The coolest thing ever

[Knucklehead]

My mother works is a nurse at a local hospital. One of her recent patients was Gen. Robert J. LeBlanc. He served in the OSS in WW2 on a Jedburgh team. My mother told him about my desicion to enlist and my SF desires. He then proceded to give my mother a signed copy of his book which was then given to me. The next day, I was visiting my mother at work and got to meet him. It was the most amazing experience I had ever had. We talked for hours. I was ordered by the General to pass Special Forces selection and to write him when I did. Best. Day. Ever.

[stickey]

Originally Posted by Knucklehead

My mother works is a nurse at a local hospital. One of her recent patients was Gen. Robert J. LeBlanc. He served in the OSS in WW2 on a Jedburgh team. My mother told him about my desicion to enlist and my SF desires. He then proceded to give my mother a signed copy of his book which was then given to me. The next day, I was visiting my mother at work and got to meet him. It was the most amazing experience I had ever had. We talked for hours. I was ordered by the General to pass Special Forces selection and to write him when I did. Best. Day. Ever.

So much for patient privacy!!! jk. Best follow orders.

[Knucklehead]

LOL. Just to clarify, he had requested to meet me and it was cleared by his doc. And as far as following his orders, you bet your ass I won't dissapoint.

[Gypsy]

What a great honor for you! Don't disappoint him now.

[Knucklehead]

Originally Posted by Gypsy

What a great honor for you! Don't disappoint him now.

I sure won't

[Utah Bob]

Congratulations. That is indeed a cool thing. We all owe Gen LeBlanc, Wild Bill Donovan and others a great debt for what they did. Without guys like him and the 1st Special Service Force we might all have been legs.

[frostfire]

that must've been cool indeed.

I took care one or two retired SF folks when I was in nursing school. Hip/knee replacement was the major reason they were in the ortho floor. One of them was an 18D, and I felt really dumbfounded and awkward informing him about hydration and the amber liquid in the urinal. Sure was humbling to see the price paid.

[Scimitar]

KH,

That must have been one interesting conversation.

S

[Knucklehead]

It was. We talked about everything from his training to my pregnant wife, to world events and sports. T'was amazing. I'll remeber it till I die.

[incarcerated]

You have my sincere envy.

Good luck, man!

[Razor]

A bit of background on the General:

http://www.louisianacattlefestival.o...%20LeBlanc.htm

BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT JOSEPH LEBLANC

Born: Vermilion Parish, Louisiana 6 November 1921

Schools: Louisiana State University, 1938 - 1942;
Adjutant General School, Censorship Course, 1943;
Infantry Officer Basic Course, 1943;
Office of Strategic Services-Intelligence School, 1943;
Special Operations, 1944;
Infantry Officers Advanced Course, 1951;
Command and General Staff College, Regular Course 1956;
Officers Advanced Course, Refresher, 1957, 1961, 1963, 1965;
Senior Officer Advanced Operations Course, 1962;
Senior Officer Preventive Maintenance Course, 1962;
CPR Weapons Course, 1962;
Combat Surveillance and Target Acquisition Course, 1964;
Senior Field Artillery Officer Refresher Course, 1966;
Engineer School, Disaster Recovery Course, 1966;
National War College, Defense Strategy Seminar 1966-67, 1969;
National War College, Moderator 1967 & 1969
Senior Officer Civil Disturbance Orientation Course, 1968;
Engineer Officer Orientation, 1968;
Civil Defense Staff College, 1968, 1971; Emergency Management
Infantry Staff Officer Refresher Course, 1969;
Army War College, Senior Reserve Component Officer Course, 1970.
University California Los Angeles- Advanced Postal Management
University California, Los Angeles- General Management
Postal Service - Customer Services
Industrial Relations
Employee and Labor Relations
Analytical Statistical Management

General Robert J. LeBlanc was born in the 1st Ward of Vermilion Parish, La., son of Edward J. LeBlanc and Neda Comeaux. He was educated in the Vermilion Parish Public school system and graduated at Abbeville High School in 1938 where he lettered in Boxing, Football and Swimming. He was selected Best All Round Boy in the Senior Class of 1938. He enlisted in the Citizen's Military Training Corps in 1937 at Camp Beauregard, La., and attended three summer camps in 1937, 1938 and 1939. In 1939 he served as a Trainee Company Commander. He attended Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and majored in Geology and Mathematics, as well as participated in ROTC from 1938 to 1942. While an ROTC cadet he was on the LSU Firing Squad and also a Charter Member of the Pershing Rifle Company. While at LSU he was the Assistant Manager of the Photo Department at Stroube’s Drug Store in Baton, Rouge, La. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 18 May 1942. He was called to active duty on 17 July 1942. He served as Platoon Leader and Company Commander in the Infantry Basic Training Center, Fort McClellan, Alabama. In 1943, he volunteered for duty with the Office of Strategic Services, (OSS). He served in 3rd U.S. Army, Headquarters, SO, Special Forces Detachment # 11 as a Special Operations liaison officer between Patton’s Army and the French Underground. He served with the VIII and XII Corps as well as with the Fourth Army Division attached to the United States Third Army in France. In 1944, he was transferred to the China-Burma Theater where he served as a Special Operations Officer with the OSS Detachment, Kunning, China. He was released from active duty in December 1945.

