JULY 2024:

Directed by Randall Wallace, with Screenplay by Randall Wallace, Based on "We Were Soldiers Once… and Young" by Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway, and Produced by Bruce Davey, Stephen McEveety, and Randall Wallace, Starring: Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliott, Chris Kleinl, Keri Russell, Barry Pepper, Đơn Dương, with Cinematography by Dean Semler, and Edited by William Hoy, with Music by Nick Glennie Smith, and Production companies: Icon Productions, and Wheelhouse Entertainment, and Distributed by Paramount Pictures (United States), and Concorde Filmverleih (Germany) (2002)
We Were Soldiers (2002)

The Young and Brave…

We Were Soldiers, directed and written by Randall Wallace, is an intensely gripping war drama that plunges viewers into the heart of the Battle of Ia Drang, one of the first major conflicts between the United States Army and the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) during the Vietnam War. Released in 2002, the film stars Mel Gibson as Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, who leads the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment into one of the most ferocious battles in American military history. The film, adapted from the 1992 book, We Were Soldiers Once… and Young by Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Hal Moore and journalist Joseph L. Galloway, is a tribute to the bravery and sacrifices of soldiers on both sides of the conflict.

Directed by Randall Wallace, with Screenplay by Randall Wallace, Based on "We Were Soldiers Once… and Young" by Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway, and Produced by Bruce Davey, Stephen McEveety, and Randall Wallace, Starring: Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliott, Chris Kleinl, Keri Russell, Barry Pepper, Đơn Dương, with Cinematography by Dean Semler, and Edited by William Hoy, with Music by Nick Glennie Smith, and Production companies: Icon Productions, and Wheelhouse Entertainment, and Distributed by Paramount Pictures (United States), and Concorde Filmverleih (Germany) (2002)
Randall Wallace directing Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Sunset Boulevard/Getty Images
U.S. Army soldiers air-lifted into LZ X-Ray. