Michael Conley Special Forces / Green Beret Liar and Fraud

[Team Sergeant]

Michael Conley Special Forces / Green Beret Liar and Fraud

Michael Conley of Canton Georgia, and Lawrence County / Bedford Indiana

This guy is extremely amusing. Was in the Army 42 years.....I don't think you can be in the Army 42 years as an SFC. (But he claims he was an E-8, 1SGT)

Claims he was a "Green Beret" but there's no records of him taking any courses at the USAJFKIMA (now SWC). He's never been to the Special Forces Qualification course.

SFC Conley also boasts of not one but two Silver Stars, 2x Bronze Star with V device, 2x CIB's etc

In Vietnam Michael Conley was a "Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic" but if you look at his records "someone" lined out "Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic" and replaced it with "Riflemen". I didn't realize there was a school for "Riflemen" in the Army, stupid me thought it was "infantrymen".

After winning the war in Vietnam Michael Conley returned to his normal MOS of "Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic". Good thing too as he was never trained an infantrymen before he went to war. (Only training he had up to that point was basic airborne school and auto repairman school.

Michael Conley also claimed he was present and fought to the death at the battles of:

BATTLE OF HAMBURGER HILL 10MAY69 – 20MAY69
BATTLE OF BLOODY RIDGE MARCH-APRIL 1969

As per his DD-214, his service in Vietnam was listed as follows:
EFFECTIVE DATE DUTY MOS PRINCIPAL DUTY ORGANIZATION AND STATION OR THEATER
10OCT67 63B2P* Whl Veh Mch* HHC 2ND BN (ABN) 506th INF FT CAMPBELL,KY (UNIT PCS)

XXDEC67 63B2P* Whl Veh Mch* HHC 2ND BN (ABN) 506th INF USARPAC RVN

25JUL68 63B2P* Whl Veh Mch* CO A 2ND BN (ABN) 506th INF USARPAC

26NOV68 -------- Casual ENROUTE TO CONUS

*NOTE: On his DD-214, RECORD OF ASSIGNMENTS, his “DUTY MOS” & “PRINCIPAL DUTY” are single lined-out with typed dashes. His “PRINCIPLE DUTY” is changed from “63B2P“ & “Whl Veh Mch” (Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic) to “Rifleman” as shown below


BATTLE OF BLOODY RIDGE CLAIM (Battle of Dong A Tay)
EXERPT FROM CHEROKEE TIMES.COM ARTICLE DATED 16SEP14
LINK: http://www.cherokeetribune.com/view/full_story/25788437/article-Canton-man-nominated-for-Ranger-Hall-of-Fame-after-42-year-service

CLAIM MADE AS PER ARTICLE:

"In 1968, he won a Bronze Medal for saving another life during what was called the “Battle on Bloody Ridge.”"



FACT: The Battle of Bloody Ridge (Battle of Dong A Tay) started in MARCH 1969 and lasted for approximately 33 days.

FACT: Mr. Conley had already been INCONUS for approximately 5 MONTHS by the time this battle took place as per his DD-214 RECORD OF ASSIGNMENTS.

CONCLUSION: Mr. Conley could not have taken part in this battle due to conflicting dates. (*SEE NOTE)

*NOTE: As seen below on the continuation of his RECORD OF ASSIGNMENTS, Mr. Conley was back at Ft. Bragg, NC with CO A, 47th Engr Bn (Cbt Abn) and had returned to his principal MOS duty of “Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic” or 63B2P on 17JAN69. 3 days later on 20JAN69, his Principal Duty was changed to “Tractor Operator” with the same unit.




