THE ERRORS STOP HERE

I didn’t think for one moment that Bill O’Reilly would answer my email message.  After all, it contained a litany of errors found in his recent best seller, KILLING THE RISING SUN.

 

Conversely, I hope he doesn’t think for one moment that I will let those errors go unscathed for readers of this column.  Nor that I come to these pages to condemn his book.

Granted, the message carried a negative tone.  I didn’t care for my first call-out, and recently, when called out for the 300^th time, it wasn’t any more palatable. 

But it’s doubtful he would have responded, even if I had glowingly posted him that I thought this was his best “Killing” book yet – which I do.  Just a guess, but he and his ghost writer buddies are probably already busy, scouring the planet for something else to kill.

Some of his errors are excusable, such as the statement that the distance from San Francisco to Tokyo is 8000 miles.  When I made that trip via troopship in the 1950s, it took 21 days and seemed like 88,000 miles.  However, Google distance says it’s only 5136 miles.

There was no suspense that the plot a book of this genre would lead to the deck of the USS Missouri, in Tokyo Bay, for surrender ceremonies, photo ops, and mass flyovers.  O’Reilly had good words to say about the “Mighty Mo.”  In fact, they were too good!  His mention of the ship’s 25-inch guns would have caused consternation with international treaty folks – 16-inch is the legal maximum – the Missouri has nine of them, but zero 25-inchers.

His glowing accolades went down with the ship when he quantified her length as almost as long as a football field.  At 887 feet, she is much closer to the length of three football fields.

These all too obvious errors were on page 257 of the 300-page jewel of a World War II broad brush – definitely not his best page.

Looking past the errors, allow another disclaimer – this is one great book.  I recommend it wholeheartedly.  Buy, it borrow it, check it out, or Kindle it, you will be glad you did.  Best you buy it, because it is one you will want to read more than once.

O’Reilly struggled with the Marine Corps table of organization during the Battle of Peleliu, primarily on page 40.  He conflicted himself by reporting that the 1^st Marine Division, no longer a fighting force, was relieved by the 5^th Marines. 

Three regiments made up the 1^st Marine Division: 1^st Marines, 5^th Marines, and 7^th Marines.  O’Reilly should have reported, “the 1^st Marines were no longer a fighting force.”

While the errors on page 257 were unforced, unnecessary, and fall in the low-hanging fruit category, the Marine Corps infrastructure mishap on Peleliu is more easily over-looked and forgiven – except for a best-selling author.

What cannot be over-looked and forgiven are errors on page 35.  O’Reilly mentioned a Marine officer named Pope who had first seen action on Guadalcanal in June, 1942.

Numerous Guadalcanal veterans have been written about in these pages, including PFC Speedy Spach of the 5^th Marines, Major General Lloyd Wilkerson USMC (Retired) of the 1^st Marines who was a PFC at the time, and my brother, Sergeant Jack Thetford, of the 1^st Marine Air Wing – even so, Marines did not land on Guadalcanal until August 7, 1942.

O’Reilly’s Grand Poobah comes in dealing with that Marine officer named Pope.  Not only did he place Everett Pope on Guadalcanal when it was only occupied by natives, Korean laborers and Japanese troops – he mistakenly reported Pope was the father of two sons. 

This would have been a shock to his bride of just a few months, Mrs. Eleanor Hawkins Pope.

The Popes did eventually have two sons, Lawrence E. and Ralph H. Pope, but only after Captain Everett Pope returned home from combat campaigns on Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, and Peleliu – during which he earned a bronze star, purple heart, and Congressional Medal of Honor.

The Pope son, Lawrence E., should sound familiar to readers of these pages.  As a retired U.S. Ambassador to Chad, Ambassador Pope was called back into service in 2012 when John Christopher Stevens, U.S. Ambassador to Libya, was murdered by terrorists at Benghazi.

Ambassador Pope has been called upon again more recently.  He will speak at the inauguration of the Bowdoin College Marine Corps Association.  It will be named in memory of his father, a magna cum laude graduate from Bowdoin. 

Hopefully, the Greensboro News & Record will send Bill O’Reilly a gift subscription.  He might enjoy reading about our veterans as much as we enjoyed reading his KILLING THE RISING SUN.

