Unsung Heroes of the Tar Heel State: Voolume 1- The Warriors

Foreword

by Congresswoman Renee Ellmers

United States House of Representatives

North Carolina, Second District

Heroes come in many forms. As Americans, we are graced with living in a country where our freedoms are not only protected, but defended and fought for all over the world. The brave men and women of our armed forces have embraced this sacred duty for over two centuries and continue to remind us all of the sacrifices required for the sake of our liberty and remaining a beacon of light and progress to all nations.

North Carolina has been home to these noble warriors since the days of the American Revolution. Since 1789, the Tar Heel State has produced military legends from Andrew Jackson to Hugh Shelton, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and countless men and women serving in each branch of our armed services. Today, North Carolina continues this tradition by leading as a primary resource in the War on Terror and managing combat operations all over the world from Fort Bragg to Seymour Johnson and Camp Lejeune.

In Unsung Heroes of the Tar Heel State, William Connor, Jr. weaves a treasure trove of stories and experiences from numerous military veterans into a heartwarming scrapbook of experiences on the front lines of freedom. This book serves as an important reminder of the sacrifices they endured for our freedom and the men and women who made it possible. Few of us can comprehend the challenges they have faced, but we all can share in their noble calling as heroes and defenders of liberty at home and abroad.

As Americans, we are blessed to live in a country where young men and women volunteer their lives in order to protect the freedom of millions of their fellow citizens. We must never forget and live each day as a tribute to their bravery while continuing to protect the freedoms they fought to maintain for future generations.

I hope that this book will offer readers the same feelings of pride and respect for our military heroes as it has for me. In this age of conflict and threats to our liberty abroad, it is comforting to know the guardians of our freedom are out there, serving as Unsung Heroes of the Tar Heel State.

-Renee Ellmers

Member of Congress

Preamble

The United States of America has certainly participated in her share of war. Defender of freedom and protector of the downtrodden, the USA has had to face war in virtually every decade and certainly in every generation, beginning with the war to establish independence for the United States itself in 1774, most often referred to as The Revolutionary War. Then followed the Northwest Indian War in 1785, the Franco-American War in 1798, the First Barbary War in 1801, Tecumsceh War in 1811, the War of 1812—also known as the Second Independence War, the Second Barbary War in 1815, the First Seminole War in 1818, the Callao Affair in 1820, the Arikara War in 1822, the Winnebago War in 1827, the Black Hawk War in 1832, the Second Seminole War in 1835, the Battle of Monterey in 1842, the Mexican-American War in 1846,the Navajo War in 1858, the Reform War in 1860, the American Civil War in 1861, the Modoc War in 1872, the Columbian Civil War in 1885, the Chilean Civil War in 1892, the Spanish-American War in 1898, the Moro Rebellion in 1900, World War One in 1917, World War Two in 1941, the Korean War—also known as the Forgotten War—in 1950, the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1961, the Libyan Crisis in 1981, the Granada Invasion in 1983 the Iraq-Iran War in 1987, the Invasion of Panama in 1989, the Gulf War in 1990, the Bosnian War in 1993, the Kosovo War in 1999, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, 2001, the Iraq War in 2003, and now, the on-going war in Afghanistan. There were many other minor conflicts that involved the United States Government as well as some if not all of her Armed Forces.

In each and every one of these armed conflicts there were heroes and heroines who fought and struggled, died or were grievously wounded, giving their all on behalf of their beloved country. Some of those heroes are well-known to the average citizen: George Washington, Betsy Ross, Thomas Jefferson, Ulysses Grant, Abraham Lincoln, Clara Barton, Teddy Roosevelt, Audie Murphy, Sergeant York, Ira Hayes and many, many others. But there were also many, many more heroes and heroines that no one can name. What about those men who suffered frostbitten ears, hands or feet at Valley Forge? Then there were those patriots who darted from tree to tree, shooting at the enemy, only to run out of ammunition and be impaled on an enemy’s bayonet during the wars with England, the strongest military power of the time. How about those soldiers who fought and died in the trenches during World War One as they were overrun by a fanatical enemy bent on conquering the world? Or those soldiers and Marines—male and female—crouching low in the hot desert sand, suffering heat exhaustion as they tried to avoid mortar rounds or artillery shells bursting all around them? Heroes, each and every one of them, even though they remain anonymous, unsung and unappreciated.