BATTLE OF HAMBURGER HILL CLAIM (Battle of Dong Ap Bia/Hill 937)
EXERPT FROM LEDGER-NEWS.COM ARTICLE DATED 14NOV11
LINK: http://www.ledgernews.com/cherokee_life/from-vietnam-to-iraq-canton-man-recounts-his-years-with/article_5c64816a-3169-5c02-95a2-925ffa296ca8.html

CLAIM(S) MADE AS PER ARTICLE:

In the first year, he was involved in the Battle of Hamburger Hill, and later, the Tet Offensive. (http://www.ledgernews.com/cherokee_life/from-vietnam-to-iraq-canton-man-recounts-his-years-with/article_5c64816a-3169-5c02-95a2-925ffa296ca8.html)


LATER IN THE SAME ARTICLE:

Once afraid of fighting, loud noises and dying, after Hamburger Hill, Conley became calm and collected in the battle zone.

“I don’t know why it happened. I don’t know how it happened,” he said. “I’ve talked to psychiatrists about it, been told different things. I don’t know anything about music, but I felt like I was just a little guy up there with the sticks in my hand, just bringing it up and slowing it down.

FACT: The Battle of Hamburger Hill (Battle of Dong Ap Bia/Hill 937) was fought from 10MAY69 – 20MAY69. The Tet Offensive started on 30JAN68.

FACT: The 3rd Phase of the Tet Offensive ended on 23SEP68, 8 MONTHS prior to the Battle of Hamburger Hill (Battle of Dong Ap Bia/Hill 937).

FACT: Mr. Conley had already been INCONUS for approximately 8 MONTHS by the time this battle took place as per his DD-214 RECORD OF ASSIGNMENTS.

CONCLUSION: Mr. Conley could not have taken part in this battle due to conflicting dates.

*NOTE: As seen below on the continuation of his RECORD OF ASSIGNMENTS, Mr. Conley was back at Ft. Bragg, NC with CO A, 47th Engr Bn (Cbt Abn) and had returned to his principal MOS duty of “Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic” or 63B2P on 17JAN69. 3 days later on 20JAN69, his Principal Duty was changed to “Tractor Operator”.




OVERALL CONCLUSION
Mr. Conley WAS NOT physically present in the Republic of Vietnam during either battle as evidenced by his Form DD-214 RECORD OF ASSIGNMENTS cross-referenced to the actual recorded and verified dates of both battles.

Ouch..... Michael Conley you're a bad liar and a fraud.

When asked about his Bronze Star's with V Device and 2x Silver Stars Michael Conley said he can't find them or the citations. Funny, I and a few other's cannot find any trace of them either......

As for his 2x CIB's, I'm not sure how a "Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic" with zero infantry training earns a CIB in Vietnam.
Michael Conley can you say "salting your records"..... it means you changed your records to "attempt" to reflect your legendary deeds. But as you can see they don't stand up under scrutiny.
Guess who is the guest speaker for the Lawrence County Vietnam veterans on May 9th in Bedford Indiana ? Green Beret, BATTLE OF HAMBURGER HILL, BATTLE OF BLOODY RIDGE Special Forces and 2x Silver Star recipient, First Sergeant Michael Conley!!!

I spoke with Terry Sorrells concerning the lying fraud Michael Conley and was also told by Mr Sorrells that he would get me Michael Conley's contact info so I could ask him some pointy "Green Beret" questions. Didn't happen. At the time I was not aware that Terry Sorrells and Michael Conley were BFF's.

At the time of this posting the go ahead has been given to Michael Conley to continue to be the "guest speaker" at the May 9th event.

I've also spoken with the local VFW Post 1686 Bedford IN, concerning Michael Conley and I've got no idea what they are going to do. I guess we wait and see.


Terry Sorrells Joins Lawrence County Veterans Affairs Office
Updated March 11, 2015 5:34 AM | Filed under: Politics


http://www.wbiw.com/local/archive/2015/03/terry-sorrells-joins-lawrence-county-veterans-affairs-office.php


Sorrells is a retired military police officer and served as a Lawrence County commander and detective in the 1970s. He served 10 years with the department.
"His special expertise in developing a case for the police department and prosecutors will help when developing a case for a veteran to receive their benefits," said Lawrence County Veteran
Affairs Director Brad Bough.

Sorrells also updated the commissioners on the Welcome Home event scheduled for May 9th for Lawrence County Vietnam veterans.
The guest speaker will be First Sergeant Michael Conley, who served more than 42 years in the U.S. Army. He is also a Huron native.

