Classic American West Coast Boxing
-
scartissue
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 1893
- Joined: 31 Mar 2002, 20:00
Got an e-mail from our own Rodolfo 'El Gato' Gonzalez who is quite upset. Not from anything here, but he just got wind that the fighter from Mexico City, who went by the same name as the lightweight champ, even down to the 'Gato' nickname, who fought in the late seventies through the 80s, had just killed a man in Mexico. This ex-pug has lived a somewhat debaucherous life and Rodolfo has been repeatedly mistaken for some of his exploits. This time a convent of nuns called him to find out what's been going on. In case anyone hears anything over the pugilistic grapevine, rest assured, the real Rodolfo 'El Gato' Gonzalez is doing just fine and living up to his legacy as a former world champ.kikibalt wrote:Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez
Scartissue
Rob,Boxingnut wrote:Hi Frank. Whilst flicking through some boxing magazines from the 80's I read an article where Tony said he did not want to fight any more tune ups in case he got injured and would wait until he fought Harry Arroyo for the IBF title. How close did Tony come to this title shot?
There was never much talk about Tony fighting Arroyo, the fight we wanted and were close to making was with Ray Mancini, but one thing or another kept getting in the way, I think Arroyo would had been a harder fight for Tony, because Arroyo was a boxer and those were the kind of fighters that gave Tony problems, I think that Tony would have ko Mancini.
Tony could ko anybody that stood in front of him, even Mancini acknowledge that.
Ok...who else is wondering if Rodolfo might have had a shot at Connie at that place and time? She had one remarkable body......kikibalt wrote:Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez
OK....if I am out of line with that statement (since I don't know the marital status of either at the time) I offer my apology. However...you just have to wonder......I mean you are completely without testosterone if you're not at least guessing on this one.
She had a thing for fighters..BoxBuzz wrote:Ok...who else is wondering if Rodolfo might have had a shot at Connie at that place and time? She had one remarkable body......kikibalt wrote:Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez
OK....if I am out of line with that statement (since I don't know the marital status of either at the time) I offer my apology. However...you just have to wonder......I mean you are completely without testosterone if you're not at least guessing on this one.
-
elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15678
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
-
dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
-
dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Well I told you about'ol Bud our equipment manager for the high school football team. The 'ol timer who suffered the stroke and lost his dog "Shadow". Not long after that I drove over to take him to practice. He had to put out the cones for a "passing league" game so I got there a little early. I waited for him to come downstairs from his apartment . After awhile something told me to go up and get him because he was running late and that was unlike him.
Well wouldn't you know it. The old fellow had passed away sitting on the couch. He was wearing his ball cap and and his sweats. It must of just happened. He was gone. Sitting in front of him was a picture of his 'ol dog "Shadow". I'm gonna' miss those two. But I figure Bud is up there with "Shadow" and things will be OK now. They're back together again.
The guy that took over for Bud was another 'ol boy they called "Sarge". His real name was Jimmie Howard,but he liked being called "Sarge".
His son had been on the team a few years before I got there. "Sarge" was kind of a big fella' with gray hair cut short on the top. He was afflicted with diabetes and the doctors were chippin' away at the bottom of his foot. He walked around with one of those walking casts. They say he was good friends with Bud. That's probably why they took him on.
He didn't miss a beat. He'd be out there with the high school girls, who volunteered to help out,and they'd be chalking the field and filling up water bottles. They made sure all our gear was out,and after practice they'd lug it back into the equipment room. I guess you could say the girls weren't the prettiest or most popular,but that would only be the consensus in my book. I saw it differently. They were the best girls on campus. They'd stay late and loved working with "Sarge" and being with the team.
I started to get to know him. He was a kick in the ass. Always joking around and calling everybody by their last name. He said he played football somewhere back in Iowa where he was from. The game had kind of passed him by because he didn't see no sense in throwing the ball. Well our bunch was leading the County in scoring and we had the number one quarterback and the numbers one and two receivers. But "Sarge" still insisted we get awy from that and run the ball between the tackles.
He referred to his wife as "the old battle ax",but then he'd say she was the best woman in the world. Beside his son,"Sarge" had twin daughters who were security guards at the school during the day. Like Bud, I'd pick him up and take him home when his leg would act up on him. He liked to treat me to dinner for the ride home,and I seldom refused. "Sarge" could sure talk up a storm. He liked being with the the young kids. He said they had loads of potential to build on. He loved his family and was always praising them in every conversation.
