Despite tragic news coming out of Ireland this Easter has the catholic church in controversy, once upon a time, the Irish catholic Priest or missionary was a heralded sort that was a rock of the ages. For those of the catholic faith, the message of Easter is clear:  Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ our savior whose purpose was to save us all. To free us from oppression – something SF personnel have often embodied.

One year ago last Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, U.S. Special Operations Forces, including Navy SEALs staged a dramatic rescue of a US Captain of cargo ship who had been taken hostage by Somali pirates. … His fate was worrisome and  with God and country on his side

On Easter morning 1972, US Marine Captain John Ripley, while under intense enemy fire, blew up a bridge to stop a major invasion. The story of “Ripley at the Bridge” is legendary in the Marine Corps… He in fact called out to Jesus and his mother thoughout his  heroic action that day ( See:http://www.specialforces.com/newsletter/2009_11/ )
The common thread on both operations was to prevent or if you will .– do the impossible .free the oppressed– de oppresso liber. While the modern Special Forces soldier  or Air Force PJ serving so “That Others May Live” are a far cry from Christ’s physical rebirth,  the intent behind their actions is very much part of the spirit which bounds a  soldier to undertake an extreme duty. 

De oppresso Liber — the U.S. Special Forces motto eptiomizes that which Christs  teachings indicate.A US Army traditional phrase in  Latin for “[to free from oppression]” or “[to liberate the oppressed]“.

“Learn to do well:
seek judgment,
relieve the oppressed
judge for the fatherless,
defend the widow.

~Cf. Isaiah 1:17:

The phrase stems from the exploits of World War Two OSS Jedburgh/Sussex and Detachment 101 teams operating behind the lines in Europe and China Burma, India theaters. The unconventional warfare tactics of Colonel Bank differed from the conventional tactics of the rest of the US Army in that they included clandestine support for one side of an existing conflict and that they were subversive to the Nazi and Jap forces in power.

Of  the near faceless, unsung many who served U.S. interests operationally– we find  two of the most eccentric  yet un-heralded characters  whose unsung legends  have a Davy Crockett or Daniel Boone  about them. They were  both Irishmen — Irish catholic missionaries  to be exact .  they were both part of the OSS operation in Burma; one who was to become  known as the ‘fighting father’. His name ? :Father James Stuart.  The other his senior Father  Dennis MacAlindon.  Two of the most  hard charging  Kick-butt- take-names -no nonsense- sacrament-giving – friars combat ever knew… or the Japs ever faced

 .Like something from a Hollywood movie( which should be made about them) these two most colorful fellows and priests, Stuart and MacAlindon were both from County Derry Northern Ireland  and their behind-the-lines combat operations were once actually chronicled by  Irish American born  Naval/ OSS Officer and Hollywood legendary director John Ford,  by a OSS film crew at his disposal to follow them. 

Together, Stuart and Mac Alindon spent three years plunging  into the mythical and treacherous  magical  world of  the OSS Detachments 101,  1942 Burma, under the  stewardship of  a  Colonel named Eifler –  somebody we’ll remember at another time

 Stuart was born in 1909. A devote catholic his entire life,  was an Irish missionary from the Missionary Society of St. Columban( also known as ‘The Columbans’, is a missionary, Catholic religious order, founded in Ireland in 1916 and approved by the Vatican in 1918…) was a crusader and converter for the Burmese Kachin tribesmen, Which he first met in 1936,  nine years before  the war.

When in 1942 Stuart watched the Japs burn down his jungle church and torture his parishioners, he saved the lives of many refugees and he swore vengeance.

Operating  from an isolated tea plantation at Nazira, Assam , Burma  in the heart of [Rudyard] Kiplings  Jungle book country,  Stuart organized the Kachin into a 250,000 man  guerrillaArmy against  the Japs. Tha Kachins were uncanny  jungle fighters,and even with primitive  weapons  they had been wreaking havoc on the Japs. 

OSS Director Donovan decided to support Stuart  and his Kachin unit  with Eifler first (and later Col. Ray Peers )leading them  under  OSS Detachment 101 becoming one of WW II’s most successful clandestine allied outfits. Father Stuarts quasi-mercenary army with Father Stuart and Father MacAlindon at the lead were all about ‘wreaking havoc on the enemy’.