THE MARINES LANDED AT UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA @ GREENSBORO

Call it an experience of a lifetime if you wish – some of us will not be around the next time the Marine Band comes to our town.  Not to fear, everyone over-flowing UNCG Auditorium on Saturday evening October 29, enjoyed patriotic music sufficient to last a lifetime.

STANDING IN LINE IS MARINE CORPS-COMPULSORY

These Marine musicians, made me wish I had worn gloves to protect my clapping hands.  That’s says a lot – I customarily clap three claps and move on.

Coined “The President’s Own,” by President Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Band toured the Southeast for the entire month of October – Greensboro was their next to last performance of this year’s tour.

Their music should have been good – they’ve been performing since 1798, when they were established by an Act of Congress.  Not out of disrespect, but they have played more for Presidents than for Congress – every President except George Washington has heard the band play.

Some Presidents have been more closely involved with the Marine Band than others.  President Warren G. Harding played trombone with the band; then-Governor Bill Clinton played saxophone with the band during the 1991 Governor’s Dinner at the White House; President George W. Bush conducted the band in a performance of The Stars and Stripes Forever, in 2008.

President Lincoln took the band along for his speech at Gettysburg.

Even after his death, President Kennedy was closely connected to the Marine Band – the Marines led his funeral procession.  He once proclaimed, “The only force that cannot be transferred from Washington, D.C., without my permission, are members of the Marine Band.”

The question could be asked – did John Philip Sousa make the Marine Band famous, or did the band make Sousa famous?  The answers would be, “Yes.” 

HARRY THETFORD, MARION SMITH, NAT REED
MARINES ALL

Actually, Sousa was following in his father’s footprints.  Antonio Sousa played trombone with the Band 1854-1879.  His son, John Philip was schooled in the Marine Barracks and originally served in the band 1872-1875.  Another son, George joined the band at age 16 and performed for 30 years.

John Philip Sousa came back as the 17th Director of the Marine Band 1880-1892.  His tenure of leadership brought to the band an unprecedented level of excellence.  Famous Sousa hits, such as Semper Fidelis, Washington Post, and Stars and Stripes Forever established him regally as “The March King,” as compared to his contemporary, Johann Strauss, Jr., known as “The Waltz King.”

During my four-year Marine Corps career, I spent more time on mess duty than trying out for the band.  Consequently, seatmates had to clue me in on some of the musical numbers. 

MARINE BAND ON THE GROUND @ UNCG

I reciprocated by explaining the Marine Corps ranks listed in the program – they were not typos after all.  “GySgt” and “MGySgt” represent gunnery sergeant and master gunnery sergeant in Marine Corps-speak.  Those ranks weren’t around in my day.  They would have been respected at about the levels of today’s brigadier general and major general.  On the other hand, I could have gotten along with the beautiful and demure concert moderator/vocalist, GySgt Sara Sheffield. 

It must be mentioned, this was the first time in history that more Marines stood up during the service medley than any other branch of service.  The sixty Marines in the Band certainly helped our cause.

Kudos to Dr. John R. Locke, UNCG Director of Bands, for sponsoring the Marine Band’s appearance in Greensboro.  Host sites are required to jump through many hoops – of both logistics and political correctness – it was “mission completed” for Locke and his UNCG team.  Kudos to the Band for inviting Dr. Locke to guest conduct a number.

Accommodations for “16 wardrobe trunks,” was one of the hoops.  They must have been high tech wardrobe trunks -- some musicians warmed up in civilian clothes until 7:25, but had their spiffy uniforms on by show time, 7:30.    

Kudos to the band also for recognizing Lieutenant Colonel Jim Hayes, USMC (Retired), a Greensboro businessman.  Hayes reflected on his time with the Band, “Being assigned to Marine Barracks, Washington, DC was a tremendous honor, but to be selected as executive officer for the Band made that tour very special to me.”  During his 22-year career with the Marines, Hayes also served as infantry officer with the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th Marine Divisions.

The Marine Band is the nation’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization.  “Happy Birthday,” wasn’t on their program at UNCG, but the 241^st birthday of the Marine Corps comes up on November 10, 2016.

Happy birthday, Marines – we were honored to have you perform in our town.

THE BATTLE THAT CHANGED THE WAR IN VIETNAM

From the Ia Drang Valley of Vietnam’s Central Highlands came this poignant response, “If he’s that crazy…bring him on in.”  The responder was Lt. Col. Harold G. “Hal” Moore, commanding 1^st Battalion, 7^th Cavalry, 1^st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).