I was coaching the"O" line and a guy by the name of Eddie Johns had the"D" line. We'd work our guys together in practice everyday. Eddie had been a coach at the Marine Base(MCRD) in San Diego. Before Vietnam,those MCRD teams were awesome. No one could touch them. They had an advantage though. Some of those players had college and even pro experience . A lot of those guys were already nearing thirty.Eddie was a retired Marine colonel. He'd served in Korea in the Chosan "pull out". He used to laugh and say "We weren't retreating. Only backing up killing those Chinese. It was easier to do it that way."
I don't know why it took me so long to ask. Maybe after hearing"Sarge" call all the guys "thimble dick" finally got me to ask Eddie Johns one day,"Was 'Sarge' ever in the service?"
Eddie had a blank look on his face.
"You don't know who that is?"
"No,who is he?"
"His platoon in Vietnam was the most decarated combat unit in the War. He earned a Congressional Medal of Honor."
"He never mentioned it to me."
"He's also got a Silver Star when he was in Korea."
That night I got on the Internet. Eddie Johns wasn't bullshittin' me about "Sarge". The articles talked about how Jimmie Howard went back to Vietnam from being in the reserves. They said because of his age,they didn't want to put him in combat. Well that didn't sit well with him,so he did enough gripng to finally be a platoon leader. A Gunnery Sargaent. The way the story goes they sent his platoon out to find this North Vietnamese radar station that's trackin our B 52's. This radar station is hidden out in the jungle somewhere. Well Jimmie and his platoon(Jimmie called them his'Indians')find this radar station along with a battalion of North Vietnamese solders. They got Jimmie and his"Indians" pinned down. Jimmie's got his men in foxholes and they're firing away at each other.Jimmie radio's the base where the radar station is,but they want to get our boys out of there first before bombing the shit out of it. It's getting dark and there's no way they're gonna' try a rescue attempt at night. After several hours Jimmie's 'Indians' run out of ammo.
"Now what do we do 'Sarge'?"asks one of his "Indians"
Jimmie laughed. "Throw rocks at 'em."
And that's what Jimmie and his"Indians" did. They threw rocks! In the mean time Jimmie catches a round in his back and he can't walk. Jimmie starts crawling from foxhole to foxhole to keep his young"Indians'" spirits up. Some of the boys are wounded and several have been killed. It's totally dark.
"Sarge,"another one of the "Indians" asks,"We ran out of rocks. What do we do now?"
"Laugh at 'em."
Well they laughed. It probably made those Vietnamese soldiers wonder who they were fighting. A bunch of crazy Marines who didn't give a shit. Those kind of Marines are the most dangerous.
At day break the helicopters arrived to the resue them,but Jimmie radioed that it was too dangerous to attempt a rescue. After Jimmie directed mortar fire on the enemy from his radio,then was it safe to rescue Jimmie and the "Indians".
There's a picture of Jimmie and his wife and kids at the White House receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Johnson. The surviing "Indians" all received Bronze Stars,not to mentin a bunch of Purple Hearts,including one for Jimmie.
That Friday we played Morse High School for the League Championship. It was touch and go,but we lost the game. in the final seconds. Traditionally we'd all go out to eat after the game,win or lose. I said to Jimmie that I'd drive him over to the "Chuck Wagon" to meet the other coaches for a meal.
"Not tonight,Rog. I'm a little under the weather. You can just take me home."
We ate dinner without "Sarge" that night. That night Gunnery Sargaent Jimmie Howard ,Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient ,died in his sleep from a heart attack.
I'll never forget the ceremony they had for him at the Marine Base. I never saw so much"fruit salad" and stars on uniforms in my whole life. Every general west of the Mississippi ,and who knows,from where else flew in to honor Jimmie. Jimmie's family,our football team,marching bands,congressmen,and the mayor were all there. It seemed that everyone in the community wanted to be there to remember Jimmie. One Marine said to me whenever Jimmie walked on the base everthing would stop. It was like the President arrived.
Our team sure missed 'ol "Sarge". All that time, and he never said nothing to me about a Congressional Medal of Honor. Within my earshot,I never heard him mention it once. He could have out bragged anyone if he wanted to. Like Jimmie,you don't have to tell anyone how much of a man you are,you keep it inside. Why spoil something by telling everyone you won the Congressional Medal of Honor?