This book, or rather, this series of books will be able to identify only a scant few of those heroes. There is likely not enough paper in the world to tell the story of every one of those brave men and women who are still alive now, without regard to the millions who were killed in action or who have died—many from the results of their wounds. Even so, with the limited number of the personal stories of the heroes that are included in this volume and the ones that will follow, these few unknown and unrenowned warriors will finally have a chance to be heard, a chance to tell their individual story, a chance to share the pain—and the glory—that they experienced in the service of their country. May heroes such as these brave men and women ever step forward to defend the greatest nation ever, the United States of America. May her stars ever shin brightly and may she ever stand.

Introduction

The Tar Heel State

North Carolina

United States of America, April 12, 1776

Long has North Carolina been at the forefront of each of the United States’ wars, domestic and foreign. From its very beginning as one of the original thirteen colonies that founded this great nation, citizens of North Carolina have contributed their time, their talents, their treasure, and yes, even their lives in the defense of the American liberty and freedom.

World War I, once called The Great War, occurred because on June 28, 1914, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was reportedly murdered by a Serbian assassin. Austria-Hungary immediately declared war on Serbia. Treaty obligations brought Germany, Bulgaria and Turkey to the aid of Austria-Hungary, while similar alliances united Britain, France and Russia in support of Serbia. Each side believed it would emerge victorious, and that the war would be brief, but by 1915 the opposing armies in Europe had fought to a virtual standstill and were trapped in trenches along static fronts. The battles at the Marne, at Verdun and on the Somme were horrendous and fighting continued as additional countries were swept into the war. Hundreds of thousands, even millions of soldiers and an equal number or greater of civilians were killed during the next three years, with little result.

The American people watched in horror as the Europeans slaughtered themselves in useless fighting. The American citizenry wanted nothing to do with the war. President Woodrow Wilson agreed with the popular opinion and kept the country out of the conflict from 1914 to 1917. Public opinion began to turn angry when the media began to broadcast news that the Germans had sunk several ships, resulting in the deaths of United States citizens. At the same time the British and French governments were nearing bankruptcy, threatening to forfeit on their American bank loans, and thus ruin the U.S. economy. Pressure from these wealthy institutions and other factors led President Wilson to reconsider the country’s position, and he asked for a declaration of war against Germany in April 1917. During much of the first phase, the United States was unprepared to fight a war and almost a year passed before America had troops ready to enter the battle. Meanwhile, Germany defeated Russia in the east, and had almost defeated British and French armies on the western front. But in the summer and fall of 1918, United States troops arrived to help drive back the German army. On November 11, 1918, a ceasefire treaty was negotiated, and the fighting ended.

North Carolina's Role

When World War I broke out in Europe North Carolinians shared the same feelings of regret and fear as other Americans. Tar Heels, like many other American citizens, wanted no part of the war. They saw the horror of the war that in the year 1916 alone cost the European armies and civilians more than two and one-half million casualties, equal to the entire population of North Carolina at the time. Nonetheless, once the United States declared war against Germany in April 1917, the majority of North Carolinians aggressively supported the war effort. They believed President Woodrow Wilson when he said that America was fighting for democracy and the ‘American Way’. Tar Heels purchased Liberty Loans and War Savings Stamps to raise money for the war. Women joined the American Red Cross, the YWCA, the Salvation Army, and served as nurses in military hospitals at home and overseas. Citizens raised and canned their own food, and went without meat to conserve food supplies for the army. Automobiles, new to the nation, remained parked so that all petrol could be used to fuel war wagons. North Carolina industry also geared up to support the war. Ships were built in Wilmington, airplane propellers were made in High Point, wagon wheels were made in Hickory, and in Raleigh artillery shells were made for the Army and Navy. North Carolina’s tobacco factories produced cigarettes while its textile mills made blankets, socks, and tents for the army.

