The Real Survivors
As one reads through the list of combat medals -
three Purple Hearts, three Silver stars, four Bronze Stars - one wonders
how a single Marine could have seen so much action and managed to survive.
But, through two wars, Korea and Vietnam, Sergeant Major Louis Rountree has
proven to be a survivor.
In Korea, Rountree found himself outnumbered at the Chosin Reservoir.
Cut off form any escape route, his regiment, commanded by Marine legend then-
Colonel "Chesty" Puller, was surrounded by eight North Korean divisions.
Breaking out of the encirclement, carrying their dead and wounded with
them, the regiment fought its way back forty miles to friendly lines.
One would have thought his Korea experience would have been enough
excitement for this gung-ho Marine, but Rountree wanted to serve again.
In Vietnam, as an advisor to South Vietnamese army during the early days
of the war, his unit was wiped out. Rountree escaped into the jungle where
he evaded North Vietnamese forces. Friendly reinforcements arrived to
recover the dead. Initially listed as a KIA, when a body count came up
one short, his status was changed to MIA. Days later, he emerged from
the jungle alive and well.
During a career that spanned four decades, Sergeant Major Rountree
experienced both the highs and lows of military service. The "highs"
included his service to country: the "lows" the loss of friends and
comrades who served with him on Hell's battlefields. Through it all,
Rountree was true to his country, true to his Corps, and true to himself.
Today, Rountree continues to demonstrate he is a survivor, but
on a much different battlefield. Living in a VA hospital, he receives
medical attention for a profusion of life-threatening health problems.
Considering his personal achievements, this tough, combat-hardened
Marine seems out of place confined to his bed and wheelchair. Time
seems to be accomplishing what no enemy soldier ever could.
To his credit though, time has proven incapable of diminishing
Rountree's fighting spirit and zest for life. This became apparent to
me during a personal visit with him last month. Compassion in Action's
Chairman Dannion Brinkley led a fire team of visitors to see the
Sergeant Major at the Washington, DC VA Medical Center. Rountree
greeted us with a smile that lit up the room. As Dannion and I shared
that we too were former Marines, an immediate bond formed among us.
Other visitors included my mother, recently widowed by the
passing of my father, Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. The visit brought
back memories of time she spent in military hospitals during the Vietnam
war thanking our young men for their sacrifices and encouraging them to
get well. This visit was different, though, for veterans such as Rountree
would not be going home.
Despite the camaraderie that ensues whenever former Marines get
together, Rountree clearly wanted to spend time with the ladies in our
group; so they escorted him to the recreation center. Dannion and I
followed in trace.
As we reached the recreation room, veterans Morris Moore, Joseph
Thomas, Jr. and Benjamin Saunders, sat aimlessly watching TV. Dannion
immediately sprang into action. He began moving wheelchairs around and
engaging the veterans in conversation. Everything happened so fast it
must have been reminiscent to them of their first firefight. Appearing
to quickly recovering from shill shock, they began sharing stories,
telling jokes and recalling memories. Smiles replaced blank stares
as laughter was heard throughout the center.
In his own dynamic way, Dannion clearly sent an important
message to these four veterans. He told them, "We have not forgotten
you. We still remember the sacrifices you made on our behalf. We love you."
In a serious moment, Dannion asked each man what message he
would want to convey to Americans. Upon reflection, each spoke of
patriotism, teamwork, and about doing what was right for America.
"What humility and selflessness," I thought to myself, "that men
receiving so little attention and love in the twilight of life
would respond only positively about their country and their military service."
As it came time to depart, we hugged each man. I felt a mix of
emotions--jubilation over making four special, new friends yet immense
sadness at having to leave them to face the future - and, perhaps, the
end of life - alone.
One veteran, missing both legs, looked up as we started to leave
and said, "You've made my heart glad today." His comment left me searching
for a response that never came. Not until later did I realize there was
but one appropriate response to give. "No, sir, it is you who made my
heart glad today."
Author's Note:
For two days last month, I accompanied Dannion as he walked the halls
of Congress promoting, Compassion in Action and the need to care for our dying
veterans. No sooner had we completed our second day on the Hill when Dannion
raced us off to visit veterans at the VA hospital. That done, we went to tape
an interview with the Learning Channel in which Dannion emphasized that America
is losing 44,000 World War II veterans a month- many of whom will not receive
the care and medical attention they deserve for lack of funding. I learned one
thing by Dannion's example - there are enough hours in the day to volunteer time
to CIA. We all need to recognize the importance of committing ourselves to
finding that time rather than making excuses for why we cannot. A smile on
the face of a lonely veteran makes it all worthwhile.
Back to Heroes - Back to Marine Stories Page - Back to Scuttlebutt Menu