After Jimmie passed,I wanted to keep his memory with me. From that day on ,whever I was coaching the offensive line and a kid missed a block,I'd be sure to call him"Thimble Dick".
.
Well wouldn't you know it. The old fellow had passed away sitting on the couch. He was wearing his ball cap and and his sweats. It must of just happened. He was gone. Sitting in front of him was a picture of his 'ol dog "Shadow". I'm gonna' miss those two. But I figure Bud is up there with "Shadow" and things will be OK now. They're back together again.
The guy that took over for Bud was another 'ol boy they called "Sarge". His real name was Jimmie Howard,but he liked being called "Sarge".
His son had been on the team a few years before I got there. "Sarge" was kind of a big fella' with gray hair cut short on the top. He was afflicted with diabetes and the doctors were chippin' away at the bottom of his foot. He walked around with one of those walking casts. They say he was good friends with Bud. That's probably why they took him on.
He didn't miss a beat. He'd be out there with the high school girls, who volunteered to help out,and they'd be chalking the field and filling up water bottles. They made sure all our gear was out,and after practice they'd lug it back into the equipment room. I guess you could say the girls weren't the prettiest or most popular,but that would only be the consensus in my book. I saw it differently. They were the best girls on campus. They'd stay late and loved working with "Sarge" and being with the team.
I started to get to know him. He was a kick in the ass. Always joking around and calling everybody by their last name. He said he played football somewhere back in Iowa where he was from. The game had kind of passed him by because he didn't see no sense in throwing the ball. Well our bunch was leading the County in scoring and we had the number one quarterback and the numbers one and two receivers. But "Sarge" still insisted we get awy from that and run the ball between the tackles.
He referred to his wife as "the old battle ax",but then he'd say she was the best woman in the world. Beside his son,"Sarge" had twin daughters who were security guards at the school during the day. Like Bud, I'd pick him up and take him home when his leg would act up on him. He liked to treat me to dinner for the ride home,and I seldom refused. "Sarge" could sure talk up a storm. He liked being with the the young kids. He said they had loads of potential to build on. He loved his family and was always praising them in every conversation.
I was coaching the"O" line and a guy by the name of Eddie Johns had the"D" line. We'd work our guys together in practice everyday. Eddie had been a coach at the Marine Base(MCRD) in San Diego. Before Vietnam,those MCRD teams were awesome. No one could touch them. They had an advantage though. Some of those players had college and even pro experience . A lot of those guys were already nearing thirty.Eddie was a retired Marine colonel. He'd served in Korea in the Chosan "pull out". He used to laugh and say "We weren't retreating. Only backing up killing those Chinese. It was easier to do it that way."
I don't know why it took me so long to ask. Maybe after hearing"Sarge" call all the guys "thimble dick" finally got me to ask Eddie Johns one day,"Was 'Sarge' ever in the service?"
Eddie had a blank look on his face.
"You don't know who that is?"
"No,who is he?"
"His platoon in Vietnam was the most decarated combat unit in the War. He earned a Congressional Medal of Honor."
"He never mentioned it to me."
"He's also got a Silver Star when he was in Korea."
That night I got on the Internet. Eddie Johns wasn't bullshittin' me about "Sarge". The articles talked about how Jimmie Howard went back to Vietnam from being in the reserves. They said because of his age,they didn't want to put him in combat. Well that didn't sit well with him,so he did enough gripng to finally be a platoon leader. A Gunnery Sargaent. The way the story goes they sent his platoon out to find this North Vietnamese radar station that's trackin our B 52's. This radar station is hidden out in the jungle somewhere. Well Jimmie and his platoon(Jimmie called them his'Indians')find this radar station along with a battalion of North Vietnamese solders. They got Jimmie and his"Indians" pinned down. Jimmie's got his men in foxholes and they're firing away at each other.Jimmie radio's the base where the radar station is,but they want to get our boys out of there first before bombing the shit out of it. It's getting dark and there's no way they're gonna' try a rescue attempt at night. After several hours Jimmie's 'Indians' run out of ammo.
"Now what do we do 'Sarge'?"asks one of his "Indians"
Jimmie laughed. "Throw rocks at 'em."
