment, an enemy bullet struck 1 of the ammunition pouches on the lieutenant's belt, detonating several magazines of ammunition. 1st Lt. Howard momentarily sought cover and then realizing that he must rejoin the platoon, which had been disorganized by the enemy attack, he again began dragging the seriously wounded officer toward the platoon area. Through his outstanding example of indomitable courage and bravery, 1st Lt. Howard was able to rally the platoon into an organized defense force. With complete disregard for his safety, 1st Lt. Howard crawled from position to position, administering first aid to the wounded, giving encouragement to the defenders and directing their fire on the encircling enemy. For 3 1/2 hours 1st Lt. Howard's small force and supporting aircraft successfully repulsed enemy attacks and finally were in sufficient control to permit the landing of rescue helicopters. 1st Lt. Howard personally supervised the loading of his men and did not leave the bullet-swept landing zone until all were aboard safely. 1st Lt. Howard's gallantry in action, his complete devotion to the welfare of his men at the risk of his life were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
Turn on the TV and enjoy the show.
I heard John Kerry also served in Vietnam on a Swift Boat and got some medals for it.
Shook his hand once. Great guy - he has the glow.
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