Hello claspsofcourage could you possibly do video going over the medals Colonel Walter E Kurtz recieved in the movie apocalypse now directed by Francis Ford Coppola? It would be really cool and appreciated. Thanks
Comment on the National Defense Service Medal. That is an award that is given to every individual in the military at the time of awarding, even if they never left the United States. And he would have qualified for two of them as the first award was from 1950 to 1954 for the Korean War, and the second for the Vietnam War, 1961-1974. It has been awarded two other times since then. For the Gulf War, 1990-1995. And for the Global War on Terror, 2001 to 2022.
That insignia you showed at 1:25was for a Master Gunnery Sergeant, which is a grade E-9 NCO. A Gunnery Sergeant has only two rockers below a pair of crossed rifles, and that is a grade E-7 NCO, and it happens to be the honorary rank R. Lee Ermey held in the USMC. Ermey was a Staff Sergeant when he was honorably discharged, but out of respect for the powerful image of the Marines he portrayed in film, the USMC made him and honorary Gunnery Sergeant, and one of only a very few.
My grandfather (Lamar Lyle) on my mom's side was a Marine at Chosin Reservoir. His unit was captured and put inside a train car and moved to a POW camp. When they arrived at the POW camp, the North Koreans didn't want to deal with them. So instead of doing the honorable thing and taking proper care of them under the Geneva convention, they blew up the car with explosives. My grandfather was blasted out of the window and broke his back in three places. He was to only survivor and crawled to safety as the North Koreans were executing the wounded Marines. He lived until 1974 when he fell down the stairs and broke his neck. I never met him as I was born in 1986, but from everything I have read, he was a great man and one hell of a Marine. Rest in Peace Grandpa Lyle
The machine gunner on the helicoter who tried to convince Joker and Rafter man to do a story about him, that actor was the original Drill Sergeant. Ermey just outmaneuvered him.
@@pacificostudios Absolutely! No one could capture the spirit of the Marine Corps Drill Instructor like an actor who had actually been one, and Ermey had a special gift among Drill Instructors. He actually kept up an unbroken string of obscenity, scataology, and profanity against one of the actors playing a recruit for fifteen minutes solid just to prove that he could. I met him once in Alabama at a gun show, and managed to persuade him to go to Waffle House with me and my friend, and he was as decent, good-humored, and generous a man as you could hope for. He sat with us for hours. And the story of the conversation he had with my friend is practically enough to write a book about on its own. You think you love Ermey now? You should have been there. You would think the man walks on water now. We sure as hell do. God bless him.
R. Lee Ermey was also a drill instructor for the movie "Boys of Company C" as well as an NCO in the "Siege of Firebase Gloria". He had many more roles but these are my favorites as well as a SciFi TV series involving Space Marines but he was the DI as well. When he opened his mouth you knew he was the genuine Marine.
He was also a helicopter pilot in "Apocalypse Now". I seem to recall that was his first role and he was doing studies at the University of Manila at the time.
Don't forget his role as a helicopter pilot in Apocalypse Now. Very few people know of his role in the Boys of Company C. It's interesting how FMJ followed the same format: BMT to Tet
R. Lee Ermey himself received the following military awards during his service: Meritorious Unit Commendation Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (2 bronze stars) National Defense Service Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal (1 Bronze star) Marine Corps Drill Instructors Ribbon Vietnam Gallantry Cross (with Palm) Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Vietnam Campaign Medal Sharpshooter Badge (Pistol) Marksman Badge (Rifle) 2 Service Strips
My grandfather is basically a real-life Hartman. He joined right before Korea, then deployed to Da Nang sometime in 1964-65, and after that tour they sent him to Paris Island to be a drill instructor.
Staff Sergeant Albert Ireland has the distinction of being awarded the most Purple Hearts of any individual across all branches of service. During his 12 years of service - spanning two wars from 1941 to 1953 - Ireland was wounded a total of nine times. Albert fought his way across the Pacific with the Marines during World War II, during which time he was wounded five times. During the Korean War, he was wounded four more times, and the last one was severe enough that he was medically discharged.
You can add New Zealand 🇳🇿 Kiwis served in Vietnam from 1964 to 1972 over 3000 served their had a lot of family their sadly all have passed from cancer.
Well done. My only contention would be that Hartman coming back from Vietnam and immediately being made Senior Drill Instructor. You don't get senior DI unless you went through a couple of cycles of being a junior DI. In other words he would have had to graduate a couple of classes prior, then be made senior drill instructor. Which means someone would have had to mentor Hartman prior, which is in itself scary.
This is the old Army though. He could have been put there by a general's orders or something because "THIS is the kind of man we need training our boys, Major. Make it happen."
Exactly as I was sitting here thinking "....but there's 12 ribbons not 10???" you immediately pointed out the remaining 2 at the end of the summary. Thanks! RIP Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey.
This is where General Oliver P Smith said, "Retreat hell, were just attacking in a different direction". My wife's cousin was killed with the 31st, my grandfather was with 2nd Mar div over there. Great video keep up the good work. Semper Fi
First, damn good job on almost all of the presentation. GySgt Hartman's awards were led astray by the Vietnam Gallantry Cross UNIT CITATION with palm device. This pesky award was issued first in 1956 at five levels as an individual award (plain, palm device, gold star, silver star and bronze star). Due to the volume of the award, it was later converted to a unit award as a Presidential citation, earning the gold frame. This would place it just after the Korea Presidential Citation ribbon which also has a gold frame. The placement in the movie would be correct if it was issued by the U. S. President. His sequential good conduct medals (medal + 5 additional awards) would indicate 18 to 20 years of service without disciplinary action. I can imagine Hartman was probably close on several occasions as a junior NCO. Again, from a 36-year Navy Master Chief, keep up the good work and have a good holiday.
Thank you for this. For the record, the US 1st Marine Division was composed of three infantry regiments: the 1st, 5th and 7th Marine Regiments and an artillery regiment, the 11th. Prior to April 1941, the United States Marine Corps had only been organized into Regiments. It had never before had division-sized units. When Congress authorized the formation of division-sized units, the 1st, 5th and 7th Marine regiments, plus the 11th Marine Regiment, became the USMC's first-ever division. Thus, was born, "the First Marine Division." Because the USMC had never before had a division-sized unit, the regiments retained their names and identities as "First Marines," "Fifth Marines," "Seventh Marines" and "Eleventh Marines."
My first platoon commander was a Warrant Officer, usually called a Marine Gunner. He was a World War II and Korean War veteran. He was at the invasion of Guam and Iwo Jima during World War II and the Chosin Reservoir during Korea. He said there was a British unit with them at the Chosin Reservoir and the unit passed thru their lines to attack towards another surrounded unit. He said that they were marching out with a bagpiper blowing on the bagpipes. Some hours later, they suddenly heard a bugle sound off in front of their lines and he thought is was the British coming back thru, but instead it was a Chinese attack. As for the movie, I laughed during the boot camp scenes but when I saw Pyle in the head with his rifle, I knew someone was going to die.