The State’s greatest sacrifice came when it sent its young men into military service. Stirred by patriotism, many North Carolinians volunteered for service but even more troops were needed. On June 5, 1917, President Wilson called for the registration of all men between the ages of twenty-one to thirty-one. North Carolina registered over four hundred and eighty thousand men, of which three hundred thirty-eight thousand were white and one hundred and forty-two thousand were African-American or Native-American. Sixty-five percent were physically fit for military service. From this number over forty thousand whites and over twenty thousand African-Americans were called into military service. In the final stages it was determined that Native Americans were not subject to the draft, but still these young men volunteered by the thousands to serve their country. The ratio of Native-Americans entering military service was greater than any other ethnicity. In reality, more North Carolinians were drafted into service than volunteered, though most were willing to serve if the government called them. There is little evidence that residents of the Tar Heel state engaged in ‘draft dodging’. During the war North Carolina sent more than eighty-six thousand soldiers overseas to fight for the United States.

In only five months of combat in 1918, the United States suffered more than two hundred and seventy-five thousand casualties, including more than fifty thousand combat deaths. Of that number, North Carolina lost eight hundred and twenty-eight men killed and three thousand six hundred and fifty-five wounded. Another one thousand five hundred and forty-two North Carolinians died of disease while serving in the Army, mostly from influenza. Some North Carolinians were singled out for special recognition. Robert L. Blackwell of Person County, who served in the 30th Division, received the state’s only Congressional Medal of Honor--posthumously. Another two hundred North Carolina soldiers received the Distinguished Service Cross and twelve men were awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Altogether, three thousand six hundred and twelve North Carolinians were killed in action, more than five thousand died from diseases and over thirty thousand were wounded. How many died from suicide or self-destruction after the war is unknown as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder was unrecognized until the latter years of the 20th century and the early years of the 21st, as veterans from Vietnam and the Middle East returned home. Many soldiers turned to alcohol to ease their painful memories.

North Carolina continued to provide soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and coastguardsmen (and women) through all of the conflicts in which American presence was needed. And North Carolina continued to lose citizens to the wars. During World War II—another war that wasn’t supposed to happen—also fought in Europe—North Carolina lost seven thousand one hundred and nine citizens killed in combat, with more than fifty thousand wounded in action and thousands more missing-in-action and are still unaccounted for to date. Even more devastating was the number of casualties from the trauma that occurred during the war, and unrecognized due to lack of medical knowledge at the time.

In Korea, according to concept at the time, there was only a minor conflict, not a war. Understanding that war is not popular with the citizenry, President Harry S. Truman chose to avoid having to ask the U.S. Congress for a declaration of war by labeling the situation as The Korean Conflict. Even so, North Carolina counted six hundred and ninety-four killed in action, more than five hundred missing-in-action and thousands wounded from enemy fire. That is war at its worst.

In Vietnam, perhaps the most unappreciated and least popular war of United States history with the possible exception of the Civil War, North Carolina alone lost more than one thousand one hundred citizens, with many missing-in-action and uncounted thousands suffering from either wounds received in combat or from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder which is only now being acknowledged as one of the more debilitating results of combat.

During the Vietnam War—or conflict, as a formal declaration of war was ever asked for nor made—veterans found they were suffering an even greater tragedy caused by their own superiors. Pesticides, especially a product known as ‘Agent Orange’ had been introduced to the combat arena and used to defoliate the jungles of Vietnam where the enemy soldiers so successfully concealed themselves in ambush. Unknown—or so it is contended—at the time was the devilish effect of the products on human beings. As a result, thousands of American military personnel were subject to the disabling product and for some of those unfortunates the resulting effects of those poisonous chemicals are only now becoming ever more evident as those who were subjected to the chemicals are experiencing cancer, diabetes, heart attacks and other deadly medical problems caused by the use of the poison.

One destructive result of the reaction to the chemicals is the mental disturbance that affects the veteran. Just how the brain is affected isn’t fully understood as of this date however homelessness, alcoholism, drug addiction, mental collapse, and derangement, delusions and horrific nightmares are all reflective of the changes brought about because of either the poisonous chemicals or combat; or both.

The tragedy of war today is no less, and indeed, may be even worse as modern technology has created a class of weaponry unimagined only a few short years ago. Iraq and Afghanistan have taken their toll on the North Carolina young men and women. With more than six thousand four hundred U.S. Military killed in combat in the Mid-East, North Carolina continues to be a proud defender of the American Way. Still ever brave, courageous and equally willing to serve their country in a time of need, citizens of North Carolinians—white, African-American, Native-American, Asian, Hispanic and those who are mixed—volunteer to join the Armed Forces and to defend the freedom and personal liberty of their family, their friends, their neighbors.

