Tag: history
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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, sometimes…
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The class of my life…………. An essay by William Marshall
I got a message, our new Battalion Commander, was coming to JM School, as a student. Dan said, “Looks like your big boss is coming this class, you are gonna be 1st Stick leader, he will be class leader, don’t let him get distracted. If he fails, well, you know.” “Got it Dan, I got…
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3000 rounds a minute………. An essay by William Marshall(subtitled check out that stache)
In a real battle, a real battle, the key was keeping it fed. The capacity was half the size of it’s bigger self propelled cousin, the tank version. The Towed Vulcan Air Defense system fired 3000 rounds a minute. Look at this little picture here. Count the bullets. Look at the faces of the loaders.…
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Gun Power switch to on……….. An essay by William Marshall
Its declassified now. We are now able to wear combat patches and the appropriate awards but when it was happening, not so much. Operation Prime Chance, google it.The commander of our barge, a Navy Captain, was sitting right behind me, on the back of my towed Vulcan. We were on the Wimbrown 7. It was…
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I’m a towed Jumper, cut me free……… An essay by William Marshall
It started with 10 minutes, then Get Ready. Outboard personnel stand up got the sleeping bag zipper pulled all the way up, Inboard personnel stand up began the rope and 100 mph tape tied around my feet. Sound off for equipment check was rough. They all hit me with their fists and yelling, OK, OK,…
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What was it about Flagg? ……. An essay by William Marshall
Arvelli had a big smile. He was always laughing. He was a leader, but he wasn’t telling you what to do. He was just there with you, making it better. Always better. When Flagg would call cadence, I loved it. Flagg wasn’t a runner, he was a singer. He had hips that swayed too much…
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Entangled at 4000…. An essay by William Marshall
I began counting just like I was supposed to as I leapt from the door. 1000, 2000, 3000, 4……. the wind gust hitting my helmet, my britches legs flapping in the breeze. I am an Army paratrooper. I’m exiting a C-141 aircraft over Holland Drop Zone. Holland is one of the major training DZs on Fort…