Well done. The Gunny said in an interview that he did not put the awards in the proper order if I recall correctly. He said he wanted it to be phony so nobody would think he was wearing awards that he did not earn. He left the service as a Staff Sergeant (E6). Because of his performance in this movie, the Marines made him an honorary Gunnery Sergeant. There are a lot of videos on you tube of him at ceremonies doing interviews
11:00 The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was awarded for the 1958 deployment to Beirut, so the lessor Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal would not have been awarded for that. I did a video a few years ago analyzing Hartman’s medals, and I apologize it is in Japanese for that is my audience, but as a former US Marine I think I bring a little more insight into Hartman’s possible career. For instance, for him to have been a gunnery sergeant and a senior drill instructor by the time of the movie, he would have had to entered the Marine Corps between 1945 and 1946 which would have qualified him for a WWII Victory Medal that he doesn’t wear in the movie. Second, after reading Marine Corps records between 1946 and 1958, I came to the conclusion that the only action for which a landing was conducted in foreign soil, combat action occurred and no other service medal is authorized is most likely the mopping up operations against Japanese troops that were conducted on Peleliu Island by infantry Marines deployed from Hawaii in March of 1947, and this is what I speculate that Hartman received his Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for. In order for Hartman to be a Senior Drill by the time of the movie, he would have had to started being a regular drill instructor by August of 1965. Combat Marines were first deployed into Vietnam in March of 1965, and it is very unlikely they would just send out one of their most experienced Marines to go be a drill instructor just months after getting into combat. So it is my conclusion that Hartman did not fight in Vietnam, though he may have served as an advisor in the early 60s. At the end, I take all the information from the movie and present his mostly likely awards. I hope my video is helpful. Randy th-cam.com/video/ePqUMRz-LqY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=DOE5rnTJNBSnOBQT
@ That was part of a joint Armed Forces expedition so the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was awarded. I actually cover that in my Gunny Highway video.
I had no idea there was still fighting on Peleliu in 1947. That is fascinating. Are there any accounts of this I can read? I know that Japanese soldiers were involved in post-WWII combat operations in Indochina and Indonesia as well.
How has this channel only got 4k subs? It's amazing the work you do. Please keep making content. Mixing fact with fiction. Remind me of Mark Felton mixed with History Chao and Operations Room.
In the Marine Corps, a Good Conduct Medal is awarded after 4 years of service, without any mishaps or being written up for infractions, which disqualifys the Marine, a Good Conduct Medal. It’s not that hard, just do your job and stay out of trouble. Semper Fidelis (I didn’t know that after 1993 the Good Conduct Medal was awarded after 3 years, my mistake. But This is a great video.
The Distinguished Service Medal is the 3rd highest medal for the USMC. The Silver Star is the 4th highest.. I'm a Marine Veteran and I love the Brits.. Some hard core Blokes. Love the Aussies too.
Thank you for this. I was trying to identify the medals that Cory was wearing at the end of “Fences.” and was having a hard time. I figured out that he had the vietnam service medal, south vietnam campaign medal, and marine corps good conduct medal, but I couldn’t figure out what the red and gold medal, and his first medal on top (green on the outside, red, white, and blue in the middle) meant. he has many of the same medals as heartman, so I was able to finally piece it together thanks to your video. On top he wears the unidentified medal and the marine corps good conduct medal. On bottom, going from left to right, he wears the Marine Corps expeditionary medal, the Vietnam service medal, and South Vietnam campaign medal.
41 Independent Commando Royal Marines was formed of volunteers equipped completely by the US (except for their Green berets) and used originally as raiders put ashore from submarine and ships to destroy Trains, tunnels and other infra structure. "Green Berets in Korea: The Story of 41 Independent Commando Royal Marines 1950-52 " by Fred Hayhurst, tells their incredible story..
I requested my father's DD214 (USN 1953 - 1957) in 2019 and they spent three months searching the National Archives in St. Lewis, MO, for his discharge papers. They sent three of his four metals (they forgot his Good Conduct Ribbon). 🙍♂They deliberately did not include the (8:34) UN Service Medal. I called them, and the employee said the metal was given to the service members by the United Nations and not the US Navy. I just got one on eBay and put together an incredible shadow box. ⚓👷
1. There have been no new minting of Purple Hearts since the original minting. That many casualties were expected in WW2. 2. Dad met R Lee several times. We even have an autographed picture and one of his personal coins. Him and dad were in some of the same places at the same time in nam. 3. He has stated he was not really interested in the role, but his fellow instructors urged him to audition. He states he took a tape recorder into an unused barracks and recorded a standard intro screaming at new recruits. Submitted the tape expecting nothing to come of it. 4. He has always said he "severely" disagreed with the writers and director over Pile having been able to have unaccounted for live ammo but was ignored.
Ribbon rack order of precedence: Top row closest to the heart is the highest ranking US medal. From there the medals go in descending order, ending in the lowest ranking US medal (usually National Defense, which is basically a participation medal as anyone in the US armed forces gets one whether in combat or not during a time of war). After that come Unit citations, again in order of rank, then campaign ribbons in order of rank. After all this, any foreign awarded medals and ribbons are placed in order of rank. So the tiers are rightmost to left (Leftmost to right when looking at it directly), top to bottom in descending order. "Gunny Hartman" could've also been in the 5th Marines at yu dam nee guarding the rear of the retreat. They also got a Presidential Unit Citation for their efforts. Few of that unit survived.
You displayed an E-9 rank - that of Master Gunnery Sergeant - three chevrons, four rockers and an exploding bomb in the middle. A Gunntery Sergeant (E-7) has three chevrons and two rockers.
My Uncle was a Marine at Chosin, called the Frozen Chosen. He said that everywhere he ran, he got shot in the back. Unk Tom was a great and happy man. Hero in my book. He instilled in me, to join the Vietnam War. Navy Combat Engineer, Seabees. 1970 -- 1974
Dad was with 7th infantry division US Army at this battle. They prevented the 4th marine division from being wiped out. He was wounded and made a POW. Received the Former POW, Presidential unit citation, Purple Heart, Bronze star.
Despite some pronunciation errors, calling Koto-Ri "Koto" , this is a hell of a good video. Lots of history explained quickly and concisely. What cracks me up though is how everyone thinks Hartman was a real hard ass. Trust me, Hartman was the nicest, fatherly DI ever!!
The Vietnam Cross of Gallantry is in the wrong order. Although it is a gallantry award, it is still a foreign decoration. It should be after the Vietnam Service Medal which is the last of the US decorations. This is where we were instructed to display the decoration ribbon, although I have seen other foreign gallantry awards (Such as the French Croix de Guerre) displayed following the US gallantry awards on other service ribbon bars.
I was in 4/31 Infantry (Polar Bears) in the late 80's. Our Battalion Commander had a reunion while I was there. Among those present were veterans going back to WW1. There were also Bataan death march survivors, and veterans of "The Frozen Chosin", a few of whom lost toes to frostbite.
We have a sub series on the Korean War happening with the latest videos. You have to check out the Korean War Memorial in Seoul. Great artifacts, amazing static displays and its free right in the heart of the city!
I donno, Gunny Hartman was pretty much run of the mill from what I remember of my DI’s aboard The Island back in the day…(the year of Woodstock)…a little lenient, actually, compared to one or two I ran across…kind of like a Scout leader…sort of…😅
There is a movie that's mostly about cheerleaders and such, as I remember. But in one seen a father talks to US Marines who are busily folding up flags and not paying much attention. He casually comments that he was at the Marine Chosin Reservoir retreat where Marines wound not retreating, but attacking in the other direction to break out of the encirclement. Too bad they weren't paying attention, they would have learned more by seeing a previous generation of Marines. Circa 1968-1972 I was in college avoiding being drafted and working at a Target like store in Seattle (Jafco). A man working in another department no doubt thought I was a candy-ass, 1st class since I was also opposing the Vietnam War and opposing the draft (Draft Resistance Seattle). He had enlisted in the army at age 16 and fought through Europe, Korea and Vietnam and was (if memory serves me correctly) a Brigade Sergeant Major. He still was a relatively young man, too. He wore his uniform once, but I could scarcely look at it. I FELT like a candy ass at that point!
The Good Conduct Medal can be awarded (first award only) to Marines with less than the three year requirement if the Marine met the standards of conduct AND was discharged with less than three years for disability acquired in combat operations.
Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going to focus on some more real life veterans in the next couple of months or so. I will definitely add these chaps to the list.