With the OSS operatives and the Kachins at their side Stuart and MacAlindon were the embodiment of that Kipling-esque phrase:

“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” ~unknown

Eifler would write of them in his first report to OSS Headquarters on how Stuart was introduced to the Japs:

“…..Now a bit about Father Stuart. When the British retreatedin Northern Burma, Father Stuart decided to stay with his flock…”

“…The fact that he had been unable at that time to convert any of the Kachins to Catholicism had not in any way dampened his enthusiasm for his mission in life. After the British had left and he heard the Japs were advancing, he decided that perhaps a bold move on his part would be the best, so he walked down the highway until he had met the advancing troops. Picking the most imposing figure upon the best horse, and rightly surmising that this was the leader of the Japanese troops, he walked up to him, took the bridle of the horse in his hand and stopped it, and demanded of the rider “Are you Chinese?”

The Japanese officer looked at him, and thoroughly disgusted, turned his head and spat over his shoulder, and said, “Are you English?” The Father mimicking the Jap, looked at him in utter disgust, turned his head, spat over his shoulder, and said nothing. When the question was repeated he denied being English, and stated that he was an Irishman, of which “begorra” he is, but is from Northern Ireland. The Jap got off his horse, drew two half moons on the ground, pointing to one he said, “this is England,” and to the other, “this is Ireland. Where is your home?” Father unhesitatingly placed his finger on the southernmost part of the half moon representing Ireland. The Major was not completely satisfied, and wanted to shoot Father. However, there was a young lieutenant with the troop who was Christian, Father learned afterwards, and he spoke up in Father’s behalf, and the Major withheld his decision at that time, although later on he did order Father shot. The Lieutenant, however, sent warning to Father, and prior to the time that he could be arrested he had escaped into the jungle.”

~ Carl Eifler

  Eifler then carried on about  Mac Alindon

“…Now, in my opinion, Father MacAlindon would have chosen a much better profession had he chosen the profession of a pugilist instead of the priesthood. He surely loves a fight. When it was reported that the Japanese were marching upon the town which he had made his headquarters, he acquired some hand grenades that had been left back by the British, placed a shotgun in each window of his home, slept with an open box of hand grenades alongside of his bed, and succeeded in keeping the natives closely enough united that no Japanese to this day have managed to reach the town of Kajitu, which was his  headquarters. He was afterwards ordered out of the hills and back into the British lines by the British Government…After being indoctrinated to my perverted ideas of warfare, Father MacAlindon returned to the hills, and has since been Major Wilkinson’s assistant, while Father Stuart stayed with me at my headquarters and became and instructor in the arts that I teach.”

 ~ Colonel Carl Eifler

What Eifler did not mention is how Stuart managed to wrangle a  captured  british.38 Webley revolver  and ammo  and pistol training  from the Jap  lieutenant( even though he had already been an experienced  shooter…) under the guise of hunting wild pigs for shooting pigs for the villagers.  Upon escaping them Stuart and  MacAlindon  teamed up and hiding from a pursuing Jap patrol,  they “acquired ‘ grenades and  shotguns and  employed them to ward of their  Jap pursuers  as a diversion to further escape to India into the open arms of Eifler and Detachment 101.

In the true spirit of De Oprresso Liber serving God and Jesus on the side of truth, Father  MacAlindon and Stuart with OSS Det 101  for  the remainder of the war,  liberated  saved ,  feed, educated, taught and clothed the Kachin people;  while also joining them to under go Eiflers “instruction in the arts’ (as he would put it of  guerilla warfare . Stuart acted as the chief interpreter between the head of the Kachin volunteer Army  and  Director OSS ,  General  Donovan as he  visited the operation in the field with Colonel Eifler

Together the Two fathers partook in commando raids, and were said to have killed japs as necessary.  Stuart a rescued American airmen in Northern Burma .  In appreciation of the valuable service he rendered British and American Intelligence, the ‘ Fighting Father,’ as he was afterwards called, was awarded the O.B.E.( Order of the British Empire)  at wars end. Stuart was killed either right before or soon after VJ day.   Father  Mac Alindon’s fate  is unknown..

Since the ‘fighting fathers’ many chaplains and operatives in the SF world  have taken part in many direct action and unconventional warfare tactics and operations  which are all about freeing the oppressed. (The 1950 CIA  para military commando operation to rescue the Dalai Lama from certain CHICOM execution, is just one example.)

In effect elite force operations are often to free more conventional forces from the costly rigors of sustained conflict. Thus, they can often take on a spiritual meaning as they commence, but by their completion, often surprise their participants with  a ‘de facto’ ,  de oppresso liber spirit which propels though them to attain there objectives — as though Christ is there,  with them .

