Photo By Creighton Holub | A full Cavalry saddle, helmet, and saber sits on display in the Fort Bliss Centennial...... read more read more
FORT BLISS, Texas " Vietnam-era combat journalist and co-author of the book, "We Were Soldiers Once â?¦ And Young," Joe Galloway spent two days with members of the 1st Cavalry Division Nov. 30 through Dec. 1.
Galloway joined Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment of the "Long Knife" Brigade, sharing his experiences with the Cavalry and helping to instill unit pride in today's troops in their unit's lineage.
Galloway, who was invited by Lt. Col. Eric Welsh, 2-7 commander, gained notoriety in 1965, during the first of his eventual four tours in Vietnam, when he talked his way onto a Huey helicopter as the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment headed into battle at Landing Zone X-Ray.
The ensuing battle in the Ia Drang Valley became legendary and is the subject of Galloway's book, and the Mel Gibson movie "We Were Soldiers." He remains the only civilian to ever be awarded a Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device from the Army.
"You can take one step that changes your life," Galloway said, describing how he was the only journalist present for the three-day battle. "I got a ride into the pages of history, and they (the other journalists who remained in the rear) got a hot dinner."
Galloway spoke to the Long Knife commanders and sergeants major during an officers" professional development briefing. He shared his insights of Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Hal Moore, who commanded the 1-7 during the battle, and opened up a question-and-answer session with the brigade's leaders.
"It's important to realize that life is not a baseball game," he said, referring to the mentality and toughness of the Soldiers he met that day. "Three strikes and you are NOT out. You have got to keep comingâ?¦keep at it."
When asked about fear and survival on the battlefield he replied, "As soon as I picked myself up off the ground and started doing my job, the fear went away. You have to trust your instinct. It is a culmination of everything you have learned and experienced and it won't let you down. If you have to choose between your mind and your gut, choose your gut.
"It (that day) changed my heart. I had the obligation to tell their story. I didâ?¦I amâ?¦and I will, to the day that I die," Galloway added.
Culminating his visit, Galloway and Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) James Gooden, who was wounded at LZ Albany during that same 1965 engagement while serving with the 2-7, were honored as the guest speakers at the inaugural Garryowen Christmas Ball Dec.1.
The formal event featured a video history of the 2-7, hosted by Command Sgt. Maj. James Pippin, 2-7 command sergeant major, the traditional grog bowl ceremony highlighting Soldiers in period uniforms dating back to every engagement the Cavalry had participated in since its inception, and a presentation of gifts to the featured guests and door prizes to the attending Soldiers and their spouses.
"Joe Galloway has been called the finest combat correspondent of our generation; a Soldier's reporter, and a Soldier's friend," Welsh said, as he introduced Galloway to thunderous applause.
Galloway concluded the evening with a salute to the Soldiers.
"You, who wear this uniform, serve our country well," he said. "You do a job for 99 percent of the rest of Americans, and not often are you rewarded for it. I salute you on behalf of a country that, too often, forgets the true cost of war and who pays the price. But I know, and I remember."
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 06.01.2006 10:31 |
| Story ID: | 6624 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, US |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 25 |
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