@@davidwurbel6610 The problem is... When medals were awarded in WW2, they were hard earned... 1LT Audie Murphy didn't really have that many, especially compared to the average Specialist in the Army today... 1LT Murphy had maybe 9 ribbons along with the CIB if I remember correctly... The average Joe today with 3 years in probably has at least these: Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, NCO Development Ribbon... Seven medals just for showing up for formation! Also today we have Generals who barely have enough chest for their ribbons... They didn't have to do anything particularly noble or valorous... Medals are an automatic when "deployed"... And they are based on rank... Compare General Patton with General Miiley... Nuff said...
Also I note that the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry shown when he is wearing the ribbon bars in the movie has a brass frame around the ribbon. Brass frames around the ribbon (with the exception of the Navy/Marine Presidential Unit Citation) usually denote a unit award such as the Army PUC (a dark blue ribbon with a Brass frame around it.) If the brass frame Gunny Hartman is wearing is correct, it's a Vietnamese PUC, not an individual gallantry award and definitely in the wrong position as far as I know. The VCoG for valor is a ribbon suspended medal. The Vietnamese PuC would simply be a brass framed ribbon and not a medal. Unit citations would normally be worn on the ribbon bar as shown but in full dress where suspended medals were worn over the left breast pocket, ribbon awards that did not have suspended medals would be worn over the right breast pocket.
You are correct on the position of the RVN Gallantry Cross. It was awarded to all who served in theater with Palm and Frame. The position is wrong for current display/wear. But at the time it was first awarded it is possible there was confusion or lack of clarity on its order. It was authorized for wear in 1968 with backdating award to 1961. Tet offensive was in 1968 ie, in the movie, so Gunnery Sergeant Hartmann was wearing it prior to general authorization. So it is likely he was awarded but the official precedence of ribbon order wasn't defined yet. Considering he would have been awarded at the time, he could have seen it as a valor medal thus above the Good Conduct and services ribbons.
The Presidential Unit Citation worn on the upper left side (right side as you look at the depiction) 0:34 is correct in the insert with the red arrows pointing out the PH and the NDSM BUT is incorrect in every scene in the movie where it is shown. The PUC is properly displayed with the blue line at the top, yellow in the middle and red on the bottom. In the movie, he is displaying his ribbon upside down with red on the top. The PUC is a ribbon, no medal was awarded. I know this this because I also wear the ribbon.
Funny when you talked about the Marines look out to sea and seeing the Navy ship thinking did, I join the wrong branch of the service? Heck yea they did, I was in the Navy and really enjoyed our AC and Ice Cream. Actually, you would not see my ship out there since I was on a submarine.
Not all US Navy warships in the Vietnam-era had air conditioned spaces, except perhaps for electronics spaces. Nor did all ships have ice cream makers. The destroyers would sometimes get ice cream if they refueled from an aircraft carrier. While I was a Marine in Vietnam, later in life I worked with a guy who had been a corpsman on a destroyer on the gunline. He told me what they had and didn't have. Also, I noted that Gunny Hartman's Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame is placed on his rack out of order. It should have been between the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the US Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon. It certainly is not senior to his Good Conduct Medal ribbon as it is a unit award and the GCM is a personal award.
Hear hear! Gunny Highway is an amazing character, and it should be pointed out that he would have been awarded the US Army variety of the Medal of Honor, not the Navy variety, since he was a member of the 2nd Infantry Divison at Heartbreak Ridge when he was nominated for the Medal. It's a tricky question. Would a Marine wear the Navy Medal of Honor, or the Army Medal he was originally awarded?
@@jamesmoody5961 Yeah, but I still think it's an interesting question. I think it's curious that they never show Highway wearing the actual medal. Such a great character and such an odd backstory. I wonder why they chose to make him and Chouzoo former Army when there were Marines at Heartbreak Ridge. I would have loved more backstory on them.
The RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation ranks in precedence behind the ROK Presidential Unit Citation, and is to be worn after it but before any foreign service medals (a mistake on behalf of the wardrobe department).
In real life R. Lee Ermey received the RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, and the RVN Campaign Medal but, as is the standard, wore them below his US ribbons.
Hartman could entirely have been a Sergeant during Chosin. Assuming he enlisted before 1949, he would have at least two years in service by the time of Chosin, and considering the extreme pressures and casualty rates, if he had shown strong leadership capability at the time, he would absolutely have been promoted to Sergeant.
My wife’s grandfather lived to be 89, and spent a year and half in Korea as a machine gunner and later squad leader in the 24th and 45th Infantry Divisions. He made it from Private to Staff Sergeant in 2 years. Crazy when you think about it from today’s standpoint.
@@MDR-hn2yz Unlike today's US Military with its NINE (9) Enlisted Pay-Grades, at that time period there were but SEVEN (7) Enlisted Pay-Grades and SSgt was only Pay-Grade E5. Seen through that lens, it would not seem that far fetched, depending upon one's MOS, as well as the circumstances, situation, and conditions under which one was serving. At that same time, Gunnery Sgt. was Pay-Grade E6. My younger brother was drafted into the USMC seven years after I had joined and he made Corporal E4 with a total time in service of 9 months and 16 days while in VN. One should remember, at least 3 of those 9 months were spent training after reporting into PI on 01Apr68. And that would be just ONE (1) Pay-Grade less than the person you mentioned. I know that you're going to do the math and try catching me in error. Save us both the time and argument by doing the research yourself...at least, you'll save me the time!! I'll start you off with this link: www.angelfire.com/ca4/gunnyg/enlrk59.html Like I have stated earlier in this thread, I served with an E4 Sgt. with FOURTEEN (14) years in grade, not merely 14 years in the Corps! He had what was then known as a 'frozen mos'...MOS 3531 Motor T. Btw...I was in boot camp at PI at the same time R Lee Ermey was in boot camp at SD. Semper Fi
@@MDR-hn2yz Unlike today's US Military with its NINE (9) Enlisted Pay-Grades, at that time period there were but SEVEN (7) Enlisted Pay-Grades and SSgt was only Pay-Grade E5. Seen through that lens, it would not seem that far fetched, depending upon one's MOS, as well as the circumstances, situation, and conditions under which one was serving. At that same time, Gunnery Sgt. was Pay-Grade E6. My younger brother was drafted into the USMC seven years after I had joined and he made Corporal E4 with a total time in service of 9 months and 16 days while in VN. One should remember, at least 3 of those 9 months were spent training after reporting into PI on 01Apr68. And that would be just ONE (1) Pay-Grade less than the person you mentioned. I know that you're going to do the math and try catching me in error. Save us both the time and argument by doing the research yourself...at least, you'll save me the time!! I'll start you off with this link: www.angelfire.com/ca4/gunnyg/enlrk59.html Like I have stated earlier in this thread, I served with an E4 Sgt. with FOURTEEN (14) years in grade, not merely 14 years in the Corps! He had what was then known as a 'frozen mos'...MOS 3531 Motor T. Btw...I was in boot camp at PI at the same time R Lee Ermey was in boot camp at SD. Semper Fi
The Army was minimum 18 months in service to Sergeant (E-5) in OIF/OEF era. My MOS had automatic promotion of Specialist/Corporal (E-4) to Sergeant at 5 years if not attained early. This isn't the usual, of course, only star MOS, high demand jobs usually get this. 2 years is quite normal for a motivated soldier/marine, depending on the TIS minimums for the time period.
I love this video! Whomever developed the character of Hartman did some good research. So did the person who made this vid! Tying specific historical events to an individual, though that individual be fictional, is always interesting, so long as the historical events are interesting! 😂 Thanks!
Gunny Hartman's Presidential Unit Citation is worn upside down in the movie. One of only a few Navy/Marine Corps ribbons that are asymmetrical, this one is worn with the blue stripe on top. Ermey should've known that.
A side note is Chinese troops are put to service from southern tropical theatre to the frozen north. Without much winter equipment nor enough weaponry for everyone.
