In vietnam, plumley served as sergeant major the highest enlisted rank. He is most famous for his actions as sergeant major of the us armys 1st battalion, 7th cavalry regiment, at the battle of ia drang vietnam, 1965. Usas rulon gardner stuns undefeated russian bear aleksandr karelin in olympic epic nbc sports duration. The book was the basis for the 2002 film we were soldiers, in which plumley was played by actor sam elliott. Army investigating we were soldiers legend for inflating awards. At the time i had no idea he had such extensive combat experience. Nik asks the prisoner in vietnamese and the north vietnamese lookout responds in vietnamese. Plumley, a renowned career soldier whose exploits as an army infantryman were portrayed in a book and the movie we were soldiers, has died at 92 an age his friends are amazed that he. Command sergeant major basil plumley served in the republic of korea between 1972 and 1973. Mar 21, 2014 the story of the first major battle of the american phase of the vietnam war and the soldiers on both sides that fought it. The book was such a success that a decade later, a hit film was made, titled we were soldiers, starring mel gibson as hal moore and sam elliott as basil plumley. Plumley fought in world war ii, the korean war and vietnam and was awarded a medal for making five parachute jumps into combat. Plumley, a renowned career soldier who fought in world war ii, the korean war and vietnam and whose exploits as an infantryman were portrayed in a book and the movie we were soldiers. Plumley, 92, a retired army command sergeant major whose exploits as an infantryman were portrayed in a book and the movie we were soldiers, died oct.
The book was the basis for the 2002 film we were soldiers, in which. Plumley, a renowned career soldier whose exploits as an army infantryman were portrayed in a book and the movie we were soldiers, has died at 92 an age his friends. Veteran fought in world war ii, korea and vietnam command sergeant major basil plumley, who served in three wars, has died at the age of 92. During the vietnam war, he was sergeant major of the 1st battalion, 7th calvary regiment commanded by lt. Plumley january 1, 1920 october 10, 2012 was a career soldier and airborne combat infantryman in the united states army who eventually achieved the rank of command sergeant major. If theyre trying to get us close enough to kill, i rekon we ll be close enough to kill them. I was attending the infantry captains career course at the time filming of the movie we were soldiers was taking place at fort benning, ga. Hes not a sergeant major, but in his soul, he could just be him, said. Plumley was 92 years old and a legendary figure among noncoms and soldiers in three wars. The film was directed by randall wallace and stars mel gibson. He was a heroic figure long before his exploits figured in a book published in 1992, we were soldiers onceand young, and a movie released in 2002, we were soldiers. Got to the part where the sergeant major pushes the photographer out of the way. Plumley passed away this past week and to those that served in the u.
Army investigating we were soldiers legend for inflating. Civilian looking to tarnish reputation of famous war hero. Looking out the narrow prisonlike window of my classroom one beautiful i march day, i saw a great deal of commotion outside. He was known affectionately by his soldiers as old iron jaw. A name you may not recognize is command sergeant major basil l. Oct 10, 2012 he is well known for his actions as sergeant major of the 1st battalion, 7th cavalry regiment, at the battle of ia drang 1965. General hal moore praised plumley as an outstanding nco and leader in the book we were soldiers once. Oct 11, 2012 veteran fought in world war ii, korea and vietnam command sergeant major basil plumley, who served in three wars, has died at the age of 92. Basil plumley, 92, soldier who served nation in three wars. Plumleys soldiers affectionately called him old iron jaw. Basil plumley, legendary combat vet whose story was told. Plumley was a career solider who miraculously survived. Aug 20, 2019 sergeant major plumley we were soldiers. Sergeant major jacques was my 1st sgt my last three months in vietnam bravo company, 1st recon bn.
Tribute to csm basil plumley, remembering alex karras. He eventually reached the rank of command sergeant major, from beginning as a private. There are few light moments in this movie but are welcomed to break up the intensity of it. Based on the book we were soldiers onceand young by joe galloway, the film is as much about battlefield bravery as it. Based on the book we were soldiers once and young 1992 by lieutenant general ret. Plumley was a prominent and central figure in the 1992 book we were soldiers once and young by lt. Plumley retired as a command sergeant major on 31 december 1974, after almost 33 years of military service spanning world war ii, the korean war, and the vietnam war. He eventually reached the rank of command sergeant major, from. The story of the first major battle of the american phase of the vietnam war, and the soldiers on both sides that fought it, while their wives wait nervously and. He was a heroic figure long before his exploits figured in a book published in 1992, we were soldiers onceand young, and a movie released in 2002, we were. May 17, 2016 plumley who died of cancer at 92 years of age in 2012 was a pivotal character in the vietnam war book we were soldiers onceand young, which surrounded the events of the battle of ia drang valley during the vietnam war. Oct 16, 2012 sergeant major plumley received wider prestige after the 1992 publication of we were soldiers once. Plumley, a renowned career soldier who fought in world war ii, the korean war and vietnam and whose exploits as an infantryman were portrayed. Plumley, a renowned career soldier whose exploits as an army infantryman were portrayed in a book and the movie we were soldiers, has died at 92 an age his friends are amazed that he lived to see.
