Too many men came home from Vietnam wondering if they made a difference. That they have these doubts is a stain on our nation that we are still trying to erase 50+ years later. God bless every one of them.
The Vietnam War really split the country and I don't believe we ever came back together as a nation again, except perhaps for the week of 9/12/2001.
Your history lessons are so valued, Tara, because you teach the history of the PEOPLE involved in the events, and not just the history of Events. It makes a huge difference!
All I can say is WOW, thank you Mr. Pittman for all the good that you did. Your bravery saved many lives, including your own. It's hard to comprehend serving while blind in one eye, let alone doing what he did. The word Hero isn't adequate.
Even saving one life would have made it worth every effort Lance Corporal Richard Pittman put forth, but he saved many. I can only imagine how devastated he felt to see all those names of the fallen on the Vietnam Memorial. It was good that one platoon sergeant wrote that letter to the editor of a Marine Corps publication acknowledging Pittman’s heroic actions that saved his life. It helped Pittman deal with his own doubts.
Simper Fi Lance Corporal Pittman. You can always be proud of the time served. You went in when you didn’t have to, yet you still served. Remember, Once a Marine, always a Marine. Thank for your service.
I served with Richard (Rick) Pittman while at stationed at MCAS El Toro, CA. He was a SSgt then and later promoted to GySgt. One Hell of a Marine. Later in my career, he was the guest speaker at a Marine Corps Ball at Camp Pendelton and promoted once again to MSgt.. I let him know we served together although he did not remember as I was a LCpl then. I miss him as he has since passed away. Fair winds and following seas MSgt Pittman.
Every American citizen should visit Washington DC and walk around the Memorials. Those hallowed grounds make you feel humble and sad. What did Vietnam accomplish? Afghanistan? Iraq? We can be assured of future generations hating America. Thank you Tara for another wonderful story of heroism.
The story of Richard Pittman is one of humility and love. That day, it was not just for his country he fought so bravely acted, but for the lives of the men of his company. As I read the remarks and see the familiar "Semper Fi" greetings, I see it so appropriate in Pittman's actions as he exemplified that motto "Ever Faithful." He was indeed faithful! Thank you for sharing this story of a heroic action by a humble man who did not consider the potential cost of what he was doing as too much to pay.
Lance Corporal Pittman is unquestionably a hero deserving of the MOH. All of his buddies that died in battle or that he saved are heroes as well. The shame is that he and other Vietnam Veterans would be left questioning their contributions for years, suppressing their experience to the point of silence.
Too many men came home from Vietnam wondering if they made a difference. That they have these doubts is a stain on our nation that we are still trying to erase 50+ years later. God bless every one of them.
The Vietnam War really split the country and I don't believe we ever came back together as a nation again, except perhaps for the week of 9/12/2001.
Your history lessons are so valued, Tara, because you teach the history of the PEOPLE involved in the events, and not just the history of Events. It makes a huge difference!
All I can say is WOW, thank you Mr. Pittman for all the good that you did. Your bravery saved many lives, including your own. It's hard to comprehend serving while blind in one eye, let alone doing what he did. The word Hero isn't adequate.
Thank you Tara for another MOH Monday.
Even saving one life would have made it worth every effort Lance Corporal Richard Pittman put forth, but he saved many. I can only imagine how devastated he felt to see all those names of the fallen on the Vietnam Memorial. It was good that one platoon sergeant wrote that letter to the editor of a Marine Corps publication acknowledging Pittman’s heroic actions that saved his life. It helped Pittman deal with his own doubts.
Absolutely so!!!
Simper Fi Lance Corporal Pittman. You can always be proud of the time served. You went in when you didn’t have to, yet you still served. Remember, Once a Marine, always a Marine. Thank for your service.
❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Yes Sgt. Pittman, you did real good. Your actions protected your friends. Thank you for being there and protecting them as best you could.
Tara Ross this is the trade off our heroes have to make, regretting the loss of their friends, teammates, and fellow heroes!
Ima 👍, follow, and share all your posts! Have a great week!
I served with Richard (Rick) Pittman while at stationed at MCAS El Toro, CA. He was a SSgt then and later promoted to GySgt. One Hell of a Marine. Later in my career, he was the guest speaker at a Marine Corps Ball at Camp Pendelton and promoted once again to MSgt.. I let him know we served together although he did not remember as I was a LCpl then. I miss him as he has since passed away. Fair winds and following seas MSgt Pittman.
Thank you, Tara.
👍👍👍
Semper Fi, Marine.
Over and over again Pittman picked up a firearm and used it to defend his fellow soldiers from capture and/or death!
What a hero this man was along with so many others who fought against evil in Vietnam!
I am so happy he found goodness in his acts of courage!
Thank you, Tara, for another story I had never heard before!
The difference was made and it was done under fire. Thank you for your service and valiant action, sir.
Every American citizen should visit Washington DC and walk around the Memorials. Those hallowed grounds make you feel humble and sad. What did Vietnam accomplish? Afghanistan? Iraq? We can be assured of future generations hating America. Thank you Tara for another wonderful story of heroism.
The story of Richard Pittman is one of humility and love. That day, it was not just for his country he fought so bravely acted, but for the lives of the men of his company. As I read the remarks and see the familiar "Semper Fi" greetings, I see it so appropriate in Pittman's actions as he exemplified that motto "Ever Faithful." He was indeed faithful! Thank you for sharing this story of a heroic action by a humble man who did not consider the potential cost of what he was doing as too much to pay.
Lance Corporal Pittman is unquestionably a hero deserving of the MOH. All of his buddies that died in battle or that he saved are heroes as well. The shame is that he and other Vietnam Veterans would be left questioning their contributions for years, suppressing their experience to the point of silence.