And that's what Jimmie and his"Indians" did. They threw rocks! In the mean time Jimmie catches a round in his back and he can't walk. Jimmie starts crawling from foxhole to foxhole to keep his young"Indians'" spirits up. Some of the boys are wounded and several have been killed. It's totally dark.
"Sarge,"another one of the "Indians" asks,"We ran out of rocks. What do we do now?"
"Laugh at 'em."
Well they laughed. It probably made those Vietnamese soldiers wonder who they were fighting. A bunch of crazy Marines who didn't give a shit. Those kind of Marines are the most dangerous.
At day break the helicopters arrived to the resue them,but Jimmie radioed that it was too dangerous to attempt a rescue. After Jimmie directed mortar fire on the enemy from his radio,then was it safe to rescue Jimmie and the "Indians".
There's a picture of Jimmie and his wife and kids at the White House receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor from President Johnson. The surviing "Indians" all received Bronze Stars,not to mentin a bunch of Purple Hearts,including one for Jimmie.
That Friday we played Morse High School for the League Championship. It was touch and go,but we lost the game. in the final seconds. Traditionally we'd all go out to eat after the game,win or lose. I said to Jimmie that I'd drive him over to the "Chuck Wagon" to meet the other coaches for a meal.
"Not tonight,Rog. I'm a little under the weather. You can just take me home."
We ate dinner without "Sarge" that night. That night Gunnery Sargaent Jimmie Howard ,Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient ,died in his sleep from a heart attack.
I'll never forget the ceremony they had for him at the Marine Base. I never saw so much"fruit salad" and stars on uniforms in my whole life. Every general west of the Mississippi ,and who knows,from where else flew in to honor Jimmie. Jimmie's family,our football team,marching bands,congressmen,and the mayor were all there. It seemed that everyone in the community wanted to be there to remember Jimmie. One Marine said to me whenever Jimmie walked on the base everthing would stop. It was like the President arrived.
Our team sure missed 'ol "Sarge". All that time, and he never said nothing to me about a Congressional Medal of Honor. Within my earshot,I never heard him mention it once. He could have out bragged anyone if he wanted to. Like Jimmie,you don't have to tell anyone how much of a man you are,you keep it inside. Why spoil something by telling everyone you won the Congressional Medal of Honor?
After Jimmie passed,I wanted to keep his memory with me. From that day on ,whever I was coaching the offensive line and a kid missed a block,I'd be sure to call him"Thimble Dick".
.
Last edited by dagosd2000 on 18 Apr 2008, 21:52, edited 1 time in total.
-
dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Geez Pal,I think something psychic is going on. Read my last post. I was writing it while you posted the story about you friend. God Bless. Dagoskikibalt wrote:diego
Did I mentioned to you last Saturday that I had a cousin that own a bar up the street for Steven's?
He got killed that Saturday morning going home from the bar, no he wasn't drunk, he suffer a heart attack while driving home about 3AM, tomorrow is his funeral.
Great story diego, and God bless you too.dagosd2000 wrote:Geez Pal,I think something psychic is going on. Read my last post. I was writing it while you posted the story about you friend. God Bless. Dagoskikibalt wrote:diego
Did I mentioned to you last Saturday that I had a cousin that own a bar up the street for Steven's?
He got killed that Saturday morning going home from the bar, no he wasn't drunk, he suffer a heart attack while driving home about 3AM, tomorrow is his funeral.
In Memory of a Hero of Marines
To whom it may concern;
It is said that each person has 15 minutes of fame in his life. Well my brothers, I believe like wise, some of us are gifted to be in the presence of heros! On 15 June, 1966, I was a PFC with Charlie 1/5. We had seen a little action.
That evening we were called on to go to the aid of a Recon unit in deep shit. To say I was a little scared is an understatement. Recon never gets in a little trouble they usually get in a shit storm. And if they needed help you can bet the farm it was not going to be enjoyable. We mounted up, boarded the choppers and were off.
These Marines were acting as a radio relay for another Recon unit. As we approached, all I saw were green tracers; not a red one in the bunch. The pucker effect was total. But we were waved off. Seems that this crazy Recon guy said it was too hot to land: hell, that worked for me.