Alternate history for GySgt Hartman: he enlists in 1946, too late for WW2. Out of bootcamp, he is assigned to the MOS of admin clerk in Quantico, VA. He spends the next three years on a mill "typewriter", typing out orders and demobilization papers for Marines returning from the war. He requests to the infantry multiple times, but is denied. At the end of his first enlistment, Cpl. Hartman tells the Marine Corps he will not re-enlist if he is to remain an admin clerk. Because of his good conduct (more like he didn't get caught), he is offered the job of DI at MCRD San Diego. Cpl. Hartman checks into MCRD San Diego, where he's assigned the position of junior hat (junior DI) to a recruit platoon. He beats a recruit unconscious, and while awaiting NJP and possible involuntary separation form the Marine Corps, the Korean invasion happens, and the encirclement of US forces around Pusan. The beating incident is quickly forgotten (the paperwork is lost), as the recruit battalion is activated, and embarked on ships to Pusan. The recruits complete recruit training while underway towards Korea. Once in theater, the DIs become the squad leaders and the platoon sergeants. Cpl. Hartman quickly proves himself as an effective and efficient squad leader. When his platoon sergeant is killed in action, Cpl. Hartman is quickly promoted to the rank of Sgt. and assumes command of his platoon, where he is awarded the Silver Star for heroism at Chosin Reservoir.
If you do Tommy Shelby from “Peaky Blinders”, he was awarded the civilian OBE, DCM, MM, 14-15 Star, British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal. Admittedly, he threw most of those away.
Yes he's on the to-to list, thanks. I've never watched the series so hopefully I will get a chance to have a watch over the next month or so with the holidays.
I had one friend who was on the first landing by Marines they were met by girls selling Coca Cola he served 3 full 13-month tours in Nam. First tour he was a 106mm recoilless rifle gunner covering the airfield at Danang. Ammo was HEAT and APERS (Beehive) with a 50-caliber spotting rifle.
The National Defense Service medal is NOT awarded for gallantry or any type of combat. It simply is given as a indication that you have served in the military. It is awarded to Everyone who graduates basic training.
I do plan on focusing a few videos on some real historical combat veterans in the next couple of months, so I will add de Wiart to the research list, thanks.
During WW2 the us felt that there would be so many casualties they made so many purple heart medals that they were still reaching into surplus in the 90s and early 00s. They didnt expect anyone to ever come back.
The time period of this movie is more likely 1965 into 1966. The references being the Christmas prayer making it toward the end of a year, with the platoon graduating in 1966. Joke and Cowboy were more than likely were held over 3-6 months afterwards due to the investigation of the murder/suicide of Hartman and Pyle, respectively. This gives the time for both Joker and Cowboy to attend their specific post bootcamp school, and also advance the the rank of Sergeant for the Tet Offensive in January/February of 1968. Schools may have been shortened, and people promoted quickly during the Vietnam era, but I sincerely doubt both of them could make from recruit to Sergeant with less than a year of service.
These sorts of character backstory dissections would make great DVD extras. (I know that the youth have abandoned physical media. However, it is not as if there have never been films entirely withdrawn from UK circulation by a studio following a request by a director after vitriolic criticism of his work... iykyk)
The lack of battle stars on the Korean War ribbon is an interesting mistake. I think there's a few scenes where you can see devices have fallen off the ribbons as they switched them around.
My father and his brother were in the Royal Marines. They told me of being deployed alongside the US Marines. When they arrived to set up they noticed that over the entrance to the US Marine camp was a sign "Second to None". The next morning there was a sign over the entrance to the Royal Marines camp, it simply said, "NONE"
We didn't have air conditioning on our gunboats and Mike boats in TF-116, and only CIC and Radio had package AC on the Tincans doing NGFS runs. The ice cream machines were usually OOC due to a lack of parts. Just sayin...
![[Live] : ONE FIGHT NIGHT 26 วันนี้!! “คริสเตียน vs อาลิเบก”](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/UlIiZ3t8nHQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Correction: The insignia image showed at 1:25 is for a Master Gunnery Sgt not Gunnery Sgt which Hartman portrayed in the movie.
👌😁👍
Three stripes and two rockers is an E-7. Three stripes and three rockers is an E-8.....or E-9, depending upon the insignia in the center.
Hello claspsofcourage could you possibly do video going over the medals Colonel Walter E Kurtz recieved in the movie apocalypse now directed by Francis Ford
Coppola? It would be really cool and appreciated. Thanks
Comment on the National Defense Service Medal. That is an award that is given to every individual in the military at the time of awarding, even if they never left the United States. And he would have qualified for two of them as the first award was from 1950 to 1954 for the Korean War, and the second for the Vietnam War, 1961-1974. It has been awarded two other times since then. For the Gulf War, 1990-1995. And for the Global War on Terror, 2001 to 2022.
That insignia you showed at 1:25was for a Master Gunnery Sergeant, which is a grade E-9 NCO. A Gunnery Sergeant has only two rockers below a pair of crossed rifles, and that is a grade E-7 NCO, and it happens to be the honorary rank R. Lee Ermey held in the USMC.
Ermey was a Staff Sergeant when he was honorably discharged, but out of respect for the powerful image of the Marines he portrayed in film, the USMC made him and honorary Gunnery Sergeant, and one of only a very few.
Correct.
@@The_Black_Knight Thank you.
Thank you, I was about to explain.
@@derrickduncanson9253 Yes lets keep everything CORRECT..😁😁😁
@jimshoe402 now I have questions about the other things he talks about.
My grandfather (Lamar Lyle) on my mom's side was a Marine at Chosin Reservoir. His unit was captured and put inside a train car and moved to a POW camp. When they arrived at the POW camp, the North Koreans didn't want to deal with them. So instead of doing the honorable thing and taking proper care of them under the Geneva convention, they blew up the car with explosives. My grandfather was blasted out of the window and broke his back in three places. He was to only survivor and crawled to safety as the North Koreans were executing the wounded Marines.
He lived until 1974 when he fell down the stairs and broke his neck.
I never met him as I was born in 1986, but from everything I have read, he was a great man and one hell of a Marine.
Rest in Peace Grandpa Lyle
British Royal Marines also marched out with the 1st USMC Div.
*leaves a penny and a prayer
Thank You for sharing your story
RIP Lamar Lyle Semper Fi DevilDog!
@@chrisholland7367US Marines and Royal Marines are joined at hip.
I was stationed at Camp Lejeune and Royal Marines were there as well.
That's horrific. Typical of a despotic regime, I think.
God bless your grandfather and his brothers-in-arms!
R. Lee Ermey was hired as a technical advisor, but it turned out that he was better than any actor.
The machine gunner on the helicoter who tried to convince Joker and Rafter man to do a story about him, that actor was the original Drill Sergeant. Ermey just outmaneuvered him.
@@No-One-of-Consequence - Maybe, but I have a feeling that Ermey was the best choice for that role. He doesn't even look like he's working.
@@pacificostudios Absolutely! No one could capture the spirit of the Marine Corps Drill Instructor like an actor who had actually been one, and Ermey had a special gift among Drill Instructors. He actually kept up an unbroken string of obscenity, scataology, and profanity against one of the actors playing a recruit for fifteen minutes solid just to prove that he could.
I met him once in Alabama at a gun show, and managed to persuade him to go to Waffle House with me and my friend, and he was as decent, good-humored, and generous a man as you could hope for. He sat with us for hours. And the story of the conversation he had with my friend is practically enough to write a book about on its own.
You think you love Ermey now? You should have been there. You would think the man walks on water now. We sure as hell do.
God bless him.
@@pacificostudios that actor become the M-60 gunner in the chopper. "You should do a story about me!!". LOL
well obviously because he wasn't acting :D
R. Lee Ermey was also a drill instructor for the movie "Boys of Company C" as well as an NCO in the "Siege of Firebase Gloria". He had many more roles but these are my favorites as well as a SciFi TV series involving Space Marines but he was the DI as well. When he opened his mouth you knew he was the genuine Marine.
He was also a helicopter pilot in "Apocalypse Now". I seem to recall that was his first role and he was doing studies at the University of Manila at the time.
