James Eubaun Richardson of Jacksboro was among nearly 3,000 U.S. soldiers deployed in 1944 on a secret mission behind enemy lines in Japanese-occupied Burma. They battled hunger, disease and enemy troops while trekking roughly 1,000 miles (1,610 kilometers) to capture a Japanese-held airfield.
-WiscoDave
I worked with one of those men at Ft Bragg in 1965 as cadre at ROTC camp.
ReplyDeleteHe wore a combat patch 8" X 5" and helped me replace an aiming circle head that was lost by one of my men ($1500.00).
He & I walked into a SF unit & he drew a crowd quick. He could have gotten anything they had. The respect & awe shown was unbelievable.
He was a quiet unassuming gentleman who had nothing left to prove to anyone.
I read about the Marauders years ago, and recently finished "Wrath in Burma", the story of what Stilwell had to go through to get troops in the field and supply them.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the Marauders from that perspective, their accomplishments are even more impressive.
Great story. The father of a guy I worked with was one of those guys and he was the real deal. He told a story about being lost alone in the jungle for I believe it was 35 days.
ReplyDeleteMay his soul be with Jesus and all the Glorious Wonder. He deserves it.
ReplyDeleteI'd imagine that the Grim Reaper approached politely.
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