Shortly after that, as the sun came up, we came onto the LZ at that God-forsaken hill. What we did, the KIA's and WIA's we took, although heart wrenching, seems now just a side note to what had happened to those brave Marines on that Hill that night. No movie will be made about it; no history book will ever remember it; but I saw and helped some of this country's greatest heroes. Below is the Citation for one of them. That night one Medal of Honor was won, 3 Navy Cross's, numerous Silver Stars and God only knows how many Purple Hearts. There were teenage boys that night that gave everything: they would never go home to buy that GTO or take Suzy to the Prom.
16 June, 1966, I stood with the most gallant men our Marine Corps has ever produced. There has never been a day since that I don't think of them.
Below is Gunny Howards Medal of Honor Citation, they are just words to some but not to me.
Respectfully Submitted;
Cpl. Jim O. Davlin
0311 64-68
1/5 Hill 54
The President of the United States, in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to:
GUNNERY SERGEANT JIMMIE E. HOWARD
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty. G/Sgt. Howard and his 18-man platoon were occupying an observation post deep within enemy-controlled territory. Shortly after midnight a Viet Cong force of estimated battalion size approached the Marines' position and launched a vicious attack with small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. Reacting swiftly and fearlessly in the face of the overwhelming odds, G/Sgt. Howard skillfully organized his small but determined force into a tight perimeter defense and calmly moved from position to position to direct his men's fire. Throughout the night, during assault after assault, his courageous example and firm leadership inspired and motivated his men to withstand the unrelenting fury of the hostile fire in the seemingly hopeless situation. He constantly shouted encouragement to his men and exhibited imagination and resourcefulness in directing their return fire. When fragments of an exploding enemy grenade wounded him severely and prevented him from moving his legs, he distributed his ammunition to the remaining members of his platoon and proceeded to maintain radio communications and direct air strikes on the enemy with uncanny accuracy. At dawn, despite the fact that 5 men were killed and all but 1 wounded, his beleaguered platoon was still in command of its position. When evacuation helicopters approached his position, G/Sgt. Howard warned them away and called for additional air strikes and directed devastating small-arms fire and air strikes against enemy automatic weapons positions in order to make the landing zone as secure as possible. Through his extraordinary courage and resolute fighting spirit, G/Sgt. Howard was largely responsible for preventing the loss of his entire platoon. His valiant leadership and courageous fighting spirit served to inspire the men of his platoon to heroic endeavor in the face of overwhelming odds, and reflect the highest credit upon G/Sgt. Howard, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service.
Lyndon B. Johnson
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Footnote: From an article in the Milwaukee Journal dated 8/21/67. Jimmie Howard was a native of Burlington, Iowa but at the time of his death he was residing in San Diego, California. His wife, his son and 5 daughters were in attendence when Gunnery Sergeant Howard was presented the Medal of Honor. It is also noteworthy to mention that of the 18 men (including Gunnery Sergeant Howard) who engaged the Viet Cong Battalion of more than 300 men, 12 survived. Four platoon members were awarded the Navy Cross and the other 13 received the Silver Star for heroic action. The Marine unit killed 200 of the Viet Cong during the 12 hour attack. Gunnery Sergeant Jimmie Howard had also been awarded the Silver Star in previous combat action during the Korean war. (Marine Corps Medal of Honor Page)
.
Footnote 2:
NAVY CHRISTENS NEW GUIDED-MISSILE DESTROYER HOWARD (DDG 83)
An Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, HOWARD (DDG 83), was christened
Saturday, Nov. 20, 1999, during a 9 a.m. EST ceremony at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine. Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Alford L. McMichael delivered the ceremony's principal address. Theresa M. Howard served as ship's sponsor in honor of her late husband. Her co-sponsor, Jill Hultin, wife of Under Secretary of the Navy Jerry Hultin, joined Howard in the time-honored Navy tradition of breaking a bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen HOWARD.
The ship is named in honor of Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jimmie E. Howard, (1929-1993), recipient of the Medal of Honor for his leadership of a platoon against repeated attacks by a battalion-sized Viet Cong force. After receiving severe wounds from an enemy grenade, he distributed ammunition to his men and directed air strikes on the enemy. By dawn, his beleaguered platoon still held their position. Howard also received the Silver Star Medal for service in Korea.
A previous HOWARD (DD 179) (1920-1945), named for Charles W. Howard, a U.S. Navy hero from the Civil War, earned six battle stars in World War II.
