Command Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley, character in movie "We Were Soldiers," dies at age 92

Ledger-Enquirer ^ | October 10, 2012

[Gamecock]

Command Sgt. Maj. Basil L. Plumley, who served in the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam, died today at Columbus Hospice. He was 92.

Plumley of Columbus was also a veteran of World War II and the Korean War during a career that spanned 32 years. After retiring from the Army in 1974, he was employed at Martin Army Community Hospital at Fort Benning for another 15 years.

In Vietnam, he served as the sergeant major of 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment which was commanded by Lt. Gen. Hal Moore. Moore was a lieutenant colonel in the 1965 battle that led to a book co-authored by Moore titled, "We Were Soldiers Once, and Young."

The book became a movie, starring Mel Gibson as Moore. Plumley's role was played by Sam Elliott.

[hadaclueonce]

Thank you sir.

[Ol' Sox]

Condolences on the loss of the Sgt Maj. We have not, and will not, forget. Thank you for your service, sir.

[Fledermaus]

Lt. Colonel Hal Moore: I think you oughta get yourself an M-16. Sergeant Major Basil Plumley: Sir, if the time comes I need one, there'll be plenty lying on the ground.

Best line in the movie.

[oneolcop]

When my son was stationed at Ft. Benning he saw CSM Plumley in front of the post exchange. He said "Good morning Sergeant Major." To which CSM Plumley replied "I know what kind of a G_d damned day it is."

He was irascible, to say the least.

[beelzepug]

The flag in my front yard has been lowered to half-staff. Every army needs its officers but without NCOs it wouldn’t move. God bless you, Sgt. Major Plumley. Well done.

[beelzepug]

Or as he answered in the movie, “What are you, a f’ing weather man?”.

[BenLurkin]

Interesting patch...

Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation

[Homer_J_Simpson]

In the movie, when Col. Moore introduces the sergeant to his officers, I was stunned at the recital of the jumps and battles he had taken part in. It almost defies belief. There can’t be anyone else who can claim that resume. What a man!

[vetvetdoug]

My service pales in comparison to CSM Plumley’s service. RIP Chief.

[GenXteacher]

RIP, Sgt. Plumley. God bless all veterans.

[Will we know the moment]

There are only two ranks in the military that are worth having, Master sargeants and Colonels.

[Joe 6-pack]

'There are only two ranks in the military that are worth having, Master sargeants and Colonels.

I think you'd be pretty hard pressed to find one Master Sergeant or Colonel who would agree with you on that.

[xzins]

my 2 favorite ranks in the army were committed privates and 2nd lieutenants.

Absolute unpredictability combined with good intentions!

Now that is some scary, hair-brained, sometimes uproarious, s__t!

[Gamecock]

My favorite joke:

What are the 5 most dangerous things you can hear in the Army?

The Private who says “This is the way we did it in basic.”
The Sergeant who says “Trust me Sir.”
The Lieutenant who says “Based on my experience.”
The Captain who says “I have a great idea!”
The Warrant who says “Hey! Watch what happens when I do this!”

[Joe 6-pack]

None of those are jokes!

[KC Burke]

My dad was a Master Sergeant in WWII. Bronze Star, Battle of the Bulge, Colmar Pocket -- lived till '08 at age 90.

[beelzepug]

In ‘Nam I worked for a CWO3 and I swear that man had the best job in the Army. He was a veteran of WWII, Korea, and two tours in Vietnam. He had worked his way up to E-8, then got his warrant and had made it almost to the top there. Great guy - treated me like I was family.

[Gamecock]

Well, you have a point.

[Gamecock]

He had worked his way up to E-8, then got his warrant

I worked for a guy who was a SFC (E-7). He went to PA school, became a "Doc" and made it to CW3. Then in 1991 they commisioned the PAs and he became a Captain overnight. He retired as a Major back in 1998ish. He was hired back as a GS12 and retired from the Civil Service in 2011. Passed away two months later.

He never lost his crusty "Chief's" attitude, but he had a heart of pure gold.

RIP Charlie. When I was a young Captain you taught me a lot.