One of the most important elements when it came to making the 2002 film was doing it right, as hal moore had stated that very few war movies actually accomplished. Plumley, who earned more than 30 decorations including the rare honor of a combat infantrymans badge with two stars, signifying that he had fought in three wars, has died. Plumley served under hal moore as sergeant major of the u. It is based on the book we were soldiers once and young 1992 by lieutenant general ret. In a minute or two people start pissing on the mortar tubes to cool them down. He is well known for his actions as sergeant major of the 1st battalion, 7th cavalry regiment, at the battle of ia drang 1965. We were soldiers is a 2002 war film that dramatizes the battle of ia drang on november 14, 1965. He retired as a command sergeant major on december 31, 1974, having been. The actions of that unit in the battle of ia drang in 1965 were the basis of moores book, we were soldiers once, and young. She said, excuse me, sergeant major, but you seem to be a very serious man.
General hal moore praised plumley as an outstanding nco and leader in his book we were soldiers once. Rip csm basil plumley the american legions burnpit. The story of the first major battle of the american phase of the vietnam war and the soldiers on both sides that fought it. According to the times, plumley spoke frequently at officer and noncommissioned officer courses, but when an interviewer called and asked to. Galloway, it dramatizes the battle of ia drang on november 14, 1965. Legend has it that when sergeant plumley saw a bullet heading. The book was the basis for the 2002 film we were soldiers. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Feb 16, 2011 hi all, those of you who have seenread we were soldiers will be familiar with basil plumley, the hard as nails looking sergeant major that enjoyed going about his business with his. This book was named we were soldiers onceand young. Plumley was a career soldier and airborne combat infantryman in the united states army who eventually achieved the rank of command sergeant major, starting off as a private. This book was later used to create the 2002 movie we were soldiers where sam elliott played plumley. Army sergeant major was iconic in military circles and was featured in. Major basil plumley in the brutal and affecting vietnam war film we were soldiers.
He is most famous for his actions as a sergeantmajor of the us armys 1st. Csm basil plumley with ltg hal moore we were soldiers once. Plumley born 1920 in west virginia is most famous for his actions as a sergeantmajor of the us armys 1st battalion, 7th cavalry regiment, at the battle of ia drang 1965. Plumley was a soldier as well as an airborne combat infantryman in the us army. Galloway about the battle of ia drang and was portrayed by actor sam elliott in the 2002 film adaption. Hi all, those of you who have seenread we were soldiers will be familiar with basil plumley, the hard as nails looking sergeant major that enjoyed going about his business with his. The book was made in to a movie in 2002 starring mel gibson. Nov 01, 2012 though longawaited, my first opportunity to meet csm plumley came entirely as a surprise.
He was portrayed by sam elliott in the movie, we were soldiers starring mel gibson, which was based on the book, we were soldiers once. Plumley was known affectionately by his soldiers as old iron jaw. Plumley veteran of 3 wars 08202015 fuzzysdad01 uncategorized battle of ia drang, lieutenant general hal moore, old iron jaw, sam elliott, sergeant major basil l. Educators who bear the responsibility of presenting the history of the vietnam war to their students would do well to read this book. Basil plumley, legendary combat vet whose story was told in. Keep in mind that this movie is made from the book written by joe. Earlier this week, elliott paid his respects to sgt. The sergeant major was known affectionately by his soldiers as old iron jaw. Basil plumley, retired veteran whose book became we were. You may remember his character in the movie we were soldiers as the memorable rugged sergeant played by sam elliot.
Command sergeant major basil plumley served in the. The book was the basis for the 2002 film we were soldiers, in which plumley was played by sam elliott. Sergeant major plumley received wider prestige after the 1992 publication of we were soldiers once. Plumley is a veteran of world war ii, korea, and vietnam. Jan 06, 2015 usas rulon gardner stuns undefeated russian bear aleksandr karelin in olympic epic nbc sports duration. Though longawaited, my first opportunity to meet csm plumley came entirely as a surprise. We were soldiers is a 2002 american war film that dramatizes the battle of ia drang on november 14, 1965. Plumley who died of cancer at 92 years of age in 2012 was a pivotal character in the vietnam war book we were soldiers onceand young, which surrounded the events of the battle of ia drang valley during the vietnam war. Army he was a legend, a soldiers soldier, a mans man.
According to the times, plumley spoke frequently at officer and noncommissioned officer courses, but when an. We were soldiers is a 2002 american war film directed by randall wallace and starring mel gibson. Basil plumley, a retired veteran whose units actions in vietnam were turned into a book and then the movie, we were soldiers, has died. Aug 21, 2019 the book was such a success that a decade later, a hit film was made, titled we were soldiers, starring mel gibson as hal moore and sam elliott as basil plumley.
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