oracle
04-16-2002, 08:18 PM
Dying Marine worked to get Navy Cross for WWII comrade (http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=7840)
By Sandra Jontz, Washington bureau
European edition, Tuesday, April 16, 2002
MARINE BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Thomas Mullahey’s final act was not that of a newsman, a husband or father.
It was that of a Marine.
On his deathbed, the retired Marine Corps colonel and news broadcaster dictated a letter he hoped would ensure that World War II comrade Frank Guidone receives a deserving medal -- the distinguished Navy Cross.
"One critical piece was verification from my dad about this man’s efforts. Dad, while very ill and just days away from death, dictated the story to me from his hospital bed," said Victoria Mullahey Thiele. "He was struggling for breath and for the words, but I could see the smile on his face as he recalled the story."
"Over a two-day period, we made a few changes. I typed up his words, then he signed the letter after giving me his final approval. He was adamant that ‘Frankie’ get this medal.
"He said: ‘So many people try to take credit for being a hero, when they have little or nothing to do with the effort. But Frankie tells the truth. He deserves that medal.’"
Retired Col. Thomas F. Mullahey died April 2 at age 82.
That’s what saddens Frank Guidone the most, he said following Saturday’s memorial service outside Quantico’s chapel, held as part of the 54th annual reunion for the Edson’s Raiders, the name given to the commando Marines from 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, led by then-Lt. Col. Merritt Edson.
...
Guidone’s level head and heroism saved the lives of several Marines on Aug. 7, 1942, when Edson’s Raiders struck Tulagi Island. It was a battle that lasted for more than 24 hours.
In private, Guidone recounted portions of the fight:
"After we landed, we tried to move inland and force [the Japanese] to the other side so they’d have their backs to the sea. We were forcing ourselves to the top of the ridge and we fought all night.
"We could hear them talking and yelling, so we knew they were close. They were so close. They were just in front of our lines.
"I was the squad leader, and I made sure my guys stayed down, covered in their foxholes, and I’d run back and forth for grenades. I threw most of them. At dawn, that one battle was over and we did not have one casualty the whole night long."
...
Click here to read more (http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=7840)
By Sandra Jontz, Washington bureau
European edition, Tuesday, April 16, 2002
MARINE BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- Thomas Mullahey’s final act was not that of a newsman, a husband or father.
It was that of a Marine.
On his deathbed, the retired Marine Corps colonel and news broadcaster dictated a letter he hoped would ensure that World War II comrade Frank Guidone receives a deserving medal -- the distinguished Navy Cross.
"One critical piece was verification from my dad about this man’s efforts. Dad, while very ill and just days away from death, dictated the story to me from his hospital bed," said Victoria Mullahey Thiele. "He was struggling for breath and for the words, but I could see the smile on his face as he recalled the story."
"Over a two-day period, we made a few changes. I typed up his words, then he signed the letter after giving me his final approval. He was adamant that ‘Frankie’ get this medal.
"He said: ‘So many people try to take credit for being a hero, when they have little or nothing to do with the effort. But Frankie tells the truth. He deserves that medal.’"
Retired Col. Thomas F. Mullahey died April 2 at age 82.
That’s what saddens Frank Guidone the most, he said following Saturday’s memorial service outside Quantico’s chapel, held as part of the 54th annual reunion for the Edson’s Raiders, the name given to the commando Marines from 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, led by then-Lt. Col. Merritt Edson.
...
Guidone’s level head and heroism saved the lives of several Marines on Aug. 7, 1942, when Edson’s Raiders struck Tulagi Island. It was a battle that lasted for more than 24 hours.
In private, Guidone recounted portions of the fight:
"After we landed, we tried to move inland and force [the Japanese] to the other side so they’d have their backs to the sea. We were forcing ourselves to the top of the ridge and we fought all night.
"We could hear them talking and yelling, so we knew they were close. They were so close. They were just in front of our lines.
"I was the squad leader, and I made sure my guys stayed down, covered in their foxholes, and I’d run back and forth for grenades. I threw most of them. At dawn, that one battle was over and we did not have one casualty the whole night long."
...
Click here to read more (http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=7840)