I spent a significant portion of my life 18 hours away from death. If not mine, someones. Someone was dying if I got the call. When I was in the 82nd Airborne Division, I spent years of my life 18 hours away from somebody’s death. Maybe it was mine. Maybe I had to kill someoneContinue reading “18 hours away…… An essay by William Marshall”
Category Archives: Inspirational
3-4 3/4 ADA ADAR identity crisis…….. An essay by William Marshall
We felt like stepchildren. We were part of the Bastard Brigade, heck, we were probably the least wanted in the Bastard Brigade. Air Defense, 3-4 ADAR in particular had an identity crisis. The Bear famously announced, “we ain’t 3/4 of nothing.” We are Third of the Fourth Air Defense Artillery Regiment. And that was that.Continue reading “3-4 3/4 ADA ADAR identity crisis…….. An essay by William Marshall”
The Keys to Area J……… An essay by William Marshall
The Keys to Area J……… An essay by William Marshall There are a few things that unites paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division in a common experience.
Lost NVGs, ANCD in Mott Lake, “Statues” of Limitations……. An essay by William Marshall
Lost NVGs, ANCD in Mott Lake, Statues of Limitations……. An essay by William MarshallThere are so many things that wonder about. What was the real truth? We had a drowning, a suicide, lost equipment, found equipment in the weirdest of places. We had a Soldier stealing from the Supply Room. 1SG Hilton said his momContinue reading “Lost NVGs, ANCD in Mott Lake, “Statues” of Limitations……. An essay by William Marshall”
But Sarge’, I make good money off the Porno’s………. An essay by William Marshall
But Sarge’, I make good money off the Porno’s………. An essay by William MarshallI got the call shortly after midnight, Soldier in jail, in Raleigh. As of midnight, I was the new platoon Sergeant. The old Platoon Sergeant hadn’t left, he had just asked not to be the Platoon Sergeant anymore. He was the CommoContinue reading “But Sarge’, I make good money off the Porno’s………. An essay by William Marshall”
Division Review……… An essay by William Marshall
Division Review……… An essay by William MarshallPass in Review….. That is all you were waiting for. Even when you heard that, it wasn’t over, actually, that is when the “performance” began. Either way, Pass in Review is what we were all waiting for, begging for, crying for. We had done the same thing yesterday, twiceContinue reading “Division Review……… An essay by William Marshall”
Sicily, Normandy, Salerno, Holland……… An essay by William Marshall
Sicily, Normandy, Salerno, Holland……… An essay by William MarshallIf those names ring a bell, then you and me have spent time together, probably in the air in the middle of the night. Seems like 0200 time on target with a 20 minute block time over Sicily would be the most common although Holland seemed toContinue reading “Sicily, Normandy, Salerno, Holland……… An essay by William Marshall”
An Embarrassed American: A Veteran’s Perspective….. An essay by William Marshall
An Embarrassed American: A Veteran’s Perspective….. An essay by William Marshall I. Introduction Being able to express oneself freely is a fundamental right in many countries, and as an American, I exercise this right by sharing my thoughts and experiences. Recently, I felt compelled to write an essay discussing my embarrassment with certain aspects ofContinue reading “An Embarrassed American: A Veteran’s Perspective….. An essay by William Marshall”
The SMJP
The SMJP……….. An essay by William Marshall The Stinger Missile Jump Pack(SMJP) was a hodgepodge of manufactured and made up. Put together properly and also added on to. Each SMJP was actually a little different than every other one in the beginning. We tried different snaps and connectors, releases and buckles. Sometimes they worked, sometimesContinue reading “The SMJP”
I want Door Position……….. An essay by William Marshall
I want Door Position……….. An essay by William Marshall If you are not on the Jumpmaster team, then the only other places to be were door position or stick pusher. Stick pusher meant that you were one of the last guys out the door. You sit in the front of the aircraft, walk a longContinue reading “I want Door Position……….. An essay by William Marshall”