The request had come from a persistent UPI war correspondent who had watched the first day of the battle with observers from an over-flying helicopter.  That afternoon, he slipped aboard a troop helicopter, only to be replaced by an urgently needed medic.  Now, he was requesting permission to be inserted into the most dangerous spot on earth aboard an evening supply helicopter.

His name was Joseph L. “Joe” Galloway, who had earned his combat correspondent credentials after seven months of combat coverage with the Marines.  “That night, I rode into the pages of history sitting on two cases of grenades.”

AS A WAR CORRESPONDENT, JOE GALLOWAY
HAS BEEN THERE, DONE THAT!

   Galloway, 74, and a native Texan, now resides in Concord, North Carolina with his wife, Gracie, and their animal-rescue Poodle, Jacques.  As for what he’s done lately, “The most I do nowadays is grow about 25 tomato plants each summer and a few rows of corn.” 

GALLOWAY HOUSEHOLD CHAIN OF COMMAND:
JACQUES, GRACIE & JOE

Even if his tomatoes and corn are of Guinness proportions, vetting such a gross understatement is beyond the purview of this column.  However, what Galloway did between riding in on the grenades and gardening in Concord is where we are at the moment.

Much of what Galloway did in this interim involves the New York Times best-seller he wrote -- in collaboration with Moore -- We Were Soldiers Once…And Young.  “It took six months to write this book, but 10 years to research it – actually, it’s a soldiers’ story told in their own words,” says Galloway.  It has been printed in six languages and over 1,300,000 have been sold.

NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLER IS REQUIRED
READING IN MANY MILITARY CIRCLES

The enthusiastically received book spawned a popular movie, We Were Soldiers, produced in 2002.  Moore was played by Mel Gibson, Barry Pepper played Galloway, who confides, “The movie is 75% reality, 25% other ingredients.”  (Note – “other ingredients” is a paraphrase.)

Written from the first person perspective, the 455-page book by Moore and Galloway about the first major battle in Vietnam is graphic, authoritative, and meticulously researched.  It is required reading in numerous military circles.

Our grandson’s 8^th grade history teacher even classifies the book as scholarly.  A recent assignment: “Lessons learned from Ia Drang, Old America vs. New America mindset, miscreant Hollywood productions, our attitude towards North Vietnam – then and now, and is it good or bad that school children aren’t being taught about great battles?”

What the book does not say is informative as well.  Per Galloway, “I did not go to Vietnam to cover politics – I went to cover soldiers on the front-lines.  These troopers served valiantly.  Many were wounded, hundreds were killed, all had their lives changed at the first sound of war.

 

For them to be advised to return home out of uniform and not to interfere with fellow Americans protesting and burning their draft cards is too ludicrous to print.”  Adding salt to their wounds, the Vietnam GI Bill was termed, “retrograde in its philosophy,” by the New York Times.

As a Vietnam War primer – U.S. support for the war was undermined by a credibility gap between two successive presidential administrations (Nixon and Johnson) as to prosecuting the war.  Additionally -- whether cause or effect -- a strong anti-establishment counter-culture arose to compete with the patriotism which had permeated our country in wars past.

Galloway was awarded a bronze star with valor device for rescuing a badly wounded soldier in combat.  His was the only such award made by the U.S. Army to a civilian during the Vietnam War.

GALLOWAY'S BRONZE STAR WITH VALOR DEVICE

Moore and Galloway returned to the Ia Drang Valley 30 years after the battle.  This visit resulted in their second book, We are Soldiers Still: A Journey Back to the Battlefields of Vietnam, published in 2008. 

GALLOWAY ISN'T ADVERSE TO A BIT OF LEVITY
HIS CAVALRY COVER MAY BE THE ONLY ONE
WITH THE MARINE CORPS EAGLE, GLOBE & ANCHOR

Galloway will be in Greensboro on June 1, 2016 to talk about his career as a war correspondent.  The luncheon event, sponsored by the West Point Society of the Piedmont, will be held at the Grandover Resort.  Per Galloway, “I have invited my friend, Joe Marm to join us – I believe he will.”  (Marm lives in Goldsboro -- he won a Medal of Honor during the Battle of Ia Drang Valley)

Reservations are required and may be made at https://secure.west-point.org/wps-piedmont/luncheon/

 

   

      

Nina Morgan Earned Her Veteran's Status

“Pearl Harbor had been attacked, it was the patriotic thing to do,” Nina Wiglesworth Morgan replied when asked why she moved to Washington, D.C. as a teenager.  Secretarial and book-keeping skills landed her a job with the Veterans Administration, “I was good at shorthand, too,” she added.

