Program - My Story as a Veteran - MAJ J E Pennypacker, Jr, US Army, Retired When it was time for the program, those at the meeting were surprised to hear a knock at the door. When they turned around to see what was going on, John entered the room wearing fatigues he had last worn in October, 1985, announcing in a voice that commanded attention, "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I am Major John Pennypacker, US Army Aviation, Retired. My presentation today falls between Memorial Day where we remember those who gave all and Flag Day. In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1977, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. It is the flag flown outside my home. John asked how many veterans were in the room, and saluted them. He asked rhetorically "What is a veteran - just someone who served his country?" He showed a photo of Colonel Galusha Pennypacker of the Union Army explaining he commanded the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry. He lead an assault on Fort Fisher near Wilmington, NC on Christmas Day - an assault which failed. COL Pennypacker rallied his men. They believed in him trusted him and followed him a few weeks later when he again led the assault. The second time, the assault was successful but at a price. The unit color-bearer was mortally wounded. COL Pennypacker picked up the colors and continued the assault. The banner had over 100 bullet holes in it. He too was severely wounded. Because of his intrepid leadership he was promoted to Brevet Major General. He was 22 years old and remains today the youngest general officer in the US Army. He was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions at the battle of Fort Fisher. John introduced another veteran, Captain John E. Pennypacker, US Army Air Corps, WWII. He served with the 8th Air Force, 576th Bomb Squadron. He flew out of Wendling England near Sussex. He was a flight leader on D-Day. He once told John that he climbed into the upper turret in his B-17 and, as he looked to the north, south and west all he could see were planes filling the sky. He flew oer twenty-five missions, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters. John's dad was a veteran and John's hero. John was proud of what his father - a young man from a small country town, Winchester, Virginia had been a part of in serving his nation. John pointed out that the most famous person to have been born in that little community was Patsy Cline. John asked if anyone might remember Wallace Warfield Simpson - the twice divorced woman for whom the King of England abdicated his throne to "marry the woman he loved." He then asked if they had any idea what she, Patsy Cline, and the little cherub pictured here might have in common. The answer was that all three were brought into this world by the same doctor. Winchester, Virginia is also known as the "Apple Capitol of the World." Yeach year, the Apple Blossom Festival is celebrated there with a coronoation of a queen, and queens to have courts even in Virginia. The celebration included a grand parade. In 1951, the year that John was a Junior Blossom, Esther Williams was the Grand Marshall of the parade. John noticed the men about town were standing straighter and taller and "sucking it in" whenever they saw her. John was an average kid growing up on a farm. He gathered eggs, got his hands pecked unmercifully, milked the cow, churned the butter, weeded the garden and helped his dad herd cattle. He didn't have time to get into too much mischief. His parents and grandparents thought it would do him good to go to military school as his father had done many years prior. John entered Staunton Military Academy in Staunton, Virginia which was about 100 miles from home. He entered as a freshman. He said he was a RAT, which he defined as lower than whale stuff at the bottom of the ocean and you were treated as such. He said it was a rude awakening. All students were assigned to companies just as in a military unit. At that time, John's Company Commander was Cadet Captain Robert E. Lee, III, a direct descendant. John though he was a god and that the sun rose and set at his command. His voice echoed in the halls and on the parade field. John adapted to his new way of life since he had to sink or swim. He did well academically and thrived in the military environment. Three years later, as a senior, he emerged as the Commander of E Company. John said it was easy to decide to become a veteran. He was drafted. A few months after being drafted, he found himself in Viet Nam. John showed the meme about water as it reminded him of an early important lesson learned in Viet Nam. He had been in-country about two weeks in early 1955. He was on one of his first combat patrols when they were attacked. It was early in the morning. The attack - fortunately - did not last aver long. John explained that when you get a little scared, you get very thirsty. It was only about 8:00 a.m. and he drank every last drop from his canteen. They were not going to be resupplied until late that afternoon. It was hot and humid. There was a soldier in his squad named Jefferson. He was from Alabama or Georgia. He too was thirsty and was drinking from his canteen. He looked at John and said, "Hey, white boy, you thirsty?" John said "Yeah!" and Jefferson handed him his almost full canteen. John has never forgotten that lesson of humanity. John spent about nine months in the jungles and learned to carry four canteens. He set a personal record that he would not encourage