MY HERO
In 1958, I graduated from Basic School in Quantico. My first assignment was to
return to T&T Regiment (Officer's Boot Camp) as a Platoon Commander, with two
Drill Instructors assigned to me. The Colonel in charge of T&T Reg't, at that
time, was Colonel Lewis Wilson. We were told that we need not make a visit to
his home individually, dressed in Dress Blues, with our wives in tow dressed in
their best, leaving an appropriate number of calling cards on a brass plate. You
would sit and speak, under Marine tradition, for fifteen minutes, and then state
that you must be leaving because you had another appointment. The Colonel and
his wife would say that they were so sorry that you have to leave, but show you
to the door. It was all done under standard obligations for new Officers
assigned, even the white lie about a second appointment. It was really meant to
keep your visit short and not waste the Commanding Officer's time.
In the case of Col. Wilson, he sent
out an all hands notice to his Officers, to be at his home at 1300 hours in
casual clothes, chinos and short sleeve shirt. When I arrived there was only one
parking space on the street across from Col. Wilson's home. I parked there and
upon my wife and I getting out of the car, the Colonel who lived in the house
where I parked, came blustering out of his home yelling that I was a Second
Lieutenant and had no right to park there. He was very angry and loud. With
that, Col. Wilson came out of his house stepped off his curb and told the other
Colonel, in no uncertain words, that I was his guest and I was damned well able
to park there. He then asked if the Colonel had nothing better to do on a nice
sunny day and then motioned to my wife and myself to come with him. We went into
his lovely home and he introduced his wife, a lovely and gracious woman. They
walked us to a huge crystal bowl full of what the Colonel called "Fisherman's
Wharf Punch" which had the punch of Moonshine. I got to read his framed orders
for the Congressional Medal of Honor, which blew my mind. Everyone stayed till
at least 1700 hours and had an excellent time. The Colonel was easy to talk to
and wanted to know all about us. My wife and I left feeling that he was the best
Leader we had ever met and in the coming months he proved that, in spades. I was
among three Second Lieutenants as Platoon Commanders, since all of the others
were Captains. I brought through two successive Honor Platoons and unlike some
others, on competition day, did not send any of my weaker or aching candidates
to sick call. We went out with everyone left in my platoon. We won First place
and I gave the responsibility to my two D.I.s, Sgts. Cleo Lee and Davis. Then I
got orders to join Force Troops, at Camp Lejeune, so I was called to the
Colonel's office for my Fitness Report, which was graded Excellent to
Outstanding. Before I left, the Marine Corps Birthday arrived and I was assigned
by the Colonel to cut the first slice of the Birthday Cake and hand it to the
Commandant of the British Royal Marines, who was our guest for our Birthday. I
was excited, but got through the ceremony fine. I was also called to the
Colonel's office to meet the Commandant afterward, with my wife. From that time
on Colonel Wilson was my special hero and idol. When I heard that he had
suffered a heart attack I felt awful, since I assumed he would retire. Not my
Colonel, instead he recovered and went on to further distinguish his career by
being chosen as Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. He was a great,
kind and heroic figure and is still my hero. He had thought that I was Excellent
to Outstanding. I always thought he was better than that. My prayers and
condolences, as well as my wife's, go to his wonderful wife and family.
Edward F. McGrath, an old 50's Marine