Most impessive person you've met?

[SC Pete]

Just a thought for you good folks on this site. Who have you known that really impressed you? I'll start:
I met an old ODA team-mate's father at a wedding. Sat at the same table as him at the reception. Quiet, reserved man. Chatted him up, and after a while he opened up. (It helped that I was military, and had relatives who were German WW2 vets). Turned out he entered the Luftwaffe in '38 as a glider pilot. As the war progressed, he flew ME 109s, FW 190s. Ended up in KG 400, flew the ME 163 Komet, (1 kill) trained in the piloted buzz-bomb (Feisler), shot down a bomber flying a Spitfire (Captured, yeah they did that), and ended the war in a Luft ground unit, almost whacked by a Russian sniper. He was such an unassuming man, told his stories in a reserved manner, self depreciating. Researched his back-round and found that not only was it true, he had held back on his history. Was an ace, with a handful of kills. And a really nice man.
Number 2 was a Special Forces legend Maj Larry Dring. (look it up). He lived near me in SC. Hearing his Viet Nam stories, I knew I had to go SF. He didn't smoke, drink, or swear. Could tell the funniest stories w/out alcohol or cussing. Died the day I left for basic. Really great man.

[Divemaster]

There are many. However, a couple of years ago I had the honor of attending Dick Cole's 100th birthday celebration in Dallas. He was Jimmy Doolittle's copilot, and the last surviving Doolittle Raider. He's still with us.

http://www.doolittleraider.com/raiders/cole.htm

[The Reaper]

Toss up between Bob Howard and Nick Rowe.

TR

[PSM]

Barry Goldwater would come to our station quite often when I worked in television in the '70s, and he was certainly an impressive guy, but I'd have to say Bob Hoover, WW2 fighter pilot and AF test pilot (wingman to Yeager when he broke the sound barrier). I was introduced to him at an air show in Mesa, AZ by Art Scholl (another impressive guy) and ran into him later at Zamperini Field, Torrance, AZ, years later. He was an amiable and, seemingly, humble guy. Died last year at 94! An Old and Bold pilot.

Pat

[Flagg]

I've met a bunch of CMOH and VC recipients at different times over beers, all a bunch of very interesting guys in their own ways.

I've met a bunch of A list politicians and celebrities by simply being at the right/wrong place at the time.

But the person who stands out the most is one I haven't thought of in probably 20 years, certainly not since I joined up.

Ensign George Gay.

The sole survivor of Torpedo Squadron 8 at the Battle of Midway.

I was only about 7-8 years old at the time at an annual air show with both Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. I think that was the only Year both teams flew at the same show. Incredibly exciting as a kid who was always going full retard on aviation.

I had not only just watched the movie Midway, but I had read everything I possibly could about the battle and I knew about Ensign Gay having a front row seat to the destruction of the Japanese carrier fleet.

Ensign Gay was sitting mostly by himself without many folks around, everyone else was preoccupied with the aircraft flying and ground displays.

I recall the open tent, table, chairs, and paraphernalia on the table with Ensign Gay sitting there and how he was dressed.

My family and I didn't hang around long, but Ensign Gay was very quiet spoken, he didn't really speak much at all. I just recall thinking he seemed very sad without showing it.

I haven't thought about that day for decades, but I think after having some experiences, I might now better understand what may have been going on that day.

[UWOA (RIP)]

He was my Team Sergeant; I was his XO. As a green 1LT I had a lot to learn and he served as a great example. He never spoke about his exploits and was (is) a very quiet man. Yet he had a commanding presence, all the other NCOs and our commander, (then) 1LT Miguel Rivera, and I knew what was important because he only spoke about the important things -- he was not afraid to delegate responsibility and he was inclusive of every member of the team; it truly was a team.

I think it was because of him that our team was selected for a very important assignment that had great impact on South American history.

I am happy to salute him whenever we meet!

A close second would be Major (ret) Leroy Mitchell who was my ODB (Company) commander. He was an officer on the team under Pappy Shelton who went to Bolivia and assisted in the capture of Che Guevara ....


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[Oldrotorhead]

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Toss up between Bob Howard and Nick Rowe.

TR

Nick Rowe was a lecturer for some E&E classes at Rucker when I was in flight school.
He is high on my list. Paul Howe is also high on my list. I knew a CWO named Tuttle that I think later went to work for the 160th SOAR some of the stories about him were epic.

[Penn]

The upper echelons of restaurant industry the client base is often well heeled and known, we have had the opportunity to meet and cook for then Present and future POTUS, Crown Princes, SOS, AMBS, etc, etc., but the most memorable circumstance occurred in a carnivorous NYC club Lot 61, located in the “Meat Market” district, established and owned by Amy Sacco at the time. (Amy was part of the group TS assembled to cook Thanksgiving Dinner 2011 C-JSOTF-A). We had a restaurant a few blocks from her place which we sometimes visited.

On one occasion while viewing Babylonesque scene, I noticed a gentleman in suit and tie sitting alone, observing the parade of high fashion glamour and glitter prancing by, it was Buzz Aldrin.

Apologizing on introducing myself for interrupting him, he offered me to join him, which I readily accepted, we talked about everything, when his party arrived 45 minutes later, he was kind enough to give me his card, taking the time to inscribe his personal POC info on the reverse, stating to call him should I find myself in LA, and that we could get reservation in any restaurant in town.

[SouthernDZ]

My first SGM when I signed into B-1-7th SFGA, SGM Les Chapman (his DSC was downgraded from an MOH). The C-1-7 SGM, Carlos Parker was mighty impressive too.

Not sure they make em that way anymore.

[sinjefe]

^^^^^Have to agree. Though he was my 1SG in 1/75 pre SF branch. He left to go back to SF when they branched. Awesome guy.

[twistedsquid]

The Admiral and I had a nice visit. The first American in space.

[(1VB)compforce]

I've had the honor of meeting quite a few impressive people... TS, SurgicalCric, COL Ola Mize (MOH), etc. The one that stuck with me was a long discussion I had with SGT Lee Brown. He was one of the Rangers that scaled Pont Du Hoc during D-Day. Hearing his story from him personally was pretty incredible. A photographer captured a picture of him right after getting off the plane(below) that went world-wide.

eta: Not sure why it won't take the picture, I tried a few times to upload.

[Basenshukai]

Billy Waugh

[Old Dog New Trick]

Col. Bank (twice) met him the first time at a graduation ceremony for a class before I started my journey in SF. His demeanor and character even at his elderly years and a simple inscription in his book (OSS to Green Berets) to me as a young aspiring Green Beret were (are) inspiring: "Never Give Up"

Met him again before his death, such an honor to have met the person responsible for who and what has followed his legacy.

[mark46th]

Served with quite a few of the old MACV SOG guys, Son Tay Raiders and others. All good soldiers, tough beyond words. All of 'em, We stand on the shoulders of giants.