Just figured out how to nab text.
Posts from The Ringo Kid in thread „Pork Chop Hill and (then) 1st lieutenant Joseph G. Clemens.“
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Dutch: Please tell the Colonel that he was my Company CO in Company E, 2nd Bn, 6th Armored Cavalry at Ft Knox, KY, from February to April 1960. If I remember correctly, he was promoted to MAJ and moved to the Bn HQ about the 6th week of my Basic Training cycle. Thanks ~ Danny
We were soldiers once, and Young! I'm the 17 year-old trooper in the middle with the blue shirt. This pic was taken at Ft Sill in June 1960, just before I was shipped over to Korea with the 1st cav Div. Attached Images
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As much as I actually hate the internet--its a remarkable thing too. Just yesterday I was contacted by a Gent from another site--who is a Vietnam Vet and served with Joe. I think this guy retired as a 1st Sergeant. Anyway, here is his photo which was taken when he was doing basic at Ft. Knox in Kentucky: He is the gent in the center.
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Well Carl, I will ask my cousin Cecil about it. He is the retired General who lives here in the same state as Joe and I do, NC. He will know.
KEITH
That will be greatly appreciated. I know there is a current push going on to get Audie Murphy the Presidential Medal of Freedom or something like it? Anyway, many notables have signed the online petition as well as sent in letters--some including WWII Vets/actors like: James Best--as well as the guy who played the Professor on Gilligans Island (Russell Johnson?) many Medal of Honor Recipients and other notables.
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How much do they cost? Did you see any of Greg and Joe together like Joe showing Greg how to do something correctly? Really like the hand grenade one but would just like to be able to see Joe's face better. Well, back to work, LOL! Cool stuff, KEITH
These sell from between $15-to-$20 depending on who I shop with. I havent seen any production shots for the movie--yet. But if I do? im going to get some as I would like to see Peck with the (then) Captain ;-)) I was looking on the net yesterday and found a good photo take of Joe when he was a Colonel in Vietnam. I posted it on the Histomil site in the Non WWII Heroes thread ;-))
Read his Distinguished Service Cross Citation--its absolutely amazing as well as amazing anyone in his command survived the initial charges to those trenches--because they would charge a trench--get forced out of them due to being heavily outnumbered by the Chinese-then he would lead them in again-retake the trenches-then get forced out again. I cant remember how many times this happened but--looks like at a minimum of three times--maybe four or five times? This is according to his Distinguished Service Cross Citation. Some soldiers received the Medal of Honor--for less than this--not that im intentionally downplaying what those men did in any way, shape or form.
;-)) If I knew how to get such things started for getting someone nominated and awarded a higher award-like the Medal of Honor--I would do so for Colonel Joe--as well as for Staff Sergeant Lafayette G. Pool and Sergeant William T. Shemin. Korean War, WWII and WWI respectively. At the very least for Pool and Shemin--they should be inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.
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Well, you should, My BILL! I feel that we are most fortunate folks. I think Carl is going to try to hit you up for more pics so he can give some autographed ones away to maybe you and me, LOL! Carl is a giver for sure. He just LOVES to give things to folks who will treasure them as he does. Now, for me, I would like one of those off camera pics as in where Joe is teaching Greg the proper hand grenade procedure..........just would like one that shows Joe's face better. Maybe I can find one somewhere.
Anyway, hope Joe and Cecil, (wife pronounced Sesil), become friends. Sounds as if we may have a lot in common. Funny that my cousin, the General is Cecil, LOL.........Going to ask him about Joe tomorrow. Cecil was in Korea also, but think he was just a Colonel then.
Going to copy this to Joe in a couple of days Bill. So, if you want to say anything personally to him, please post it.......he will get it. YK
No probs on getting stills as I found a few sites selling them. My only thing is ill have to wait till April before I can afford to get more but--I have a few picked out.
One of the stills shows George Shibata with Peck (Shibata was portraying Lt. Suki Ohashi--who was Joes XO for "K" Copmpany) and another featuring Rip Torn as his Brother-in-Law 1st Lt Russel) and im hoping both of them are still living so I can get those stills possibly signed.
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My Keith and Carl,
I envy you both.Keith is too kind. I got info by luck when visiting the Distinguised Service Cross Recipients site and found info on what City he was living in but didnt know if it were accurate or not? but-Keith did the real work and broke the ice for me with the Colonel and his Wife Cecil. ;-))
Oh and, when I talked with him yesterday--I told him about your magnificent collection of movie stills and images--he was VERY impressed ;-))
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Just had another nice chat with this Gentleman and got told some stuff which ill collect and post here later. Ill probably do that late this month or early April.
Oh and, Keith, thanks for letting me know about that place they like getting food from--he has already enjoyed some and was going to get more soon as we got off the phone. I didnt want to keep him waiting so was only on the phone about 12 minutes. ;-))
Also, good news on the autograph front--he's willing to sign a few more stills for me after I get more--which I told him will probably be in March since this month has been my most expensive one since before moving to Austin.
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WOW, I just noticed that he was also in the Screaming Eagles a bit later on as a Captain in the photo with him in uniform--something else I had not known about him.
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Thank you keith, and he said he would look for pics of him that were taken during or shortly fter the battle, and would try to send a couple along ;-))
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Here is a couple of shots of him with Gregory Peck:
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Hawk and Carl, you two are one hell of a pair of aces! Joe Clemmens? Damn. I envy you both. The man's response is that of a genuine veteran.
Keep up the righteous work.We deal in lead, friend.
Hi Bill and tank you. Keith is an Ace--im just a Jack ;-)) The little time I got to speak with him as well as with his Wife--words cant describe it enough for me. To me he is (though he denied being so) he is a true hero. Also, Im hoping that maybe the idea of him being upgraded to a Medal of Honor status--will grow. I wonder how people get these things started? He was also a hero in Vietnam. ;-))
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Thanks for posting this Carl,
and well done to you and Keith
for your research, which has
produced a most satisfying result.
You must be thrilled to have personal contact with this great manI was and I still am riding high on it. Its like talking with say--Pappy Boyington (which I did shortly before he passed away. I got to talk with him for about 5 minutes as he was busy with his business that was at an airport in Florida.
Im hoping he is willing to let me get some info ive never seen in books before--like as complete a roster of the names of the men who served in King Company at that battle--and maybe contact with any survivors. I dont want to ask for too much but--I also would like to know if his 2nd in command (who is Japanese American) Lt. Suki Ohashi (SP? and portrayed by George Shibata) as well as his Brother in Law: Walt Russel (who I think was played by Rip Torn??)-who led a company as reinforcement up that hill--I want to see if they are still alive as well.
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I have the priviledge to announce that this fine Gentleman and combat veteran--is still doing well.
Thanks to Keith (Hawkswill) who was more than nice enough to find out something for me--she located-and got in contact with--the man who was played by Gregory Peck--in that great war movie about the fight for Pork Chop Hill.
Not only did Keith get his address for me--but his phone number as well. Ill be sending him a few images I have from the movie (some thanks to Bill and his generosity) and some of my lobby cards--to get signed by THE MAN HIMSELF.
Also, thanks to Keith, I got to speak with this gent yesterday for awhile--as well as his nice Wife.
The gent I am talking about is (at PCH--he was a 1st lieutenant) but retired as a Colonel)) Colonel Joseph Gordon Clemens. This nice Gent is living history and for me--more than makes my year--let alone day, week and month ;-))
Ill and hopefully Keith--will be adding more to this.
