I have received feedback from Dave Brennan (editor of Precision
Shooting) that the recent article about the Hathcock Medal of Honor
effort is generating a LOT of very positive mail. In addition, more and
more Senators and Congressmen are telling callers "I've already
contacted the Secretary of the Navy. They said they're working on it."
We still need the phone calls and letters, though; to show a massive
public support for Carlos. And, it never hurts to remind politicians of
just how many of us are out here. Thanks; and keep it up! Ernie P.
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        After more than 25 years, Carlos Hathcock may finally get
recognition for his heroic action on September 16, 1969. Many people,
including Congressmen, Senators and Marine veterans, have attempted to
gain some measure of recognition for his actions. All of these attempts
failed because the regulations governing the award of decorations
mandated the request for award be made within three years of the
incident for which the award was requested. In other words, too much
time had passed since the incident. Since he wasn't submitted for an
award then, he couldn't be submitted now. THAT HAS NOW CHANGED!
        The appropriations bill signed by President Clinton four weeks
ago contained a change in the criteria for awards and decorations for
Vietnam veterans! The verbage in the bill included:
"Findings- (2) Accounts of those battles that have been published since
the end of that conflict authoritatively document numerous and repeated
acts of extraordinary heroism, sacrifice, and bravery on the part of
members of the Armed Forces, many of which have never been officially
recognized." and
"(5) Subsequent requests to the Secretaries of the military departments
for review of award recommendations for such acts have been denied
because of restrictions in law and regulations that require timely
filing of such recommendations and documented justification." *AND*
"(b) WAIVER OF TIME LIMITATIONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AWARDS.--(1) Any
decoration covered by paragraph (2) may be awarded, without regard to
any time limit imposed by law or regulation......."
        In short, if any Congressman or Senator requests the Service's
investigate to determine if an award is justified, the Service involved
*MUST* investigate and make the award if it is justified.
        If ANY Congressman or Senator asks the Secretary of the Navy to
investigate to determine if Carlos Hathcock deserves the Medal of Honor
for his actions, the Secretary of the Navy MUST begin an investigation.
If the investigation determines Carlos deserves the Medal of Honor, he
will be recommended by the Navy, and Congress will almost certainly
approve it; since many Congressmen and Senators have already voiced
support for him.
        If all 100 Senators and all 435 Congressmen ask for an
investigation, the message will be heard loud and clear: "THE
AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT THE BRAVERY AND SELF SACRIFICE OF CARLOS HATHCOCK
RECOGNIZED."
        If you believe as I do -that Carlos Hathcock deserves the Medal
of Honor- then please contact both of your Senators, and your
Congressman as soon as possible. Tell them:
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        "Please ask the Secretary of the Navy to investigate to
        determine if the actions of Carlos N. Hathcock II, on September
        16, 1969, while engaged in combat with enemy forces in the
        Republic of Vietnam, meet the criteria for award of the
        Congressional Medal of Honor. I believe his actions on that day
        merit this award; and I am confident that you will feel the same
        way when you learn the full story of his heroism and sacrifice."
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        Should your Congressman or Senators not be familiar with the
circumstances of September 16, 1969; fax or mail them the below extract
from the book "Marine Sniper" by Charles Henderson.
        If we all act NOW, the courage of Carlos Hathcock WILL be
recognized at long last. It is now or never. Carlos is in ill health,
and can't wait forever. Please don't let his bravery go unrecognized
any longer. I have spoken to two of the men who were on the amtrac that
fateful day. They both believe Carlos deserves the Medal of Honor, and
that he saved their lives. BTW: A request for award of the Congressional
Medal of Honor to Carlos is at this moment making it's way up the Marine
Corps chain of command. Public and Congressional support will ensure it
is given fair consideration. Thanks to all who support Carlos in his
hour of need; as he once supported us all. Ernie P.
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As quoted by Charles Henderson in 'Marine Sniper':
        Fifty startled Marines scrambled for cover as gunfire erupted
from the nearby trees.  They saw a forty-foot high column of fire rise
from the amtrac on which Hathcock and the seven other Marines had
ridden. It filled the air with an acrid pall of billowy, black  smoke.
        Beneath that smoke, between the flames, Hathcock opened his eyes
and saw nothing but blackness and fire.  Something heavy pinned his
legs. He felt the hair on his neck, his eyebrows, and the top of his
head singe and curl. Panic suddenly flashed through his mind and sent
his heart pounding. "I'm gonna die!" He had to run.  He had to get away.
        Hathcock reached for the dead weight that pinned his legs and
saw that it was the body of the lieutenant who had spoken to him only
seconds earlier. He was already on fire.
        "Save him! Got to save him!" Hathcock suddenly thought. And
without thinking of his own life, he took the young officer by his
flaming clothes and hurled him off the side of the burning vehicle. As
he looked at the tangled bodies of the other Marines, who had been whole
and well only a second ago, he saw their slow, groggy motion among the
flames and instinctively began hurling them off too.
        He didn't notice when he threw Corporal Perry clear of the
inferno.  All the Marines were equally important to him; brother Marines
who would otherwise die.  He grabbed them randomly and tossed.  Privates
First Class Roberto Barrera, Lawrence Head, Keith Spencer, and Thurman
Trussell, and Lance Corporal Earl Thibodeaux.
        He himself was on fire. His trousers were burning, his chest and
arms and neck were burning.  And as another explosion rumbled beneath
his feet and fire belched skyward through the torn and bent hulk that
seconds ago was an amtrac, Hathcock blindly jumped through the wall of
flames.  He had no idea what awaited him on the other side of that fiery
curtain.
        Hathcock struggled to his feet from the gravel where he fell.
He did not hear the clatter of machine-gun fire or the explosions of
grenades.  He saw the fire towering over him and could only hope to get
away from that burning trap before it killed him.
        Inside his head he kept asking himself, "Why do I feel wet, I'm
weighted down like I'm soaked.  Why?"
        Hathcock staggered away from the blazing amtrac, holding his
arms straight out from his sides.  He knew he was hurt, but it was when
he looked down at his arms that he realized his injury was beyond
anything he had imagined. Skin hung down from his arms like bat wings,
ragged and black, as though draped with moss six to eight inches in
length.  His heart sank as he stopped and sat on the side of the road.
"Will I live?" he asked himself.
        "Roll him!" two frantic voices cried.  "Quick! Roll him into the
water!" Hathcock didn't know that his clothes still burned, and the
bandoleer of ammo draped over his shoulder and the six hand grenades
that still hung on his cartridge belt were quite forgotten by him.
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                               SEMPER FI
___
 X SLMR 2.1a X I was born free; I WILL die free.
--- Maximus/2 2.02
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