@SSN515 you are right. I forgot about that. I believe he was uncredited in that episode, flying one of the helicopter gunships that got shot down.
Don't forget his role as a helicopter pilot in Apocalypse Now. Very few people know of his role in the Boys of Company C. It's interesting how FMJ followed the same format: BMT to Tet
Space: Above And Beyond. The Angry Angels and The Wildcards.
@@wonniewarrior thats it! Thanks for the name of the SciFi show!
R. Lee Ermey himself received the following military awards during his service:
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (2 bronze stars)
National Defense Service Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Vietnam Service Medal (1 Bronze star)
Marine Corps Drill Instructors Ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry Cross (with Palm)
Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Sharpshooter Badge (Pistol)
Marksman Badge (Rifle)
2 Service Strips
Missed a couple: the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon and the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation.
A video on Ermey's career would be cool in comparison.
@@dlxmarks Thank you, will amend same. ^~^
Yes, it might be an interesting idea for the future, thanks
@ClaspsofCourage I'd watch that even if it's its fact on fact. I wonder what medals Christopher Lee had? Could be another video.
Outstanding Private Pyle, I think we found something that you do well
"Born--again, hard!"
They all look like Pile now. Including the drill instructors! Look it up. They've even got female ones.
@@crayzmarc not back in my day.
Maybe some start out that way - but I’ll be a lot of those people drop weight and gain muscle as they get their training on.
Sir yes sir!
My grandfather is basically a real-life Hartman. He joined right before Korea, then deployed to Da Nang sometime in 1964-65, and after that tour they sent him to Paris Island to be a drill instructor.
Staff Sergeant Albert Ireland has the distinction of being awarded the most Purple Hearts of any individual across all branches of service. During his 12 years of service - spanning two wars from 1941 to 1953 - Ireland was wounded a total of nine times. Albert fought his way across the Pacific with the Marines during World War II, during which time he was wounded five times. During the Korean War, he was wounded four more times, and the last one was severe enough that he was medically discharged.
Thank you SSGT Ireland and thank you Absaallookerrranch.🤷🏼♂️
Thoroughly entertaining, thank you for your efforts to add life to these awards/citation reviews. Earned a subscription 👍
I was a boot in Paris Island in 1976 and had two DI’s just like R Lee. Ah the memories.
I bet it was hell but there was a good reason for being like that
You can add New Zealand 🇳🇿 Kiwis served in Vietnam from 1964 to 1972 over 3000 served their had a lot of family their sadly all have passed from cancer.
Australians served too.
I thought only AUSTRALIA was there with us
@ yup long tang but In the video he’s got forces listed Nz not on there.. the ANZAC there together as part of ANZUS..
@@FrancisSullivan-j7t no like I said you can look it up NZ was there to 1972 the government at that time brought them home..
Those islands were in direct line of conquest, like in WWII, but probably not to the same degree, as the IJN directly attacked Darwin, and others.
Well done. My only contention would be that Hartman coming back from Vietnam and immediately being made Senior Drill Instructor. You don't get senior DI unless you went through a couple of cycles of being a junior DI. In other words he would have had to graduate a couple of classes prior, then be made senior drill instructor. Which means someone would have had to mentor Hartman prior, which is in itself scary.
This is the old Army though. He could have been put there by a general's orders or something because "THIS is the kind of man we need training our boys, Major. Make it happen."
@@MeepChangeling Marine Corps
I'm sure all Marines of that rank were rock hard. The DIs senior to Hartman would have seen it all before.
He could’ve served a prior rotation at DI years prior. In which case a returning DI would likely be made SDI.
Exactly as I was sitting here thinking "....but there's 12 ribbons not 10???" you immediately pointed out the remaining 2 at the end of the summary. Thanks! RIP Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey.
If u ever make it to Bravery Brewery in Lancaster,California, he has a wall dedicated to all the corpsmen who served with marines...way kool!!!
this was a super interesting way to tell a story. learned a lot from the medals details and interesting history. thanks
This is where General Oliver P Smith said, "Retreat hell, were just attacking in a different direction". My wife's cousin was killed with the 31st, my grandfather was with 2nd Mar div over there. Great video keep up the good work. Semper Fi
Thank you, it's important we keep their memories and experiences alive. I hope in my own small way, I contribute to that.
@@ClaspsofCourage You do, thanks.
First, damn good job on almost all of the presentation.
GySgt Hartman's awards were led astray by the Vietnam Gallantry Cross UNIT CITATION with palm device. This pesky award was issued first in 1956 at five levels as an individual award (plain, palm device, gold star, silver star and bronze star). Due to the volume of the award, it was later converted to a unit award as a Presidential citation, earning the gold frame. This would place it just after the Korea Presidential Citation ribbon which also has a gold frame. The placement in the movie would be correct if it was issued by the U. S. President.
His sequential good conduct medals (medal + 5 additional awards) would indicate 18 to 20 years of service without disciplinary action. I can imagine Hartman was probably close on several occasions as a junior NCO.
Again, from a 36-year Navy Master Chief, keep up the good work and have a good holiday.
Thank you for this. For the record, the US 1st Marine Division was composed of three infantry regiments: the 1st, 5th and 7th Marine Regiments and an artillery regiment, the 11th. Prior to April 1941, the United States Marine Corps had only been organized into Regiments. It had never before had division-sized units. When Congress authorized the formation of division-sized units, the 1st, 5th and 7th Marine regiments, plus the 11th Marine Regiment, became the USMC's first-ever division.
Thus, was born, "the First Marine Division." Because the USMC had never before had a division-sized unit, the regiments retained their names and identities as "First Marines," "Fifth Marines," "Seventh Marines" and "Eleventh Marines."
Interesting, thanks for sharing
This is a really great video. We Veterans appreciate the work and effort that You put into this video.
Thanks Ricky, much appreciated.
My first platoon commander was a Warrant Officer, usually called a Marine Gunner. He was a World War II and Korean War veteran. He was at the invasion of Guam and Iwo Jima during World War II and the Chosin Reservoir during Korea. He said there was a British unit with them at the Chosin Reservoir and the unit passed thru their lines to attack towards another surrounded unit. He said that they were marching out with a bagpiper blowing on the bagpipes. Some hours later, they suddenly heard a bugle sound off in front of their lines and he thought is was the British coming back thru, but instead it was a Chinese attack.
As for the movie, I laughed during the boot camp scenes but when I saw Pyle in the head with his rifle, I knew someone was going to die.
41 Independent Commando RM was the Unit at Chosin. My first RSM was in that unit.
No Chinese bagpipers. It's a very good way to signal who you are in the chaos of battle to a bunch of nervous and tired US Marines.
Well done. The Gunny said in an interview that he did not put the awards in the proper order if I recall correctly. He said he wanted it to be phony so nobody would think he was wearing awards that he did not earn. He left the service as a Staff Sergeant (E6). Because of his performance in this movie, the Marines made him an honorary Gunnery Sergeant. There are a lot of videos on you tube of him at ceremonies doing interviews
Thanks for sharing
11:00 The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was awarded for the 1958 deployment to Beirut, so the lessor Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal would not have been awarded for that.
I did a video a few years ago analyzing Hartman’s medals, and I apologize it is in Japanese for that is my audience, but as a former US Marine I think I bring a little more insight into Hartman’s possible career.
For instance, for him to have been a gunnery sergeant and a senior drill instructor by the time of the movie, he would have had to entered the Marine Corps between 1945 and 1946 which would have qualified him for a WWII Victory Medal that he doesn’t wear in the movie.
Second, after reading Marine Corps records between 1946 and 1958, I came to the conclusion that the only action for which a landing was conducted in foreign soil, combat action occurred and no other service medal is authorized is most likely the mopping up operations against Japanese troops that were conducted on Peleliu Island by infantry Marines deployed from Hawaii in March of 1947, and this is what I speculate that Hartman received his Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for.