Preface

A Word from Henry Lee Grider

Founder, The Veterans Memorial Foundation

King, North Carolina

www.thevmf.org

Our mission statement says it all: Our efforts focus solely on making a real difference for our veterans by providing food, clothing, shelter, and assistance to helping each veteran in need become self-sufficient.

As the Good Book says: Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day: teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.

Having experienced the horrors of war and the trauma of facing death on a daily basis, veterans of the United States Armed Forces have suffered wounds, death and a devilish condition only lately identified as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Lack of medical understanding of this destructive disorder suffered by veterans of all wars led many veterans returning from war as long ago as the First World War in the early 20th century to attempt suicide or find other relief. Veterans of World War II, Korea, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan sought relief by using drugs or by crawling in a bottle. Even today, with all of the modern medical technology, veterans who experienced horrific tragedies and constant threats to their lives still suffer from these emotional disturbances and in large measures, the veterans are ignored, forgotten and abandoned.

That just ain’t right.

I speak from personal experience. First, from being a veteran myself and having seen much of what the veterans that have agreed to relate their stories have seen. Second, from being the principal operating officer of Veteran’s Memorial Foundation and hearing for myself horror story after horror story, as many veterans are willing to open their hearts and souls and share their stories with comrades-in-arms. Listening to these cries for help and understanding, there is no way that I could not be committed—and totally committed—to helping where and when I can.

Even so, just helping the veteran to become self-sufficient isn’t really enough. Equally important is helping the average United States citizen understand just what the veterans and the veterans’ families have sacrificed for the citizens who remains safe and secure in their homeland, and just how drastic is the need for assistance, both financially and emotional. And the need is not just now, but will likely continue for the rest of the veteran’s life. And many of these affected veterans are young men and young women with years of life ahead of them.

Additionally, it is important that these veterans’ experiences be made available to the young generations that are only now beginning their educational years. Without their stories, much would be lost and many youngsters—including those of the veteran’s own family—may never learn the truth about how much was given on behalf of the people of the United States of America. Should that information not be available, it is likely that few—if any—school systems would try to teach factual history as it happened in reality, without the bias of any political sect. Just imagine that in twenty, or forty, or eighty years, some young child may read the stories in this series and realize that it was her grand-papa that she is reading about.

Realizing the circumstances are so dire and the need is so great for financial resources, the veterans interviewed and whose stories follow, all agreed to participate without the thought of financial reimbursement. They also agreed for their stories to be made public in this the first of a series of books honoring these unsung heroes, the valiant warriors who have and still protect us all.

Another veteran, J. Jackson Owensby, award-winning author with A-Argus Better Book Publishers has agreed to put all these stories and experiences into a comprehensible form, and his publisher, Argus Enterprises International, has agreed to publish the books. Owensby is donating the author’s royalties to the Veterans’ Memorial Foundation and his publisher is likewise donating a portion of the publisher’s profits to our cause. God bless them all. Not only are these great people participating in our efforts, but Bill Connor, III—a vital part of the writing team of J. Jackson Owensby—has volunteered to conduct interviews with veterans from every war period and from every geographical area. Being quite aware of the traumatic period lying ahead of him, I can only express an enormous sense of gratitude and appreciation for his generous gift.

Now that you know who we are and what we are, we would like for you to meet our veterans. Knowing in advance that you will be mesmerized by the valor of these veterans as they reveal themselves to you and share their soul-rending experiences, we want you to sit back and enjoy reading about some of our heroes. Some, because it would take some four thousand books, each containing a thousand pages to relate just the experiences of the veterans of North Carolina alone, and that is a job beyond human ability. Perhaps someday ... While you are relaxing and reading, remember that these veterans made their sacrifice for you and yours. Say a small prayer for them sometimes. Or perhaps a thank you if you meet one on the street or at an event.

