Introductions III

[DaveBien]

Hi, my name is Dave and thanks to all for letting me into your forum. I found this site while starting a search on my late father-in-law’s WWII service. He never really spoke of it even to his 2 daughters beyond saying that he was a paratrooper and had jumped into Greece. This from a man who hated to climb ladders! He passed in the 70’s. Just recently while checking some of his military papers, sent by my sister-in-law, I discovered he had been in the OSS. Now in looking further I found that he served in Company C, 2671 Special Reconnaissance Battalion, Operational GroupVII, which was assigned to Greece. His name was TSgt. Peter M. Panagakos. From what I have read this OG is considered one of the forerunners of today’s Army Special Forces (please correct me if I’m wrong) and that the OSS in general is also considered a forerunner of the CIA on the intelligence gathering side of the house. I found that there is a statute with his name and others in that OG at the Greek Military HO in Athens and that there might be a plaque for the OGs in general at Ft. Bragg (can anyone confirm?). I also found that one of the reasons that so little was known about these OGs in Greece is that the records were declassified only in 1988. So to sum this part up, I’m looking for any help you folks can provide in my quest. In other words, where do I look? I’ve requested his military records thru my Congressman as a start along with my late father’s. He was a WWII Army Combat Engineer who landed a few days after D-Day and was among the first to cross the Rhine after his unit repaired the bridge. From whatever I can gather I hope to make cases to display the medals, badges, etc. My Dad was one of 13 in his family, 11 boys and 2 girls. Several of my uncles also served in combat in WWII and several of my cousins have also served. I even have ancestors that served in the Polish Army long ago. And several of my Polish relatives joined the Polish resistance in the war.

As far as I am concerned, I retired 3 years ago after serving just over 28 years as a police officer/detective/K-9 handler/weapons instructor in suburban Chicago. I served for 4 years active in the USAF as a Special Weapons Specialist and crewchief (Nuclear) 1969-1973. I also served for almost 8 years in the active reserve as Security Controller and fireteam leader in the now disbanded WSSF/Airbase Ground Defense unit. This was a part of the AF Security Police function (even got to wear a BLUE beret, lol) and I was a member of the first reserve unit to received that training. As an aside, when I was active I looked into Rararescue (PJs) and Combat Control Teams (CCT). Just one slight problem… I swim like a ROCK. Even after learning to scuba dive! So much for those ideas.

Thanks for reading this boring post. I and my family would be thankful for any help you folks can provide in those searches. Thanks again. PS: you guys are only slightly crazy for what you’ve done. LOL

Forgot to say, it looks like my wife and I need to head to Greece soon!!!! She now has a real good reason.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by DaveBien

.... I discovered he had been in the OSS. Now in looking further I found that he served in Company C, 2671 Special Reconnaissance Battalion, Operational GroupVII, which was assigned to Greece. His name was TSgt. Peter M. Panagakos....

Welcome all;

Dave check out the link and look up the group, they might have some information for you.


http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=274853

Pete

[DaveBien]

Thanks Pete. I'll have to get with the various assoc so the wife and I can hear about these events BEFORE they happen. I'm playing catch-up at this point. Thanks again.

[firefighter1984]

I have an 18x contract. Live in AZ. One of the guys in DESap recommended this site. Trying to absorb as much info as possible. Thanks.

[j-law]

Hi, I am J-Law currently stationed in Germany. I will be in the next class of SFAS coming up. I have been thinking about trying out since I joined the military. There is no time like the present.

[iminmi]

Hi all, figured I would reintroduce myself. I just graduated the SFQC as an 18E with Arabic. I will be going to 5th SFG(A), which I am very excited about. I am proud to have graduated with all the men in my class, some of the best people I have ever met.

[LongWire]

Welcome Guys

[dennisw]

Congradulations iminmi! Good luck in the future.

[jatx]

Originally Posted by DaveBien

Hi, my name is Dave and thanks to all for letting me into your forum. I found this site while starting a search on my late father-in-law’s WWII service.

Dave, if you haven't already, you might want to get in touch with the OSS Society, www.osssociety.org. They have a wealth of resources, as well as the knowledge to point you elsewhere when needed.

In the reading I've done on the OSS (which has become a hobby), the operations in Greece have received the least coverage. Congratulations on your proud heritage and please come back to share what you learn with us!

[jump6]

I've been searching and reading for a few weeks and figured it was time to introduce myself. First, though, I'd like to express my deepest thanks for everyone that participates in this site. I really can't do credit with words to the wealth of knowledge here and the motivation it provides. Indeed, figuring out what you don't know is the best place to start and with limited resources for the average Joe on SF, this site is indispensable.

I'm 34, and served in the Marines several years ago - my last name is Pyle, too - and after all this time, I realize the things I value the most. While the exception in the civilian world, these traits are the rule in the military. I'm off to MEPS this week for my return to service, this time in the Maryland NG.

While I am not putting SF on my contract, I will one day be a Quiet Professional. I've read Warrior-Mentor's book a few times and refer to it often as a training reference and injury prevention, but one of the most important parts of his book is the reference to Victor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning". Mr. Frankl describes the importance of knowing your unique purpose in life to the extent that he claims most who are diagnosed as mentally ill really are not - they just haven't found that unique purpose in life, and thus meaning. My SOF reading started with "Inside the Delta Force", extended to a few minor books on SF and other SOF units, to "R]oughneck 91" and presently "Masters of Chaos". I couldn't be more clearly committed to making Quiet Professionals my peers. That commitment starts with attending the 20th Group tryouts in April 08.

Thanks for the opportunity to be apart of this forum and I hope this intro wasn't overly long or wordy. If so (or even if not) I do expect some abuse on my last name...

[Kaibil68]

Good afternoon,

I'm Richard from Puerto Rico in NY and to say thanks for letting me join this website. I have fond memories from contacts with SF cadre while in ROTC and thru my years in the Army. I'm proud to have met people of your caliber, hope to find old faces here and learn a lot of course using search as my friend and ready for constructive criticism.

[zushwa]

My name is Josh and thank you for having one of the most informative and civilized forums on the net. I've been out of the Military for about 18 months and currently own a company mentioned here:

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...ad.php?t=15883

I don't plan on posting much because I like to stay in my lane but if there are any questions I can help with regarding training or equipment please feel free to ask.

Thanks again,

[Surgicalcric]

Josh,

Glad to have you here. Enjoy the stay.

Crip

[Razor]

Originally Posted by jump6

Mr. Frankl describes the importance of knowing your unique purpose in life to the extent that he claims most who are diagnosed as mentally ill really are not - they just haven't found that unique purpose in life, and thus meaning.

Or you can make your own purpose instead of searching for one, as an alternative.

[COM]

I am no one important, specially compared to all the experienced folks on this forum. I will just be a sponge sucking up all the great info, knowledge, thoughts, leads and opinions here. Won't post much if anything at all but I will probably email/PM some folks directly to ask for advice or input if I can not locate the answer to my question.

I am mainly interested in a more mental/data/anthro/language skills, "... know thy enemy..." or should I say "...know how to identify thy enemy...".
I speak several languages already and I am working on Arabic now. So, if you are ex-DLI or otherwise speak Arabic and want to share your knowledge a bit, I am here. If you need any info/help with it, I can help a little with the stuff I have gathered so far.
I am very interested in any books, websites etc. on Middle Eastern culture that you want to share. Audio books are a great invention if you can't spend a lot of time reading but are able to multitask!

Nice forum, so much info to take.