 To those unbelievers reading this –  heathens , and agnostics -. a spirit of a greater good defined by all of Christ’s teaching’s often follows one  into battle…. Something that continues to propel units that live de oppresso liber into their hearts even if they are not officially U.S. Army Special Forces troopers. Thi mindset is  projected via groups like Oath keeprs .org for  example

While  Army SF troopers free the oppressed and Air Force Pararescue men serve so “That Others May Live”   are a far cry from Christ’s physical rebirth,  their operational tempo and drive  is very much part of the spirit which bounds a  soldier to undertake an extreme duty. 

A prayer for them and all U.S. Special Forces of modern day comes to mind this Easter

The Special Forces prayer Written in 1961 for William Pelham “Bill” Yarborough by SF Chaplain John Stevey, the 7th SFG (ABN) Chaplain Exemplifies what goes behind the SF troopers

Special Forces Prayer

__________________

Almighty GOD, Who art the Author of liberty

and the Champion of the oppressed, hear our prayer.

We, the men of Special Forces, acknowledge

our dependence upon Thee in the preservation of human freedom.

Go with us as we seek to defend the defenseless and to free the enslaved.

May we ever remember that our nation, whose motto

is “In God We Trust”, expects that we shall acquit

ourselves with honor, that we may never bring shame

upon our faith, our families, or our fellow men.

Grant us wisdom from Thy mind, courage from Thine

heart, strength from Thine arm, and protection by Thine hand.

It is for Thee that we do battle, and to Thee belongs the victor’s crown.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever. AMEN

In sprit it is a prayer that embodies a lot of what Easter is all about –Hope. The real kind of non political balderdash – hope.

This Easter season, whatever your faith, whatever your branch of service or SOF unit, you or a loved one or friend are part of. Please pause and reflect for the blessings that have helped you/them in and out of harms ways and the noble duty you conduct each day. Remember all who served, and those who continue to serve our nation dutifully — the world over and always remember those like the‘ fighting fathers’ and their exploits so you may hand them down to younger generations of warriors.  What ever its problems The catholic clergy may have its short comings but its message is clear and many an elite soldier needs to always remember that without   Christ’s spirit in their actions those  Americans despite what odds from within or externally are tossed our way , will find the mission of special forces an even tougher road to  –free the oppressed  on if we abandon it.

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Yes, yes, the 6-foot-6 Parker later played Daniel Boone with the trademark hat. But for the first American generation to grow up with television, the fact was Parker looked and acted more like Davy Crockett than Davy Crockett himself (see drawing).

Parker’s mid-fifties portrayal of the legendary frontier figure (1786-1836) repeated the lessons that contemporary fathers were then attempting to instill in the minds of millions of baby-boomers.

In the days before Bart Simpson became a reverse role model, Davy held that you always said what you meant, meant what you said and went down swinging for what you believed in. Twenty-first century corner-cutting deal-making was not actually an option.

Davy was in the Tennessee militia, rising to the rank of colonel, and then entered the state legislature in 1821 before riding off to Washington like a prehistoric Mr. Smith packing saddlebags full of common sense.

But, turns out, Davy had different talking points than another Tennessean, President Andrew Jackson.

Davy particularly didn’t like Jackson’s Indian Removal Act of 1830, which was basically a land grab that resulted in the forcible eviction of tens of thousands of Indians from Southern and Eastern lands and their removal to the West. Davy didn’t rightly see that as fair, seeing as how the Indians were there first and thought they had a bargain with the U.S. government and all.

For his outspoken opposition to the White House and because Indian rights were not a priority among white voters, Davy was defeated in 1834 and stormed off to Texas to join its Revolution. He died at the Alamo soon after, either swinging an empty Old Betsy at Mexican troops or, according to another version, while enduring later torture.

Eighty-eight years later Fess was born in the then-state of Texas and grew up in San Angelo, only 200 miles from the Alamo. He joined the Marines in World War II to become a pilot but was deemed too tall. He graduated on the G.I.Bill as a history major from the University of Texas and traveled to California to pursue acting.

After his short TV career, Parker disappeared from the entertainment world, becoming a real estate developer in and around Santa Barbara. Later he started his own winery. Thursday afternoon moments after talking with assembled family, he died peacefully in his own home, as if it was scripted.

It was the 84th birthday of his wife of 50 years, Marcella.

It was also 174 years and 13 days after the other Davy died in San Antonio.

(The full Parker obituary is over here.)