And say a prayer on behalf of those who seek to help. Thanks to the hard work of more than a few diligent people, the public is slowly becoming more aware of the status of the veterans of the United States Armed Forces. There are people who not only understand the unfortunate state of the veteran but who are working to change that situation for the better. With the help of these good people, there is no doubt that the future will treat the veterans much better than the past. Within the government itself, there are a few valiant politicians who are working on behalf of the veterans and who are seeking to improve their situation. One of more conscientious of these excellent politicians is a Tar Heeler herself. A good friend of the military, a proven friend who has done much for the veterans and who has diligently fought—and is still fighting—to provide the needed assistance and care to the veterans, she is Congresswoman Renee Ellmers of Dunn, North Carolina, representing the Second District of the state of North Carolina in the United States House of Representatives.

The author and I were privileged recently to meet with Congresswoman Ellmers—Renee, at her insistence—together with Jessica Wood, Congresswoman. Ellmers’ aide, and have an open and frank discussion as to the treatment the veterans are beginning to receive. During the conversation, Congresswoman Ellmers—just can’t get used to calling her Renee—had the chance to talk about the efforts she and a few others have made and are making on behalf of the veterans. She—like any sane person—abhors war but also understands that sometimes there is no choice, there is no other option, and we have to send our fighting young men and women into harm’s way. In her words: Nobody likes war and thank goodness we have those people who make the sacrifice to fight for us. I always tell people, Look. Freedom isn’t free! And fortunately we have those good heroes who make the sacrifice. There again, with the V.A. we do everything we can to take care of our veterans because of their sacrifices for us and for our families. I’m hoping as we look at all of the healthcare situations that we are going to be working on in the future that the V.A. will definitely be a big part of the solution so that we can make the system better. There are some really good, dedicated people in the V.A. Only very few are not. Unfortunately the ones who are so dedicated are sometimes bogged down by the few who are not. So we need to make sure that we are doing everything we can by working on that to make it a better system. We need feedback from those veterans in order to assure that our efforts are productive.

As the conversation continued, we found other common grounds where we could agree. The Veterans’ Administration is doing an exceptional job, however, like virtually all government departments; the VA is top heavy with personnel, regulations and requirements. As a result, the funds that trickle down to actually provide for the veteran and his family fall far short of the amount of dollars actually needed to meet the growing crisis. It isn’t likely there will ever be enough government funds to resolve the situation which is one reason Congressman Ellmers encourages private organizations, non-profits and private citizens to become involved in seeking solutions. Her support and advocacy reaches out to veterans across the nation. She is even more encouraging to veterans who have been there and who have done that to get involved to help others who are struggling. During the conversation, Congresswoman Ellmers expressed her strong support for these efforts to bring the personal stories of the veterans—stories they can’t even share with their own families—to the public’s attention.

In her words, "Our veterans need to know that we really are fighting for them and that we understand the kind of sacrifice that they and their families put forward, and we truly do appreciate them, and that we are doing everything we can to make it better for them. Once again, with the wars supposedly winding down, we are having many more coming home who are going to have problems. Some are going to be evident problems, physical, and others are going to have mental and emotional problems. We need to make sure they have a job to go to; that they are going to get training so that the training that they received while they were in the military can transfer over into this different world, rather than being shunted aside and told that now you have to start all over. All of these things will help, and again, we just have to be ready to face those problems and provide solutions. The employment market is terrible and that is one of the issues that we are working on. This economy, with the unemployment rate as high as it is, creates quite a challenge to us all. Still, there is a lot more that needs doing."

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers also graciously agreed to answer several questions, so the following is in a question and answer style. Congresswoman Ellmers didn’t place any restrictions or limits on the type of questions we were allowed to ask. So, here we go.

Q: Acknowledging that you are a strong supporter of assistance to the veterans, how and when did that drive originate?

A: "My father fought in the Korean War; he was a Korean War veteran. We are talking about our veterans coming home and being affected, I know that… Now, looking back as an adult, I know that my father was affected by that war. I know that much of the relationship I had with him probably had more to do with what he experienced in Korea than anything. He did not talk about it. Of course, now we have heard that over and over again, from World War II veterans and on. I think there again with what he saw and what he experienced affected him dramatically and he didn’t feel that he could talk about those things. Especially not with his family. So, when I hear about efforts like yours trying to help our veterans and looking at it from a prospective of health care and care for them at our level or with the VA system, or just across the board, I know what those wounds are that you just can’t see. That is just one of the reasons why I have been so supportive of veterans."