In order for Hartman to be a Senior Drill by the time of the movie, he would have had to started being a regular drill instructor by August of 1965. Combat Marines were first deployed into Vietnam in March of 1965, and it is very unlikely they would just send out one of their most experienced Marines to go be a drill instructor just months after getting into combat. So it is my conclusion that Hartman did not fight in Vietnam, though he may have served as an advisor in the early 60s.
At the end, I take all the information from the movie and present his mostly likely awards.
I hope my video is helpful.
Randy
th-cam.com/video/ePqUMRz-LqY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=DOE5rnTJNBSnOBQT
may have been a choice AFE or MCE. we had that choice for Operation El Dorado Canyon. I chose the Navex as it was my first medal and the higher rated.
Yeah, no choice for 1958. We could ask Harvey Keitel - he was there.
Could it have been awarded for the landing at Santo Domingo?
@ That was part of a joint Armed Forces expedition so the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was awarded. I actually cover that in my Gunny Highway video.
I had no idea there was still fighting on Peleliu in 1947. That is fascinating. Are there any accounts of this I can read? I know that Japanese soldiers were involved in post-WWII combat operations in Indochina and Indonesia as well.
How has this channel only got 4k subs? It's amazing the work you do. Please keep making content. Mixing fact with fiction. Remind me of Mark Felton mixed with History Chao and Operations Room.
In the Marine Corps, a Good Conduct Medal is awarded after 4 years of service, without any mishaps or being written up for infractions, which disqualifys the Marine, a Good Conduct Medal. It’s not that hard, just do your job and stay out of trouble. Semper Fidelis (I didn’t know that after 1993 the Good Conduct Medal was awarded after 3 years, my mistake. But This is a great video.
The Distinguished Service Medal is the 3rd highest medal for the USMC. The Silver Star is the 4th highest.. I'm a Marine Veteran and I love the Brits.. Some hard core Blokes. Love the Aussies too.
Thank you for this. I was trying to identify the medals that Cory was wearing at the end of “Fences.” and was having a hard time. I figured out that he had the vietnam service medal, south vietnam campaign medal, and marine corps good conduct medal, but I couldn’t figure out what the red and gold medal, and his first medal on top (green on the outside, red, white, and blue in the middle) meant. he has many of the same medals as heartman, so I was able to finally piece it together thanks to your video.
On top he wears the unidentified medal and the marine corps good conduct medal. On bottom, going from left to right, he wears the Marine Corps expeditionary medal, the Vietnam service medal, and South Vietnam campaign medal.
#3: The National Defense Service Medal is given to all those who enlist during a "Time of War." Even I had one with the US Navy from '13-'18.
Great post. Fascinating and informative. Also speaks to Kubrick's obsession for accurate detail and meticulous planning.
41 Independent Commando Royal Marines was formed of volunteers equipped completely by the US (except for their Green berets) and used originally as raiders put ashore from submarine and ships to destroy Trains, tunnels and other infra structure. "Green Berets in Korea: The Story of 41 Independent Commando Royal Marines 1950-52 " by Fred Hayhurst, tells their incredible story..
I requested my father's DD214 (USN 1953 - 1957) in 2019 and they spent three months searching the National Archives in St. Lewis, MO, for his discharge papers. They sent three of his four metals (they forgot his Good Conduct Ribbon). 🙍♂They deliberately did not include the (8:34) UN Service Medal. I called them, and the employee said the metal was given to the service members by the United Nations and not the US Navy. I just got one on eBay and put together an incredible shadow box. ⚓👷
1. There have been no new minting of Purple Hearts since the original minting. That many casualties were expected in WW2.
2. Dad met R Lee several times. We even have an autographed picture and one of his personal coins. Him and dad were in some of the same places at the same time in nam.
3. He has stated he was not really interested in the role, but his fellow instructors urged him to audition. He states he took a tape recorder into an unused barracks and recorded a standard intro screaming at new recruits. Submitted the tape expecting nothing to come of it.
4. He has always said he "severely" disagreed with the writers and director over Pile having been able to have unaccounted for live ammo but was ignored.
Ribbon rack order of precedence: Top row closest to the heart is the highest ranking US medal. From there the medals go in descending order, ending in the lowest ranking US medal (usually National Defense, which is basically a participation medal as anyone in the US armed forces gets one whether in combat or not during a time of war). After that come Unit citations, again in order of rank, then campaign ribbons in order of rank. After all this, any foreign awarded medals and ribbons are placed in order of rank. So the tiers are rightmost to left (Leftmost to right when looking at it directly), top to bottom in descending order. "Gunny Hartman" could've also been in the 5th Marines at yu dam nee guarding the rear of the retreat. They also got a Presidential Unit Citation for their efforts. Few of that unit survived.
The first movie i remember seeing R Lee Ermey in was Apocalypse Now. He played one of the pilots in the Ride of the Valkyries scene
You displayed an E-9 rank - that of Master Gunnery Sergeant - three chevrons, four rockers and an exploding bomb in the middle. A Gunntery Sergeant (E-7) has three chevrons and two rockers.
Awesome video! It’s always cool looking into movie details that normally go overlooked!
My Uncle was a Marine at Chosin, called the Frozen Chosen. He said that everywhere he ran, he got shot in the back. Unk Tom was a great and happy man. Hero in my book. He instilled in me, to join the Vietnam War. Navy Combat Engineer, Seabees. 1970 -- 1974
>
Heh, heh!
Dad was with 7th infantry division US Army at this battle. They prevented the 4th marine division from being wiped out. He was wounded and made a POW.
Received the Former POW, Presidential unit citation, Purple Heart, Bronze star.
Despite some pronunciation errors, calling Koto-Ri "Koto" , this is a hell of a good video. Lots of history explained quickly and concisely. What cracks me up though is how everyone thinks Hartman was a real hard ass. Trust me, Hartman was the nicest, fatherly DI ever!!
🤣
Gunny Hartman was kind and generous compared to my USMC NCO son.
The national defence service medal is awarded for enlistment during a time of national conflict. You get that for showing up.
At least you show up.
The Vietnam Cross of Gallantry is in the wrong order. Although it is a gallantry award, it is still a foreign decoration. It should be after the Vietnam Service Medal which is the last of the US decorations. This is where we were instructed to display the decoration ribbon, although I have seen other foreign gallantry awards (Such as the French Croix de Guerre) displayed following the US gallantry awards on other service ribbon bars.
Well done. Like your war rugs, Like the dog too.
I was in 4/31 Infantry (Polar Bears) in the late 80's. Our Battalion Commander had a reunion while I was there. Among those present were veterans going back to WW1. There were also Bataan death march survivors, and veterans of "The Frozen Chosin", a few of whom lost toes to frostbite.
Please do Sgt Thomas Highway from Heartbreak Ridge next
* Gunnery Sergeant "Gunny" Highway; not just "sergeant."
We have a sub series on the Korean War happening with the latest videos. You have to check out the Korean War Memorial in Seoul. Great artifacts, amazing static displays and its free right in the heart of the city!
I donno, Gunny Hartman was pretty much run of the mill from what I remember of my DI’s aboard The Island back in the day…(the year of Woodstock)…a little lenient, actually, compared to one or two I ran across…kind of like a Scout leader…sort of…😅
Very interesting about the frozen chosen. Especialy.
There is a movie that's mostly about cheerleaders and such, as I remember. But in one seen a father talks to US Marines who are busily folding up flags and not paying much attention. He casually comments that he was at the Marine Chosin Reservoir retreat where Marines wound not retreating, but attacking in the other direction to break out of the encirclement. Too bad they weren't paying attention, they would have learned more by seeing a previous generation of Marines.
Circa 1968-1972 I was in college avoiding being drafted and working at a Target like store in Seattle (Jafco).