– Andrew Malcolm

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We American warriors lost a Beloved American Icon Fess Parker : Who was as tradtional as the two legends he protrayed: Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone — Passed Away March 18, 2010. While the Real Davy Crockett was born August 17th 1786,Fess Parker was born August 16, 1924 in Fort Worth, Texas, He grew up on a farm near San Angelo and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the latter part of World War II. Hoping to become a pilot, he was turned down because he was 6 feet 6 inches . He then tried to become a radioman gunner, but he was found too big to fit comfortably into the rear cockpit. He was finally transfered to the Marine Corps as a radio operator and shipped out for the South Pacific and saw combat in the Phillipines shortly beforethe atom bomb ended the war. After the war, Parker graduated from the University of Texas in 1950 with a degree in history, for his stalwart academics he was initiated into Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. With one year remaining on his GI Bill, he studied drama at the University of Southern California, working towards a master’s degree in theater history… before turming professional actor. If your over 45, American and don’t remember what Parker did with Walt Disney TV and movies to raise the principaled folk legend of Davy Crockett( and billion dollar coonskin cap craze )– you must have been part of an alien abduction. He later portrayed Daniel Boone on TV, before by the 1970s , migrated from acting, producing, directing into business..Real Estate and Wine business. with a long eduring yet transient and very icongraphic fame, he had with crockett and Boone leaving liberal Hollywood; co mingling mimicking and personifying his modern life with the spirti of the frontiersmen he chracterized. by becoming very succesful. Like Crockett his,Folk hero satus might have been temprarily forgotten but never wained as anyone who would meet him at his winery could testify to. In 1948 Walt Disney told then famed Hollywood columinist Hedda Hopper that it was: ” Time to get acquainted or renew acquaintence with, the robust, cheerful, energetic and representative folk heroes.” Disney put Parker in the coonskin cap ; and Parker’s Crockett helped boys growing into men elevate our image of what an American Man should be. “In the days before Bart Simpson became a reverse role model, Davy held that you always said what you meant, meant what you said and went down swinging for what you believed in. Twenty-first century corner-cutting deal-making was not actually an option” ~ Andrew Malcom “Take off those black armbands, kids, “and put on your coonskin caps, for Davy Crockett will hit the trail again.” ~ the gossip columnist Hedda Hopper on Fess Parker Davy Crockett Irreardless of how accuratea historical portrayal Parkers- Crockett was; a fad was created based on a set of values and principals and among other things influenced a generation of U.S. Warriors by Parkers depiction of Crockett. Years later, Mr. Parker said, Vietnam veterans told him that watching his Crockett deal with fear when they were young had influenced their conduct in battle. Perhaps after a years worth of “Obi wan- Ko-Kool-aid-bama”, Hollywood could find the likes of a New Heda Hopper to help the half of our country ( wearing whatever metaphorical todays Black Arm bands are today…liberalism?? ) and put on a new coonskin cap once agian to take back our country’s values, remain fearless under fire, and live a life of honor like the Fess Parkers( and Hedda Hoppers real life son William — Bill Hopper an actor who played 1950’s TV Perry Mason investigator Paul – who in his pre acting life like Parker, was a World War II OSS Operational Swimmer Group amphibious swimmer-comanndo-frogman and Navy UDT man.) Fess Parker himself might muse , heaven knows we sure need more like he and Bill in todays pop culture. Here’s to you Fess Parker:(Crockett) Thank you for imparting a manner and heroicism our detractors can’t stand– it keeps ‘em on there toes…and may God and his son, grant you and your family eternal salvation and remembrence by our nation and those young and yet to learn of you. You were truly what no surrender is all about. Let us hope you and Davy Crockett’s spirit in the after life, will join forces and will continue to inspire brazen patriotic acts of mythical proportions! Rest Well Fess!

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Why is it that if you do not choose to practice the 1st or 2nd Ammendments your not a Felon? but if you choose not to accept OBAMA CARE ..you are???

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Name? Hooah Dave. You may chuckle at my wild caricature but fun as it is, I am a character that you will find on most Special Forces A detachments.
I love adrenaline – the kind you find breathhold diving on a Diver Propulsion Device (DPD) with a hot blond breathold diving and  wavin’ old glory seated up to me on the back as we  buzz by a few lees aggressive divers to “wake ‘em up!”
I get bored easy and have a constant need to entertain myself while at the same time at the same time honing my warrior skills. I always likes to push things to the extreme beyond the judgment of the norm but in my world of organized chaos and bedlam I he see these antics as challenges to be met and feel the success of accomplishing what to someone else would be deem just ” crazy.” I hate the politically correct. If you tell me “no”or “you can’t” I immediately wonder why and begin to plot. No means yes if I can get away with it. As crazy as everything seems to the average person n me , Hooah Dave its all calculated adventure either by risks or to get reactions never reckless as the act appears. My thinking is deep and complex but with all my emotion always driven by thought — instead of being driven by emotion. The proof of it is afte years of such calculatingly reckless behavior I am still alive. Safety never rules me and risk invites me…