anyone to strive for. They spent 56 days on patrol marching through jungles, rice paddies, and dusty roads. They did not have a shower with soap and water that entire time. It did rain. They did have a few opportunities to soak in a creek. Unfortunately, after those soaks, would have to get a buddy and their cigarette lighter to get the leaches off his body. It didn't take John long to realize here had to be a better way to make a living. In late 1966, he was off to helicopter flight school. He graduated mid-August 1967. He reported to his first duty assignment at the Aircraft Maintenance Officer course at Ft. Eustis, Virginia. In the photo, he pointed out the necessary accoutrements for an aviator that he has - sunglasses and a Seiko watch. It was Labor Day weekend. It was hot. He was a red-blooded American helicopter pilot. He had a fist full of money in his pocket and he headed off to Virginia Beach in search of girls. Late one evening, he met a beautiful girl. Her name was Betsy. She didn't want anything to do with John. Her friend who worked for the Fairfax County police department gave John Betsy's telephone number and address. A few weeks later, John called Betsy. They had a few dates. The went skiing. He took her to an Army Christmas Ball. Her name tag for the ball read "Mrs. Pennypacker." She tore it up. In late January, 1968 when John was leaving the next day to return to Vietnam, John bravely asked Betsy to marry him, and she said, "Yes." Harry Reasoner explained the difference between airline pilots and helicopter pilots, "Airline pilots are open, clear eyed, buoyant extroverts, and helicopter pilots are brooders, introspective anticipators of trouble. They know if something bad has not happened, it is about to." John showed a picture of A Company 227th AHC, 1st Cavalry Division at Camp Evans, RVN 1968, saying, "this is where I learned to really fly and we all learned in a hurry." He soon became the Maintenance Officer and test pilot for the unit. He continued to learn a lot. Some really great mechanics and SGTs helped him learn. John said he could dance then, and he still does. "What did you do in the war daddy?" "I just took the boys to work." John said he never forgot his roots, adding, "the aviators only exist to help the ground pounders." He showed a photo of two real American heroes. Neal Heape and Clyde French were their mainstay flight leaders on combat assaults inserting troops. During the battles around Hue, Khe Sanh and the A Shau Valley they individually displayed their mettle and each were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous other awards. John said, "We would follow them anywhere, anytime." They were only twenty years old. Both have recently passed but both are well remembered. While in Vietnam, John was able to go on R&R to Australia over Christmas 1968. While there, he was invited to a family's gathering on "boxing day." He was asked what he was going to do after he returned to Vietnam. John answered he would be heading home in late January 1969 to get married in February. The lady of the house disappeared and when she returned she handed John a 3 pence coin and said to have his bride put it in her shoe for good luck. John said it worked, he considers himself a very lucky man. In 1982, John and Betsy made their first home purchase. It was in Yorktown, Virginia, not far from Virginia Beach where they met. Their second home is where John still lives today. When they moved in in 1986, it was their 24th move in 19 years of marriage. John said there is no doubt that flying the Ch-47 Chinook helicopter was the highlight of his flying career. He flew them all over Europe and up and down the east coast of the United States. His last duty assignment was Chief of the Army's Helicopter Maintenance Officer Course and the Army's Helicopter Test Pilot Course. Thirteen years ago, John's world was turned upside down when he lost his Betsy. She is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. In the photo, he is walking with his grandson and John is proud to note they were marching in step. At Christmas, Arlington National Cemetery is bathed with wreathes on every headstone as part of "Wreaths Across America." It is a most beautiful sight and a fitting tribute for veterans and their families. The Pennypacker family goes on. The top left photo below, is of John's son Jay with his family. The little boy marching with John thirteen years ago is now fifteen. He is taller than John and has beaten his dad in golf from the same tees. The top right photo is of John's daughter, Katie. The photo was taken of Katie on TV hill overlooking Kabul., Afghanistan. John is not the only veteran in his family. October 13, 2013 was a wonderful day for daddy and daughter. John's entire family was at Katie's wedding. The photo on the bottom right is of Katie's boys, Owen and Will. It was taken a couple of years ago. John shared some statistics from the Vietnam war. Just under 40,000 soldiers killed were under 22 years old. 997 were killed on their first day 1448 were killed on their last day 8 nurses are listed on the Wall. John was able to attend the dedication of this memorial at Arlington National Cemetery with his daughter, Katie. John wrapped up his presentation saying sometimes memories sneak out of his eyes and roll down his cheeks. CLICK HERE to watch a video John shared titled "God's Own Lunatics" by Joe Galloway Editorial note - I am not this good. John shared his notes and images with me.
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