Q: Acknowledging that the Vietnam War was both unique and unpopular, what can we say to those who were neither drafted nor volunteered, but remained at home and then looked the returning veterans with a lack of sympathy and even scorn?

A: Oh gosh, that’s a hard one! Of course at that time, I was…I was born in ’64, so I was very small at that time. But I remember the negativity associated with our veterans coming home and what they were experiencing. In fact, I think that really played into… going into the ’80’s; just the negative feelings that the military experienced and the negative feelings that was unfairly put on the military; I believe that most of that stems from the Vietnam War. For those who were here and didn’t experience it; again, it’s one thing to be protesting war—no one wants to see war—but when the need is there to stand up, especially for our country, and to fight for freedom even in other countries around the world, it’s those same veterans who did that and the sacrifices they experienced. We should have… America should have welcomed them back with open arms and certainly not with what the veterans were subjected to, then and now.

Q: The veterans who have come back from that war and the other more recent wars are tuned out and turned off. How can we tune them in and turn them on so that the ardor they showed in defense of their country can be tapped in today’s difficulties? How can we alter that situation and repay them for their loyalty?

A: Of course, there are the things that you and the other volunteer agencies are doing will help, but also making sure that they understand that we appreciate them. We try very hard… I try very hard and I try to teach my son as well that when we see military we should be thanking them. Certainly, I see military in airports all over when I am traveling. It is up to us to make sure that we are letting the veterans know, and those who are in the military know that we appreciate them and that we understand their sacrifices.

Q, There is an inordinately high percentage of Native Americans who have volunteered for military service despite the fact that as an independent nation they cannot be required to serve. Yet the treatment of those Native Americans is even more dismal than the way the veterans are treated. How can we correct this?

A: That’s a really good question. Like too many other Americans, I really wasn’t aware that we had such a high percentage of Native Americans that were involved. I believe that will be a great help, just getting that information out to the public will be of great help as I believe that most people are completely unaware of the depth of their sacrifice. We need to make sure that America knows that our Native Americans have stood up for America and the freedom that we take for granted, even when they are not necessarily called upon to do so

Q. One last question. What can we—the average American citizen—do to make a bad situation better?

A. "There again, just being that voice, continue to welcome the veterans and show them our appreciation; continuing to work in support of them, helping get that message out. That is what we should all be doing. And then for me, in Congress, listening to you and hearing what you are bringing allows me to be able to work on these issues even more, and help my fellow members in Congress who are actively working on these issues and continuously supporting our veterans so that we know that we’ve got the ability to be your voice in Congress. But, there again, it’s so important to make sure that our veterans know that we are fighting for them. You being that intermediary is so important. The federal government has grown so large that it is by nature inefficient so we must do what we can to make certain that our obligations to our heroes are met.

Now, it is with a great deal of pride and humility that I – we – give our appreciation to Congresswoman Ellmers for her unwavering support of the American veterans and their families. We thank her for her kind words and generous gift of her time when there is such a demand for her attention. We also want to express our appreciation to Jessica Wood, owner of Majority Connections who, among other things, is serving as Congresswoman Ellmers’ communications director. With the help of these two dynamic women and that of other members of the both houses of Congress and a dedicated administration, I hope that we all see the day when the veterans all receive their just due.

Henry Lee Grider

Founder, The Veteran Memorial Foundation

Author's Note

I am honored. Honored and humbled. The fact that I was selected to be identified as the author of this series of the personal stories of true heroes still astounds me, although, in truth, I am not the author, merely the person doing the correlating, The true authors are the veterans themselves as their personal stories are told in their own words and I simply put them on paper. I am certainly more of a scribe than author. Although a veteran myself (I consider myself a ‘peacetime warrior’ in that I joined the US Air Force as the Korea War was winding down and took my discharge just before Vietnam became hot), I stand in awe as I face those veterans and listen to the revelations of true heroes who not only were courageous enough to serve in time of peril, but who are willing to share their experiences and emotions with other Americans who have no concept as to the extent and the depth of the sacrifices these heroes made on their behalf.

In the