"Conley is probably the most decorated Vietnam veteran in Lawrence County, earning two bronze and two silver stars and a purple heart," Sorrells says. "He also was in the U.S. Army Special Forces and a Mountain Ranger and was inducted into the Mountain Ranger Hall of Fame."



Bet you all didn't know this, Conley helped stand up Delta Force!!!!!!




"First Sgt. Conley would later become an Army Ranger instructor at the Army Training Center in Dahlonega, where he helped formulate what would later become Black Ops, or otherwise known as Delta Force." If it's in the ledgernews.com new it has to be true.

http://www.ledgernews.com/cherokee_life/from-vietnam-to-iraq-canton-man-recounts-his-years-with/article_5c64816a-3169-5c02-95a2-925ffa296ca8.html

[sinjefe]

God, what a tool!

[Pete]

Michael Conley, you are one big pile of shit!

[PRB]

You'd think a guy that actually served in uniform would realize he's walking on the graves of those that earned the Regiments reputation.
You'd think.

[JJ_BPK]

Scum-bag POSER..

I will relay to the original requester..

Thanks TS

[The Reaper]

You'd think a guy that actually served in uniform would realize he's walking on the graves of those that earned the Regiments reputation.
You'd think.

Pat, I wonder if many of these people are not sociopaths and don't care what effect their behavior has on others.

TR

[Ranger50]

Conley is still creating stories about himself and enlisting folks to perpetuate his lies. His latest is a retired high school English teacher and a state legislator from Kennesaw. See http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/26496953/article-American--soldier--friend-and-a-Georgian-to-be-proud-of?
I am checking with North Georgia College to see if he has a master's in physics and chemistry from that school. Probably another fabrication.
His alleged nomination to the Ranger Hall of Fame by the Mountain Ranger Association has been denied by the chairman of that association.
Conley should seek some help from a psychiatrist. He is one sick puppy.

[Team Sergeant]

You'd think a guy that actually served in uniform would realize he's walking on the graves of those that earned the Regiments reputation.
You'd think.

Terry Sorrells and the Lawrence County Veterans Affairs Office would disagree with you. Terry Sorrells says his BFF Michael Conley has "earned" the right to speak at the Lawrence County Vietnam Veterans gathering in Bedford Indiana on May 9th.

This is after Terry Sorrells told me on the phone that he also could not understand how and why Michael Conley could not find any paperwork regarding his Silver Stars, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and 2x CIB's. Funny, we could not find any paperwork either. What I did find was someone that altered the bottom feeding scumbags records and I wonder who that might have been.....

[PRB]

TS....any emails or phonecons need doing just sent the numers/addresses.
I sent one to a paper prior to this posting but no response.

[Team Sergeant]

TS....any emails or phonecons need doing just sent the numers/addresses.
I sent one to a paper prior to this posting but no response.

I seriously doubt that you're going to receive a response either. Bedford Indiana is a small town out in the middle of no-where. I'm sure they are very proud of their Green Beret liar and fraud and do not wish anyone raining on their parade. I also know for a fact that military frauds like Michael Conley do very well in small towns, no one has the balls to question his claims.

That's why I do this, expose the bottom feeding liars for what they are scumbags. Only a real stupid scumbag would line out "Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic" and "attempt" to replace it with "Rifleman". And only a real bottom feeder would tell the world he fought at Hamburger Hill while he was actually eating Dairy Queen in the United States at the time.

I already attempted to obtain Michael Conley's contact information from Terry Sorrells, no joy. I was told by Terry Sorrells that he would give my contact information to Michael Conley and even if he did Michael Conley is not man enough to speak with me.

So this is it for Michael Conley, Green Beret, Special Forces Liar & Fraud from Canton Georgia, and Lawrence County / Bedford Indiana. Your name will live on the internet for all of eternity as nothing more than a bottom-feeding scumbag. Enjoy your fame, you've earned it.