After World War II, General LeBanc joined the Louisiana National Guard and organized Company H, 156th Infantry in Abbeville Louisiana. He negotiated a lease for five acres of property on Airport Grounds for 99 yrs at one dollar a year with the City of Abbeville, upon which the state built first a Gun Shed which was used as an Armory, and later; an Armory and Vehicle Shop were built. After Hurricane Audrey, he was asked to take over the operations of the Civil Defense Office to restore the damages to Vermilion Parish. He supervised the reconstruction of Pecan Island, Forked Island and the Henry Boston Area. He completed this with all expenditures being properly documented to the Federal Government. Six months later, he returned to the Post Office and remained a Part Time Director of Office of Emergency Preparedness, effectively handling a number of hurricanes and emergencies in Vermilion Parish as well as various duties in Emergencies for the State of Louisiana, including the Bogalusa Civil Disturbance in March 1969 in which he served as Commander, 1st Brigade, 39th Division, LANG, successfully protecting the Marchers without serious injury. Members of the National Press indicated that it was the best planned military effort they had seen. His Parish Emergency Operations Plan and Implementation, with specific note of the Special Need Population Plan, was a model for the State of Louisiana. During Hurricane Lili, he again demonstrated his administrative abilities in successfully evacuating the Parish with no one hurt or killed. He applied his extensive knowledge of Emergency Operations to assure that people were housed, fed, and provided all possible assistance. His knowledge of FEMA policies and procedures enabled the Parish Governments to obtain over seven and one-half Million Dollars in Federal Aid. During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita of 2005, he again demonstrated his talents in Emergency Operations. Vermilion Parish again was struck by a severe tidal surge. With outstanding planning and implementation, supervision, and leadership, no fatalities or injuries occurred in Vermilion Parish. His knowledge of problems with the Special Needs population was handled in a way that all nursing homes and hospitals were safely and efficiently evacuated. As an employee of the Police Jury, he prepared an Organization Plan, Job Description and Pay Plan which was implemented by them.

He was promoted to Colonel in 1960, at which time he became the Deputy Brigade Commander, 39th Infantry Division. With his position in the Guards he was instrumental in the location of a Battle Group Headquarters which later became a Battalion Headquarters in Abbeville, and a Brigade Headquarters for Lafayette. As a Battalion and Brigade Commanded he was instrumental in the successful conduct of Platoon, Company and Battalion Army Training Test. In 1963 upon reorganization of the Division, he assumed command of the 1st Brigade, 39th Infantry Division. In December 1967, he assumed command of Emergency Operations Headquarters, Louisiana Army National Guard. He was promoted to Brigadier General of the Line on 1 December 1967. On 19 November 1968, he assumed command of the 256th Infantry Brigade (Separate). This Brigade was noted as being one of the highest rated Brigades in the Army National Guard. He was assigned as Director, Emergency Operations on 1 March 1972 and Commanding General, Louisiana Army National Guard Command, New Orleans , Louisiana on 9 May 1972, where he commanded all the Army National Guard Units.

Decorations and Awards: Legion of Merit, American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three battle stars; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one battle star; World War II Victory medal; Korean Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Expert Badge, M-1, M-14 Rifle, Expert Badge, US Carbine, Expert Pistol, 45 & 32 Caliber, Army Expert Infantryman Badge; Republic of China Service Medal, Louisiana Distinguished Service Medal, Louisiana Cross of Merit; Louisiana Emergency Service Medal with 3 Fleur de Lis; Louisiana Longevity Medal; Louisiana Longevity Ribbon with Fleur de Lis.

General LeBlanc is married to Helen Della LaPlace, daughter of Paul LaPlace and Della Delino. They have three (3) children, seven (7) Grandchildren, and nine (9) Great Grandchildren.

Looks like he may be missing an award he would have earned during his OSS time.