A man working in another department no doubt thought I was a candy-ass, 1st class since I was also opposing the Vietnam War and opposing the draft (Draft Resistance Seattle). He had enlisted in the army at age 16 and fought through Europe, Korea and Vietnam and was (if memory serves me correctly) a Brigade Sergeant Major.
He still was a relatively young man, too.
He wore his uniform once, but I could scarcely look at it. I FELT like a candy ass at that point!
All right, pretty cool opening. I hope none of those Valor Steelers use this as a reference guide. Well put together Video. 👍👍
The Good Conduct Medal can be awarded (first award only) to Marines with less than the three year requirement if the Marine met the standards of conduct AND was discharged with less than three years for disability acquired in combat operations.
I just found your channel and i already LOVE IT! Keep it up from the USA!
Thanks, much appreciated
You need to do gunery sgt highway. From heartbreak ridge.
Very well done video. Cheers from former Marine veteran
You are a Marine veteran, not a former veteran.
Great work, I am a geek for this stuff
Charles Upham and Audie Murphy would be interesting to see.
Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going to focus on some more real life veterans in the next couple of months or so. I will definitely add these chaps to the list.
I would love the see Audie Murphy as well
David Hackworth
@@davidwurbel6610
The problem is...
When medals were awarded in WW2, they were hard earned...
1LT Audie Murphy didn't really have that many, especially compared to the average Specialist in the Army today...
1LT Murphy had maybe 9 ribbons along with the CIB if I remember correctly...
The average Joe today with 3 years in probably has at least these:
Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon, Good Conduct Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, NCO Development Ribbon...
Seven medals just for showing up for formation!
Also today we have Generals who barely have enough chest for their ribbons...
They didn't have to do anything particularly noble or valorous...
Medals are an automatic when "deployed"...
And they are based on rank...
Compare General Patton with General Miiley...
Nuff said...
Also I note that the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry shown when he is wearing the ribbon bars in the movie has a brass frame around the ribbon. Brass frames around the ribbon (with the exception of the Navy/Marine Presidential Unit Citation) usually denote a unit award such as the Army PUC (a dark blue ribbon with a Brass frame around it.) If the brass frame Gunny Hartman is wearing is correct, it's a Vietnamese PUC, not an individual gallantry award and definitely in the wrong position as far as I know. The VCoG for valor is a ribbon suspended medal. The Vietnamese PuC would simply be a brass framed ribbon and not a medal. Unit citations would normally be worn on the ribbon bar as shown but in full dress where suspended medals were worn over the left breast pocket, ribbon awards that did not have suspended medals would be worn over the right breast pocket.
You are correct on the position of the RVN Gallantry Cross. It was awarded to all who served in theater with Palm and Frame. The position is wrong for current display/wear. But at the time it was first awarded it is possible there was confusion or lack of clarity on its order. It was authorized for wear in 1968 with backdating award to 1961. Tet offensive was in 1968 ie, in the movie, so Gunnery Sergeant Hartmann was wearing it prior to general authorization. So it is likely he was awarded but the official precedence of ribbon order wasn't defined yet. Considering he would have been awarded at the time, he could have seen it as a valor medal thus above the Good Conduct and services ribbons.
awesome episode!
The Presidential Unit Citation worn on the upper left side (right side as you look at the depiction) 0:34 is correct in the insert with the red arrows pointing out the PH and the NDSM BUT is incorrect in every scene in the movie where it is shown. The PUC is properly displayed with the blue line at the top, yellow in the middle and red on the bottom. In the movie, he is displaying his ribbon upside down with red on the top. The PUC is a ribbon, no medal was awarded. I know this this because I also wear the ribbon.
You've done well lad...
Keep at it!
*you don’t need the gun or combat sound effects you’re great without them keep these coming you’ll be the next mark felton*
Yes they were very disruptive - action points on the map is fine though 🙂
It should be noted that the colours in the Vietnam service medal are the South Vietnam flag. Three red stripes on yellow.
Funny when you talked about the Marines look out to sea and seeing the Navy ship thinking did, I join the wrong branch of the service? Heck yea they did, I was in the Navy and really enjoyed our AC and Ice Cream. Actually, you would not see my ship out there since I was on a submarine.
I REALLY enjoyed this..
Liked. Subscribed.
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the video
ChuLai 68, Vietnam zones designated by Roman Numerals - topmost was 1 corps - we called it "EYE" corps because it looked like a capital i
I had a colleague that enlisted in the Navy during Nam, and good thing too. A month after he shipped out he got a call from the Army.
Not all US Navy warships in the Vietnam-era had air conditioned spaces, except perhaps for electronics spaces. Nor did all ships have ice cream makers. The destroyers would sometimes get ice cream if they refueled from an aircraft carrier. While I was a Marine in Vietnam, later in life I worked with a guy who had been a corpsman on a destroyer on the gunline. He told me what they had and didn't have. Also, I noted that Gunny Hartman's Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame is placed on his rack out of order. It should have been between the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the US Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon. It certainly is not senior to his Good Conduct Medal ribbon as it is a unit award and the GCM is a personal award.
An excellent topic and show
Please do Gunny Highway from HEARTBREAK RIDGE next please.
Hear hear! Gunny Highway is an amazing character, and it should be pointed out that he would have been awarded the US Army variety of the Medal of Honor, not the Navy variety, since he was a member of the 2nd Infantry Divison at Heartbreak Ridge when he was nominated for the Medal.
It's a tricky question. Would a Marine wear the Navy Medal of Honor, or the Army Medal he was originally awarded?
@@No-One-of-Consequencethe one he was awarded. It makes no difference what branch. The point is they are one of the .01 percent that were awarded it.
@@jamesmoody5961 Yeah, but I still think it's an interesting question. I think it's curious that they never show Highway wearing the actual medal.
Such a great character and such an odd backstory. I wonder why they chose to make him and Chouzoo former Army when there were Marines at Heartbreak Ridge. I would have loved more backstory on them.
Thanks. I was more aware of these ribbons when I was in - but that was 50 years ago ...
.
Interesting, good presentation!
The palm leaf means a 2nd award
The RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation ranks in precedence behind the ROK Presidential Unit Citation, and is to be worn after it but before any foreign service medals (a mistake on behalf of the wardrobe department).
In real life R. Lee Ermey received the RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, and the RVN Campaign Medal but, as is the standard, wore them below his US ribbons.
18:03 Probably one of the most distinctive and recognizable ribbons.
Thank you for your service of sir a true gunner sergeant
Hartman could entirely have been a Sergeant during Chosin. Assuming he enlisted before 1949, he would have at least two years in service by the time of Chosin, and considering the extreme pressures and casualty rates, if he had shown strong leadership capability at the time, he would absolutely have been promoted to Sergeant.
My wife’s grandfather lived to be 89, and spent a year and half in Korea as a machine gunner and later squad leader in the 24th and 45th Infantry Divisions. He made it from Private to Staff Sergeant in 2 years. Crazy when you think about it from today’s standpoint.
@@MDR-hn2yz
Unlike today's US Military with its NINE (9) Enlisted Pay-Grades, at that time period there were but SEVEN (7) Enlisted Pay-Grades and SSgt was only Pay-Grade E5. Seen through that lens, it would not seem that far fetched, depending upon one's MOS, as well as the circumstances, situation, and conditions under which one was serving. At that same time, Gunnery Sgt. was Pay-Grade E6.
My younger brother was drafted into the USMC seven years after I had joined and he made Corporal E4 with a total time in service of 9 months and 16 days while in VN. One should remember, at least 3 of those 9 months were spent training after reporting into PI on 01Apr68. And that would be just ONE (1) Pay-Grade less than the person you mentioned. I know that you're going to do the math and try catching me in error. Save us both the time and argument by doing the research yourself...at least, you'll save me the time!! I'll start you off with this link: www.angelfire.com/ca4/gunnyg/enlrk59.html
Like I have stated earlier in this thread, I served with an E4 Sgt. with FOURTEEN (14) years in grade, not merely 14 years in the Corps! He had what was then known as a 'frozen mos'...MOS 3531 Motor T. Btw...I was in boot camp at PI at the same time R Lee Ermey was in boot camp at SD.