[Ranger50]

Conley lives at Canton GA 30115-2744.
Folks might be interested in his book, Not Alone just released. I submitted a review on Amazon. This loser continues his myth.

[Team Sergeant]

Conley lives at Canton GA 30115-2744.
Folks might be interested in his book, Not Alone just released. I submitted a review on Amazon. This loser continues his myth.

Yeah, he's not "alone" there are thousands of military frauds in the USA.

I do love the 42 years of active duty.......:rolleyes:

I know dozens of E-7's that served 42 years.....:rolleyes:

Michael Conley not only a Special Forces / Green Beret Liar and Fraud but a pathetic loser.

[Ambush Master]

Is there a Link to his 214?

[Ranger50]

Team Sergeant posted info from his DD214 but no link.

[PRB]

Conley lives at Canton GA 30115-2744.
Folks might be interested in his book, Not Alone just released. I submitted a review on Amazon. This loser continues his myth.

Can't find his book on Amazon....

[Team Sergeant]

Can't find his book on Amazon....

I highlighted my fav part........ I really enjoy the fact he leads off with his biggest lie "a Green Beret", he totally left out his real MOS and title, "Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic"...

To Joe Public reading this, no E-7 serves 42 years.......and this liar and fraud "retired" as an E-7, not E-8/1SGT


http://www.amazon.com/Not-Alone-Michael-J-Conley/dp/1940395712


This is a true story and after 42 years of Military History it encompasses much of my life as a soldier, a Green Beret, a Ranger and a Ranger Instructor. I have served as a team leader, a squad leader, a platoon Sargent, a Field First Sergeant in Iraq and served as the Senior Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in the Republic of Georgia and as First Sergeant and a NCOIC of a Mitt team in Iraq. I must surely tell the truth that all of my dreams have come true and some way on beyond what I could ever have hoped for.

[Team Sergeant]

Wow, this fraud has been in the news more times than any soldier I know!!! This "story" is ten years old.

"Conley has been trained as a Green Beret and is a desert warfare specialist"

And in this "story he even has "his own command".... damn good for a 56 year old, E-6 Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic!!!!!!..... (Funny no mention of Conley ever attending any "Green Beret" training, must be black ops classified Ultra-Oakley or something)


03.01.05 Soldier's story

Mike Lewis
March 1, 2005, last update: 12/31 @ 7:00 pm


Times-Mail Managing Editor

BEDFORD - Thanks to the American Red Cross, a soldier bound for Iraq got to visit his sick aunt and mother in Bedford.

Michael Conley, a 1966 graduate of Mitchell High School, is a science teacher and basketball coach in civilian life, working in Georgia. He's tasted some success. In 2002-2003, his Brandon Hall High School squad went 28-0 and won Georgia's Class AA state title.

A few weeks later, he was called into full-time duty with the Georgia National Guard.

"I've been on active duty since then," he said in a telephone interview from Bedford Regional Medical Center Monday.

Conley is a field first sergeant in the Guard. His mother, Laura Boone, 76, and his aunt, Alice Carter, 88, live in neighboring homes in Bedford.

"There's only about 12 feet between the houses," Conley said with a laugh.

But now both his aunt and his mother are ill. And that's where the American Red Cross steps in.

"I was able to get home because of Donna Eubank and the Red Cross here in Bedford," Conley said.

When people in the military face family emergencies, the Red Cross sends information to the commanding officer, who can send the soldier home.

"It's a 24/7 service for the Red Cross, anywhere in the world," said Betsy Henley of Bedford, the volunteer caseworker who handled Conley's paperwork.

"We have six volunteer caseworkers at the moment," Henley said. "We'd like to have more."

In Conley's case, he was able to come home for the weekend to visit Carter in the hospital. On Monday he was to meet with the physician handling his mother's heart condition.

It was a different world from where he had been, training for deployment to Iraq within 30 to 45 days.

Conley has been trained as a Green Beret and is a desert warfare specialist. His service has taken him to far-flung conflicts from Vietnam to Bosnia.

Now, at age 56, he has a command and is preparing troops for what they might face in Iraq.

