“For those who fought for it,” said an unknown soldier, “freedom has a meaning the protected will never know.” A collection of military giants who fought for freedom convened in Washington, D.C. for the 14th Annual Veterans Conference, put on by the American Veterans Center. Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen from the … Read more
September 4, 1967, Quong Tin Province, Republic of Vietnam. A routine, pre-dawn, sweeping operation by a Marine company was turning into a major battle with a large force of the North Vietnamese Army. Three additional companies of Marines were committed. Fr. Vincent Capodanno, M.M. was granted permission to accompany the reinforcements, as … Read more
In the early morning hours of November 9, 1967, as American artillery and aircraft pounded an 875-meter-high hill near Dak To, Vietnam, Fr. Charles Watters offered Mass at its base. Many Protestants joined the Catholics for the well-attended service. Soon, the chaplain would accompany these paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade as … Read more
At 1:15 am, on June 6, 1944, most people in German-occupied Normandy were asleep. Then, from the west, came the increasing drone of aircraft engines and of anti-aircraft fire. The largest air armada ever assembled was passing over — 882 U.S. planes, which now began to disgorge their contents: thirteen thousand paratroopers … Read more
“War is Hell” General William Tecumseh Sherman once noted. Indeed there is nothing to celebrate about warfare; however unfortunately it has been present with mankind in his fallen nature since departing from the Garden of Eden. War was a common affair throughout the Old Testament. Saint Augustine understood the sometimes unfortunate necessity … Read more
The book, An American Knight: The Life of Colonel John W. Ripley, USMC has found its way into the hands of many Americans who are looking for Catholic role models. Now the award-winning book written by Norman Fulkerson will extend its reach yet farther with the publication of a paperback second edition … Read more
Review of An American Knight by Rear Admiral William A. Heine, USNR, Retired and Colonel Michael D. Wyly, USMC, Retired. Both men were classmates of Colonel John Ripley, Class of 1962, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis. A lone U.S. Marine hand-walked, gripping the girders underneath the bridge over the Cua Viet River in … Read more
""[vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]An American Knight: The Life of Col. John W. Ripley, USMC Written by Norman J. Fulkerson ISBN: 978-1-877905-41-4 Hardcover bound, 218 pages with 33 illustrations $14.95 Order today from The American TFP’s online store: https://store.tfp.org/products/An-American-Knight-%28Hard-Cover%29.html[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]""""[vc_column_text]There are plenty of books that tell the soldier’s story and take the reader beyond … Read more
One of the most cited and least understood wars in American history is Vietnam. Due to these misunderstandings, it has become synonymous with the words quagmire and disaster. Thus, opponents of current military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan decry our operations there saying that America is getting itself into “another Vietnam.” However, … Read more
Presidential Commission on the Assignment of Women in the Armed Forces, Washington, D.C. Testimony of Colonel John W. Ripley 26 June 1992 COLONEL RIPLEY: I, too, would like to begin with prepared remarks. Ladies and gentlemen of the Commission, I’ll start with my background. Very briefly, my association with combat. I served … Read more