HOWARD is the 33rd of 51 Arleigh Burke class destroyers currently authorized by Congress. Truly multi-mission combatants, these destroyers are the most capable surface warships ever built. These ships can conduct a variety of missions, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection, in support of the National Military Strategy. Navy Cmdr. Joseph F. Nolan, a native of Massapequa Park, N.Y., is the prospective commanding officer of HOWARD. Upon commissioning in the year 2001, HOWARD will be homeported in San Diego, Calif., with a crew of 340 officers, chiefs and enlisted personnel, as a member of the U.S. Third Fleet. The ship, built by Bath Iron Works, is 509.5 feet in length, and has a waterline beam of 59 feet. Four gas-turbine engines power the 9,238 ton ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots.
To whom it may concern;
It is said that each person has 15 minutes of fame in his life. Well my brothers, I believe like wise, some of us are gifted to be in the presence of heros! On 15 June, 1966, I was a PFC with Charlie 1/5. We had seen a little action.
That evening we were called on to go to the aid of a Recon unit in deep shit. To say I was a little scared is an understatement. Recon never gets in a little trouble they usually get in a shit storm. And if they needed help you can bet the farm it was not going to be enjoyable. We mounted up, boarded the choppers and were off.
These Marines were acting as a radio relay for another Recon unit. As we approached, all I saw were green tracers; not a red one in the bunch. The pucker effect was total. But we were waved off. Seems that this crazy Recon guy said it was too hot to land: hell, that worked for me.
Shortly after that, as the sun came up, we came onto the LZ at that God-forsaken hill. What we did, the KIA's and WIA's we took, although heart wrenching, seems now just a side note to what had happened to those brave Marines on that Hill that night. No movie will be made about it; no history book will ever remember it; but I saw and helped some of this country's greatest heroes. Below is the Citation for one of them. That night one Medal of Honor was won, 3 Navy Cross's, numerous Silver Stars and God only knows how many Purple Hearts. There were teenage boys that night that gave everything: they would never go home to buy that GTO or take Suzy to the Prom.
16 June, 1966, I stood with the most gallant men our Marine Corps has ever produced. There has never been a day since that I don't think of them.
Below is Gunny Howards Medal of Honor Citation, they are just words to some but not to me.
Respectfully Submitted;
Cpl. Jim O. Davlin
0311 64-68
1/5 Hill 54
The President of the United States, in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to:
GUNNERY SERGEANT JIMMIE E. HOWARD
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty. G/Sgt. Howard and his 18-man platoon were occupying an observation post deep within enemy-controlled territory. Shortly after midnight a Viet Cong force of estimated battalion size approached the Marines' position and launched a vicious attack with small arms, automatic weapons, and mortar fire. Reacting swiftly and fearlessly in the face of the overwhelming odds, G/Sgt. Howard skillfully organized his small but determined force into a tight perimeter defense and calmly moved from position to position to direct his men's fire. Throughout the night, during assault after assault, his courageous example and firm leadership inspired and motivated his men to withstand the unrelenting fury of the hostile fire in the seemingly hopeless situation. He constantly shouted encouragement to his men and exhibited imagination and resourcefulness in directing their return fire. When fragments of an exploding enemy grenade wounded him severely and prevented him from moving his legs, he distributed his ammunition to the remaining members of his platoon and proceeded to maintain radio communications and direct air strikes on the enemy with uncanny accuracy. At dawn, despite the fact that 5 men were killed and all but 1 wounded, his beleaguered platoon was still in command of its position. When evacuation helicopters approached his position, G/Sgt. Howard warned them away and called for additional air strikes and directed devastating small-arms fire and air strikes against enemy automatic weapons positions in order to make the landing zone as secure as possible. Through his extraordinary courage and resolute fighting spirit, G/Sgt. Howard was largely responsible for preventing the loss of his entire platoon. His valiant leadership and courageous fighting spirit served to inspire the men of his platoon to heroic endeavor in the face of overwhelming odds, and reflect the highest credit upon G/Sgt. Howard, the Marine Corps, and the U.S. Naval Service.