"I've got my own command now, and they're good," he said. "My boys are good.

"I'm in charge of a company of 116 enlisted men and five officers. I'm in charge of all their training, their field training."

Getting back to those troops was also on the sergeant's mind as he visited with his aunt in the hospital Monday. He had planned his trip so he could have the longest possible stay with his family. That meant he faced a long drive back to the training station in Georgia starting this morning.

"I'm about 800 miles from Fort Stewart," he said.

Times-Mail Managing Editor Mike Lewis can be reached at 277-7258 or at mikel@tmnews.com.

http://ww.tmnews.com/stories/2005/03/01/archive.453898.tms

[Team Sergeant]

The real story is that SFC Michael Conley presented his own nomination paperwork and was turned down by the U.S. Mountain Ranger Association. And I got that tidbit from the Chairman of the U.S. Mountain Ranger Association. Oh and there is no U.S. Mountain Ranger Association Hall of Fame........

This just gets better and better.




Canton man nominated for Ranger Hall of Fame after 42-year service
by Michelle Babcock
September 16, 2014 07:20 PM

After more than 40 years of military service, Canton resident and retired 1st Sgt. Michael Conley said he’s honored to be nominated for the U.S. Mountain Ranger Hall of Fame.


Read more: Cherokee Tribune - Canton man nominated for Ranger Hall of Fame after 42 year service


http://www.cherokeetribune.com/view/full_story/25788437/article-Canton-man-nominated-for-Ranger-Hall-of-Fame-after-42-year-service

[CSB]

Couldn't help but notice that in the extracts of his records posted above, in
the upper right part (Awards and Decorations), you will find two
entries for the Special Forces Tab, two entries for the Ranger Tab, and two
entries for the Pathfinder Badge.

Obviously a poser.

Everyone knows that with the second award he would have received an oak
leaf cluster.

So his records would simply read:

Special Forces Tab, with OLC;
Ranger Tab, with OLC;
Pathfinder Badge, with OLC

[Last hard class]

http://www.amazon.com/Not-Alone-Michael-J-Conley/dp/1940395712


This is a true story and after 42 years of Military History it encompasses much of my life as a soldier, a Green Beret, a Ranger and a Ranger Instructor. I have served as a team leader, a squad leader, a platoon Sargent, a Field First Sergeant in Iraq and served as the Senior Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in the Republic of Georgia and as First Sergeant and a NCOIC of a Mitt team in Iraq. I must surely tell the truth that all of my dreams have come true and some way on beyond what I could ever have hoped for.

Those are some fine reviews gentlemen. :D
Sure to be a best seller.


LHC

[Team Sergeant]

3x CIB, Green Beret Legend Michael Conley doubles down on lies and fraud

Conley refused to discuss his fraud medals and war claims with the news media. Terry Sorrells and Brad Bough of the Lawrence County Veterans Affairs Office had plenty to say, but too bad it was all wrong and neither of them have a clue what they're talking about.

And idiot Brad Bough is running for mayor of Bedford, Indiana a fine choice I'm sure. His defense of a complete fraud and his admonishment of a real veteran should come in handy for a possible future politician. Yeah Brad Bough, I spoke with the veteran that tried to tell you Conley was a fraud but all you did was call the veteran names and question his service to his country. Quality traits for a up and coming politician.

Good luck Bedford Indiana, you'll need it if you elect the idiot Brad Bough as mayor. Oh and hey Brad, if you want to question my service, medals or war claims just let me know. I (unlike fraud Michael Conley) would be happy to go over every medal and claim in detail and in public.

This Ain't Hell has the newest article on Conley and the idiots that support him......

http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=59884

[Team Sergeant]

Now we know why the Bedford Times-Mail didn't write about Conley's "self nomination" for the Ranger Hall of Fame. Roger Moon obviously didn't speak with the U.S. Mountain Ranger Association or he'd know there was no such nomination of Conley.......... as we now know it was all lies........ (I did contact the President of the U.S. Mountain Ranger Association and Conley's lies were confirmed)

Care to comment Mr. Moon or Times-Mail ?