General ‘Wild Bill’ Donovan director and creator of World War II OSS — whose operational groups , Jedburghs and operational swimmer groups were the fore runners of modern (CIA & USSSCOM operators including…) U.S. Special Forces; SEALs, Marine Corps special operations forces and Coast Guardsmen( yes wise guys read that Coast Guard..) special operations — once wrote a memo to the then ( and first communist POTUS) Franklin Delano Roosevelt.  General Donovan’s promise was to form and lead a national secret service staffed of young officers who were”… calculatingly reckless ..with a disciplined daring …and trained for agressive action “. These men of total discretion General Donovan spoke of, are the modern incarnation of from whom I, and my brethren all hail…. Scoff at my image if you shall…

I am Shock and Aw…I am Hoaah Dave….THIS IS my Blog.
(Oorahs, Hooe-rahs, & Hooyahs) to you one and all!
Hooah, Dave

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During the past few weeks, the world has gathered to watch top athletes from around the globe compete in the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Athletes from Team USA, who have been training their entire lives to take the stage to represent our country, have been doing an awesome job representing us.

Currently, Team USA has won 25 medals (seven gold, eight silver, and ten bronze) at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. That total matches the number of medals won at the Torino 2006 Winter Games. With one more medal, the United States will set a record for the most medals won at an Olympic Winter Games not held on US soil. I’m writing with the hope that you could share the news to help support Team USA with the readers of Special Forces Gear Blog.

Anyone who registers on Teamusa.org will have access to the latest info and will receive exclusive updates throughout the rest of the games. You can read more, and get Team USA banners here:
http://teamusanews.org

Spread the word so we can all help support our Team USA athletes bring home the gold!

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1781: The Battle of Yorktown was the climax of the American Revolutionary War

Throughout American history the idea of “never surrender,” even under seemingly insurmountable odds, became ingrained in our national consciousness. It was borne on the battlefield most certainly, and carried forward in our wars. This idea was based partly on the idea that truth, justice, and God were on our side, and partly because we were an independent, freedom-loving people who detested oppression. If the world put forth dictatorships, fascism, Nazism or any sort of totalitarinism, America would fight to make things right, would not forget her friends, and would never surrender.

Never Surrender!

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Born: August 13, 1958
Lincoln, Nebraska

War: Somalia

Rank: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army
(Sniper Team Member)

Location of action: Mogadishu, Somalia

Date of action: October 3, 1993

Medal received from: President Bill Clinton, May 1994 (posthumously)

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Time Magazine reports on the Afghan shepherd that rescued the lone surviving US Navy SEAL from Operation Redwing:

A crackle in the brush. That’s the sound the Afghan herder recalls hearing as he walked alone through a pine forest last month. When he looked up, he saw an American commando, his legs and shoulder bloodied. The commando pointed his gun at the Afghan. “Maybe he thought I was a Taliban,” says the shepherd, Gulab. “I remembered hearing that if an American sticks up his thumb, it is a friendly gesture. So that’s what I did.” To make sure the message was clear, Gulab lifted his tunic to show the American he wasn’t hiding a weapon. He then propped up the wounded commando, and together the pair hobbled down the steep mountain trail to Sabari-Minah, a cluster of adobe-and-wood homes–crossing, for the time being, to safety.

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On October 29, 1963, Capt. “Rocky” Versace, 1Lt. “Nick” Rowe, and Sgt. Daniel Pitzer were accompanying a Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) company on an operation along a canal. The team left the camp at Tan Phu for the village of Le Coeur to roust a small enemy unit that was establishing a command post there. When they reached the village, they found the enemy gone, and pursued them, falling into an ambush at about 1000 hours. The fighting continued until 1800 hours, when reinforcements were sent in to relieve the company. During the fight, Versace, Pitzer and Rowe were all captured.

For 62 months, Rowe battled dysentery, beri-beri, fungal diseases, and grueling psychological and physical torment. Each day he faced the undermining realization that he might be executed, or worse, kept alive, but never released. His home was a wooden cage, three feet by four feet by six feet in dimension. His bed was a sleeping mat. In spite of all this, Rowe was a survivor. From the start of his capture, he began looking for ways to resist his captors while he could make plans for his escape. Since he was the S2 or Intelligence Officer for his unit, he had access to all sorts of classified and sensitive information including camp defenses, mine field locations, names of friendlies and unit strengths and locations. All information the viet cong would love to know.

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