Lyndon B. Johnson
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
Footnote: From an article in the Milwaukee Journal dated 8/21/67. Jimmie Howard was a native of Burlington, Iowa but at the time of his death he was residing in San Diego, California. His wife, his son and 5 daughters were in attendence when Gunnery Sergeant Howard was presented the Medal of Honor. It is also noteworthy to mention that of the 18 men (including Gunnery Sergeant Howard) who engaged the Viet Cong Battalion of more than 300 men, 12 survived. Four platoon members were awarded the Navy Cross and the other 13 received the Silver Star for heroic action. The Marine unit killed 200 of the Viet Cong during the 12 hour attack. Gunnery Sergeant Jimmie Howard had also been awarded the Silver Star in previous combat action during the Korean war. (Marine Corps Medal of Honor Page)
.
Footnote 2:
NAVY CHRISTENS NEW GUIDED-MISSILE DESTROYER HOWARD (DDG 83)
An Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, HOWARD (DDG 83), was christened
Saturday, Nov. 20, 1999, during a 9 a.m. EST ceremony at Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine. Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Alford L. McMichael delivered the ceremony's principal address. Theresa M. Howard served as ship's sponsor in honor of her late husband. Her co-sponsor, Jill Hultin, wife of Under Secretary of the Navy Jerry Hultin, joined Howard in the time-honored Navy tradition of breaking a bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen HOWARD.
The ship is named in honor of Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Jimmie E. Howard, (1929-1993), recipient of the Medal of Honor for his leadership of a platoon against repeated attacks by a battalion-sized Viet Cong force. After receiving severe wounds from an enemy grenade, he distributed ammunition to his men and directed air strikes on the enemy. By dawn, his beleaguered platoon still held their position. Howard also received the Silver Star Medal for service in Korea.
A previous HOWARD (DD 179) (1920-1945), named for Charles W. Howard, a U.S. Navy hero from the Civil War, earned six battle stars in World War II.
HOWARD is the 33rd of 51 Arleigh Burke class destroyers currently authorized by Congress. Truly multi-mission combatants, these destroyers are the most capable surface warships ever built. These ships can conduct a variety of missions, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection, in support of the National Military Strategy. Navy Cmdr. Joseph F. Nolan, a native of Massapequa Park, N.Y., is the prospective commanding officer of HOWARD. Upon commissioning in the year 2001, HOWARD will be homeported in San Diego, Calif., with a crew of 340 officers, chiefs and enlisted personnel, as a member of the U.S. Third Fleet. The ship, built by Bath Iron Works, is 509.5 feet in length, and has a waterline beam of 59 feet. Four gas-turbine engines power the 9,238 ton ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots.
-
dagosd2000
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 8638
- Joined: 01 Sep 2007, 03:31
Nice, honest assessment, Frankie (as ever). Arroyo's star shone briefly but for 18 months or so, he looked great and he was ruined, in my opinion, by Bob Arum, who threw Arroyo in with unbeaten Charlie Brown, slick Terrence Alli and heavy-handed Jimmy Paul in the space of seven months. Madness. Not every defence can be a hard one. Small wonder Harry had nothing left after Paul and that is a shame. Arroyo's boxing skills needed preserving.kikibalt wrote:Rob,Boxingnut wrote:Hi Frank. Whilst flicking through some boxing magazines from the 80's I read an article where Tony said he did not want to fight any more tune ups in case he got injured and would wait until he fought Harry Arroyo for the IBF title. How close did Tony come to this title shot?
There was never much talk about Tony fighting Arroyo, the fight we wanted and were close to making was with Ray Mancini, but one thing or another kept getting in the way, I think Arroyo would had been a harder fight for Tony, because Arroyo was a boxer and those were the kind of fighters that gave Tony problems, I think that Tony would have ko Mancini.
Tony could ko anybody that stood in front of him, even Mancini acknowledge that.
Incidentally, Harry won his IBF title beating Charlie Brown. A fight later, he beat Charlie Brown. They were two different fighters.
-
Rick Farris
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 7200
- Joined: 15 Feb 2008, 16:04
kikibalt wrote:
Frank . . .
The "Fight For Lives" cards held at both the Hollywood Legion and Olympic, were before my time. I remember Hap Navarro sharing some memories regarding these promotions, I believe it was a charity event, in some respect?
In the special Knockout publication you posted, there is reference to an Art Aragon fight, a 12 rounder for the "Fight For Lives" event.
Do you have any memories of the "Fight for Lives" promotions?
-Rick