Military service leads to prestigious nomination
By Roger Moon | Posted: Saturday, August 23, 2014 9:45 pm

Military service leads to prestigious nomination
Michael Conley

Former Mitchell resident First Sgt. Michael J. Conley described his nomination for the U.S. Army Mountain Ranger Hall of Fame as being “beyond my wildest dreams.”

He added, “I had never even thought about ever getting anything like this.”
“I feel more than anything that I have been humbled by the situation, for the men I’ve lost and the men I’ve worked with and have trained.”

Conley is one of five men who were chosen by the U.S. Mountain Ranger Association Nominating Committee. (One of the five died last week.) The final selection for the 2015 inductee into the hall of fame won’t be known until July 6.

Conley is the son of the late Robert H. Conley, who was a postal carrier in Bedford, and Laura Ellen Conley Boone, who lived in Lawrence County. Conley will be 66 in October. He is a graduate of Mitchell High School and returned to his hometown to ride in the Mitchell Persimmon Festival Parade with other veterans in 2008. At the time, he was less than a month away from retiring after having served in the Army for 42 years.

The hall of fame nominee boasts impressive military and civilian accomplishments that factored into his nomination. His resume and a list of his service-time medals are outlined in a summary prepared for Conley as part of the nomination process. Conley boasts a long list of connections to Lawrence County residents with military credentials.

cont: (behind a paywall)

http://www.tmnews.com/news/opinion/military-service-leads-to-prestigious-nomination/article_830f0ecb-914f-584a-90d6-5da8a9a216b4.html

[Richard]

What a macaroon.

Michael J. Conley is the author of Not Alone. This true :rolleyes: story encompasses much of his life as a soldier, a green beret, a ranger, and a ranger instructor. He has 42 years of military history. He has also served as a team leader, a squad leader, a platoon sergeant, a field first sergeant in Iraq, the Senior Operations Non-commissioned Officer in the Republic of Georgia, and a First Sergeant and a NCOIC of a Mitt Team in Iraq.

http://yawnspublishing.com/?page_id=2204

I guess he likes things in "2's" for that AR670-1 disaster of a uniform array - 2 x Tabs, 2 stars for CIB, 2 x SS, 2 x SM, 2 x BSM, 2 x ARCOM, 2 x skill badges... :rolleyes:

Con-ley ~~~ Kismet. ;)

Richard

[UWOA (RIP)]

What an idiot! Even the dumbest grunt that ever wore the uniform knows that the Ranger tab does not go over the CIB ....

I, with an Indiana State trooper, taught the Jackson County Water Rescue team (which includes Seymour) water rescue techniques back in the 80's. Apparently a lot has changed since then if nobody there can detect a bald-faced fraud ....

.

[Team Sergeant]

So while Michael Conley Special Forces / Green Beret Liar and Fraud has been out in his uniform lying to folks with a straight face the good people at NPRC went over his records with a fine tooth comb and we are now in possession of the results.

Silver Stars - Claims (2) but no documents of any sort.

CIB - Earned (2) but can't stop there and claims (3)

Soldiers Medal - He earned (1) but claims (2)

Bronze Star - Earned (1) but claims (2)

Purple Heart - Earned (1) but in one newspaper article claims (3)

Parachutist Badge - Record Shows "Parachutist" but he wears the Master Parachutist Badge

And absolutely no records of attending the Special Forces Qualification Course.


This is how you take a decent army career and throw it in the trash. This is also how you get arrested for falsifying government documents. I doubt anyone will waste their time on Conley, well, except his idiot friends Terry Sorrells and Lawrence County Veteran Affairs Director Brad Bough.

Michael J. Conley of Canton Georgia, and Lawrence County / Bedford Indiana you are a legend in your own mind.

[BuckiBill]

Someone that attended the 11th Grp reunion last week said this Conley showed up.
He said he was still making the same false claims.

[Team Sergeant]

More FAKE NEWS from Shannon Ballew and the Cherokee Tribune & Ledger News, 521 E Main Street Canton, GA.