Semper Fi
@ Take it easy pops. No argument here. You seem to have a fine grasp on the minutiae. Semper Fi.
@@MDR-hn2yz
Unlike today's US Military with its NINE (9) Enlisted Pay-Grades, at that time period there were but SEVEN (7) Enlisted Pay-Grades and SSgt was only Pay-Grade E5. Seen through that lens, it would not seem that far fetched, depending upon one's MOS, as well as the circumstances, situation, and conditions under which one was serving.
At that same time, Gunnery Sgt. was Pay-Grade E6. My younger brother was drafted into the USMC seven years after I had joined and he made Corporal E4 with a total time in service of 9 months and 16 days while in VN. One should remember, at least 3 of those 9 months were spent training after reporting into PI on 01Apr68.
And that would be just ONE (1) Pay-Grade less than the person you mentioned. I know that you're going to do the math and try catching me in error. Save us both the time and argument by doing the research yourself...at least, you'll save me the time!! I'll start you off with this link: www.angelfire.com/ca4/gunnyg/enlrk59.html
Like I have stated earlier in this thread, I served with an E4 Sgt. with FOURTEEN (14) years in grade, not merely 14 years in the Corps! He had what was then known as a 'frozen mos'...MOS 3531 Motor T. Btw...I was in boot camp at PI at the same time R Lee Ermey was in boot camp at SD.
Semper Fi
The Army was minimum 18 months in service to Sergeant (E-5) in OIF/OEF era. My MOS had automatic promotion of Specialist/Corporal (E-4) to Sergeant at 5 years if not attained early. This isn't the usual, of course, only star MOS, high demand jobs usually get this. 2 years is quite normal for a motivated soldier/marine, depending on the TIS minimums for the time period.
I love this video!
Whomever developed the character of Hartman did some good research.
So did the person who made this vid!
Tying specific historical events to an individual, though that individual be fictional, is always interesting, so long as the historical events are interesting! 😂
Thanks!
Gunny Hartman's Presidential Unit Citation is worn upside down in the movie. One of only a few Navy/Marine Corps ribbons that are asymmetrical, this one is worn with the blue stripe on top. Ermey should've known that.
Loved the video! A suggestion for a future video is reviewing the medals of General Shepherd from the new COD Modern Warfare series!
A side note is Chinese troops are put to service from southern tropical theatre to the frozen north. Without much winter equipment nor enough weaponry for everyone.
So you mean back in the day but not now, right?
Alternate history for GySgt Hartman: he enlists in 1946, too late for WW2. Out of bootcamp, he is assigned to the MOS of admin clerk in Quantico, VA. He spends the next three years on a mill "typewriter", typing out orders and demobilization papers for Marines returning from the war. He requests to the infantry multiple times, but is denied. At the end of his first enlistment, Cpl. Hartman tells the Marine Corps he will not re-enlist if he is to remain an admin clerk. Because of his good conduct (more like he didn't get caught), he is offered the job of DI at MCRD San Diego. Cpl. Hartman checks into MCRD San Diego, where he's assigned the position of junior hat (junior DI) to a recruit platoon. He beats a recruit unconscious, and while awaiting NJP and possible involuntary separation form the Marine Corps, the Korean invasion happens, and the encirclement of US forces around Pusan. The beating incident is quickly forgotten (the paperwork is lost), as the recruit battalion is activated, and embarked on ships to Pusan. The recruits complete recruit training while underway towards Korea. Once in theater, the DIs become the squad leaders and the platoon sergeants. Cpl. Hartman quickly proves himself as an effective and efficient squad leader. When his platoon sergeant is killed in action, Cpl. Hartman is quickly promoted to the rank of Sgt. and assumes command of his platoon, where he is awarded the Silver Star for heroism at Chosin Reservoir.
The back of the Purple Heart is usually inscribed with the name of the service member who it was awarded to.
If you do Tommy Shelby from “Peaky Blinders”, he was awarded the civilian OBE, DCM, MM, 14-15 Star, British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal.
Admittedly, he threw most of those away.
Yes he's on the to-to list, thanks. I've never watched the series so hopefully I will get a chance to have a watch over the next month or so with the holidays.
He showed the Master Guns rank, E-9.
I had one friend who was on the first landing by Marines they were met by girls selling Coca Cola he served 3 full 13-month tours in Nam. First tour he was a 106mm recoilless rifle gunner covering the airfield at Danang. Ammo was HEAT and APERS (Beehive) with a 50-caliber spotting rifle.
What are those tapestries behind you? Where did you get them?
The National Defense Service medal is NOT awarded for gallantry or any type of combat. It simply is given as a indication that you have served in the military. It is awarded to Everyone who graduates basic training.
Commissary Medal as dad called them "Congratulations you didn't seriously f* up".
ERMEY WAS A POG!!! Seriously. He was in Supply, not a line company.
Whats your point? Also if you're going to make claims atleast do it properly. He wasnt in supply he was in Aviation Support.
You should do one about Adrian Carton de Wiart, the Unkillable Soldier.
Despite being severely wounded several times, he lived to the ripe old age of 83.
Isn't he only doing fictional people in this series?
I do plan on focusing a few videos on some real historical combat veterans in the next couple of months, so I will add de Wiart to the research list, thanks.
May I suggest Tommy Prince, he was a native from around Winnipeg MB. He was with the real Devil's Brigade.
Carton de Wiart: veteran of both world wars and quite a few things before, between, and after.
During WW2 the us felt that there would be so many casualties they made so many purple heart medals that they were still reaching into surplus in the 90s and early 00s.
They didnt expect anyone to ever come back.
The time period of this movie is more likely 1965 into 1966. The references being the Christmas prayer making it toward the end of a year, with the platoon graduating in 1966. Joke and Cowboy were more than likely were held over 3-6 months afterwards due to the investigation of the murder/suicide of Hartman and Pyle, respectively. This gives the time for both Joker and Cowboy to attend their specific post bootcamp school, and also advance the the rank of Sergeant for the Tet Offensive in January/February of 1968. Schools may have been shortened, and people promoted quickly during the Vietnam era, but I sincerely doubt both of them could make from recruit to Sergeant with less than a year of service.
In the book The Short Timers the Gunnery Sargent won his silver star at Iwo Jima teaching young MARINES how to bleed.
ho thank GOD!! I almost thought Stewart was going to pitch another starter movie - or revive his roll in X-Men.
You showed a picture of Master Gunnery Sergeant chevrons. 🤦♂️
He served THREE tours in Vietnam, one for the ribbon and a star each for subsequent tours.
The star denotes the major battles during the time they were there.
What an excellent choice!!
Great video!!😊
Thanks John, much appreciated
This was great with corrections in comments. E-9 fella.
These sorts of character backstory dissections would make great DVD extras.
(I know that the youth have abandoned physical media. However, it is not as if there have never been films entirely withdrawn from UK circulation by a studio following a request by a director after vitriolic criticism of his work... iykyk)
The lack of battle stars on the Korean War ribbon is an interesting mistake. I think there's a few scenes where you can see devices have fallen off the ribbons as they switched them around.
My father and his brother were in the Royal Marines. They told me of being deployed alongside the US Marines. When they arrived to set up they noticed that over the entrance to the US Marine camp was a sign "Second to None". The next morning there was a sign over the entrance to the Royal Marines camp, it simply said, "NONE"
We didn't have air conditioning on our gunboats and Mike boats in TF-116, and only CIC and Radio had package AC on the Tincans doing NGFS runs. The ice cream machines were usually OOC due to a lack of parts. Just sayin...
On occasion, Purple Hearts are engraved with the name of the recipient on the back side.