World War II vet retires after 65 years with Marines

[underpants]

Sgt. Maj. Walter Valentine, 89, served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam over three decades with the Marines and then spent another three decades helping comrades make a smooth transition into civilian life when they retire.

He was in the assault landing of Bougainville, now Papua New Guinea, in November 1943, then headed to Guadalcanal for more combat training. Later he participated in the assault landing that recaptured the island of Guam and fought in the battle of Iwo Jima, where he earned a Purple Heart.

Roughly 31 years after boot camp, Valentine retired from active duty at Camp Pendleton in 1973.

He enrolled at MiraCosta College and completed an associate degree in business administration and supervision on the GI Bill.

Valentine was back on base in 1980 as a civilian employee running retirement seminars for Marines and sailors and helping them find jobs.


http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/feb/26/pendleton-valentine-wwii-marine-retirement/

[Scuba]

1. "... then headed to Guadalcanal for more combat training."

There's some on-the-job training for you.

On edit: Thank you SgtMajor Valentine.

[edhopper]

3. Just for clarity

by 43 Guadalcanal was firmly in American hands, so it probably was training. But Guam and Iwo Jima, he certainly was in the big shit.

Yes, thank you Sgt, indeed.

[pinboy3niner]

2. Semper Fi, Marine!

From an Army Infantry VN vet.

[lpbk2713]

4. Still looking good at age 89.

Well done Marine. You've earned your rest.

[secondvariety]

5. That's amazing.

Thank you, Sgt. Valentine.

[SnowCritter]

6. Once a Marine, always a Marine!

Ooh-Rah, Sgt. Major!

[The Wizard]

7. Maybe MacArthur was correct

Old soldiers never die, they just fade away. Best wishes in retirement Sergeant.

[A Round Tuit]

8. Just an FYI...

From an old soldier (me), as a friendly info thing.
While he is, technically, a Sergeant, calling a Sergeant Major anything other than Sergeant Major, is a faux pas, the commission of which will be kindly pointed out to the one committing said faux pas, by the Sergeant Major.
Sergeant Majors rest at the top of the NCO food chain. They have worked and sacrificed incredibly much to get that star in the midst of those stripes. It did not/does not come easy.
And particularly in the Corps, since there are so few at that level. The competition is fierce and once attained, rest assured, he/she has earned the "Sergeant Major".
Privates quake at the mere sight of a Sergeant Major, to the point of stammering and stuttering and even running and hiding.
Sergeants just run and hide.
Shave-tail lieutenants fall on the ground and gasp for air.
Senior Captains and Majors seek them out for their sage advice and never fail to act upon it...General Officers will defer to them, for they know that when the Sergeant Major makes a comment, it is "E.F. Hutton" time.
And my tongue was in my cheek only a little bit.

[denbot]

9. Same thing with Master Chiefs

My last Division NCO was a Master Chief. On a ship it is like superman having your back, unless you fucked up. In the latter case you are doomed.

[JohnnyRingo]

10. 'Bout time....

I'm joking of course, but that's what I'd have said to a fellow union member who refused to leave his good job in the tool crib for over 50 years. Of course in this case, the good sergeant isn't holding up the gig that a younger person could have.

I have a bar buddy who had the unique experience of serving both in Korea and Vietnam. He was in the tail end of the Korean conflict and was still on active reserve when they began drafting for 'Nam. His favorite story is how in Vietnam, his unit would come under fire and the scared kids would naturally look up to him because of his age, and yell over the gunfire: "what should we do now sarge?!!". His reply, as he tells it, was: "how the fuck should I know, I just got here".

"Putzy" as he's known to friends, is a jovial fellow not unlike the veteran in the picture, with a great sense of humor and an endless supply of stories. After the war he spent another 30 years as foreman in a local factory before finally retiring about 15 years ago with a couple pension checks in his mailbox.

I pointed out to Putz one night how comforting it is for me is to see someone his vintage still smoking, drinking, and golfing on a regular basis. I joked that it gave me at least some faint hope for longevity after my own recent retirement. His deadpan reply was immediate: "I only started doing all that five years ago when my second wife died". Wind, meet sail... now say goodbye.

Congratulations to Sgt Valentine, I hope he finds at least as much zest and enjoyment for his new role in life for many, many, years to come.

Thanx for posting.