Michael Conley a liar a fraud and a bottom-feeding scumbag.





Vietnam vet honors comrades
Shannon Ballew Nov 9, 2017



CANTON — Vietnam veteran Michael Conley could be called a hero, but he doesn’t see it that way. A Cherokee County resident, he says he is just an ordinary country man.

Conley, 68, who has served in the military with two tours of Vietnam in the 1960s among others and in various leadership roles, has been invited to be the guest speaker at the Canton Chili Cook-off in conjunction with the Veterans Day Parade on Saturday at 12 p.m. in Cannon Park.

His last deployment was to Iraq in 2005 at the age of 52. As a first sergeant, in addition to training the Iraqi army, his job was to bring his soldiers home safely, he said.

“Saving peoples’ lives and bringing children home became my job,” Conley said. “Bringing your loved ones home was my mission.”

Conley served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1969 before going to ranger school, where he was selected for the Merrill’s Marauders Award. He later served as a Special Forces Green Beret in the late ‘70s.

The veteran said he had extraordinary respect for those who served in the military during World War II.

“There are veterans of World War II who are still alive. Some are in hospitals, in Alzheimer’s or nursing homes. Their road in life is short. My road is getting narrow, but still bumpy. These guys need someone to stand in front of them who has been there, who did what they did during the war for our country, the Great War,” he said. “After these guys fought World War II, we’ve never won another war. They were the heroes.”

Originally from Indiana, the veteran’s military career brought him to Georgia, working in places including Fort Benning, where he liked the climate. After his service to his country, he tutored chemistry to undergraduates at Chattahoochee Technical College. He will return to Fort Benning Dec. 16 to speak to service men and women in training.

When he retired from the military in 2009, Conley received the Meritorious Service Medal for his leadership and service of more than 42 years.

“For over 40 years as leader in the army, [Conley] maintained his focus on the soldiers as the military’s most important asset. He set the example as a warrior before the conception to lead an army into the next century,” the award reads.

After his Vietnam tours, Conley struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. It can be difficult to know if a veteran is dealing with PTSD, he said.

“There are a lot of veterans walking around that will tell you, ‘There’s nothing wrong with me.’ But if a car backfires while he’s driving down the road, he’s likely to duck. He could live next door to a neighbor who has no idea what he’s been through, who thinks it’s funny to drive up his driveway and knock off nine or 10 rounds at a time,” Conley said. “Most of the veterans I know will go to the Veterans Day parade, but we probably will not go to Fourth of July. The Fourth of July, watch it on TV with the sound on mute. Your body can’t stand the noise.”

The veteran recalls a time he lost one of his soldiers in Iraq, and he comforted the man’s wife.

“A lady in Dalton beat me on the chest,” Conley said. “Her husband had suffered for nine years after touring Iraq, and he died. I had said, ‘I hope to bring them all home alive.’ But he had been in an explosion. I let her beat me, I let her cry on my chest. I put my arms around her. She could not cry tears any more than I did, except the boys never knew it.”

The retired first sergeant said that spouses and families sacrifice just as much as those who serve. Since retiring from Chattahoochee Tech, he plans to spend more time with his family.

“[I am] going to take care of the wife and the horse and the little doggy. I’m going to take a vacation or two to see the leaves fall, stop and smell the roses,” he said. “[My wife] doesn’t need to see me march off to wars any more, she needs to see me come through a door.”

Asked what he would like to see people do to support veterans, Conley said it’s simple: “You should do something nice every day.”

Conley continues to actively serve at Antioch Christian Church, where the congregation sent letters and care packages during his last tour. He also rides with the Patriot Guard Riders to the national cemetery to honor those who have given their lives in military service. He’s also a member of American Legion Post 45, which is holding the parade Saturday.


“We want to honor veterans for their many sacrifices and pray for peace,” Conley said.






http://www.tribuneledgernews.com/lifestyle/vietnam-vet-honors-comrades/article_7d744b5c-c58a-11e7-af57-7f6880c2f556.html