She thinks patriotism and a “Free a Man to Fight” poster may have had something to do with her joining the Marine Corps in 1943.  “From Boot Camp at Parris Island, I went to Camp Lejeune as a clerk-typist.  After completing Quartermaster School, I spent the rest of my Marine Corps time as a Supply-man.”

It could have been patriotism that led her to spend time getting to know Ernest Wiglesworth, a Marine assigned to Camp Lejeune for well-deserved rest and recuperation.  A Pearl Harbor survivor, he was also a decorated combat veteran of Midway and Guadalcanal.

“We fell seriously in love, but Ernest was sent back to the South Pacific for the Battle of Peleliu.  I promised to wait -- he sent my engagement ring in the mail.”  Nina Mae Johnson and Marine Gunnery Sergeant Ernest Woodrow “Buddy” Wiglesworth were married on November 28, 1945.  She had been honorably discharged from the Marine Corps 13 days.

Ernest Wiglesworth left the Marine Corps in 1947 and moved his wife and young son, Ernest Jr., to Greensboro.  Five other children were born into the family – Jim, Keith, Lee, Lynn and Kathleen.  The broader family includes 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.  Ernest Wiglesworth died in 2000 – he and Nina had been married 54 years.

In 2008, she married Ray Morgan, a retired Army combat veteran of Korea and Vietnam.  He died in 2011.
While becoming a Gold Star Mother was the most patriotic event of Nina Morgan’s life, it was, by far, the saddest.  

Boatswain’s Mate 3^rd Class Ernest “Skip” Wiglesworth was killed in Vietnam on March 14, 1968 when his riverboat struck a Viet Cong mine.

Ironically, the young petty officer had written a letter to the Greensboro Daily News.  He wanted people to know the Navy was working hard in Vietnam, getting shot at and running into enemy mines.

The letter was published March 16, 1968 – the same day Navy officers came to the Wiglesworth home to notify them their son was missing in action.

According to his mother, “Skip was scheduled for rest and recuperation on April 4.  His wife had already made airplane reservations to meet him in Honolulu.”  A huge portrait of her oldest son hangs prominently in Nina Morgan’s living room, along with his personal decorations.

She reflected, “Skip was born during his father’s last year on active duty as a Marine.  He wanted desperately to be a Marine like his Mom and Dad, but they would not take him at 17.  The Navy did.  Those were the days of the Vietnam War – I thought he would be safer in the Navy – but you never know.”

Another Wiglesworth son, Jim, perhaps better known as Jungle Jim of the Old Rebel Show, is an Army veteran.
Born in Reidsville and graduated from high school in Raleigh, Nina Morgan has spent most of her 92 years in Greensboro, where she and her husband raised their family.

She has faced more than her share of adversity.  Her father was born blind, as were two of her sons, as a result of Norrie Disease (A hereditary disorder that leads to blindness in male infants, according to the National Institute of Health).  

“All my siblings are gone.  I guess you can say, I’m left holding the fort, but I sure am thankful for the years the Lord has given me,” Morgan reflected recently.

Whether from patriotism or dedication, every Wednesday evening finds Nina Morgan at American Legion Post 53, where she has served as Post Commander.  “I don’t play bingo, but I keep the books and handle the finances.  It’s a non-paying job, I just enjoy doing it.  Players buy their cards from me and I hand out whatever they win.”

Even poor television scheduling on the part of Survivor producers doesn’t give pause to Morgan’s American Legion chores.  According to her daughter, Lynn Wiglesworth, “I pull up the show on demand for Mom -- she watches the Wednesday show faithfully on Thursdays.”

Morgan’s grand-daughter, Kelly Wiglesworth, won $100,000 for her second place finish in the show’s original series.  She is currently contending in Survivor: Cambodia – Second Chance. 

Kelly doesn’t need reminding – her grandmother is pulling for her.

Our country shouldn’t need reminding either – Nina Wiglesworth Morgan represents the finest of what Veterans Day is all about.

Harry Thetford is a retired Sears Store Manager who enjoys writing about veterans.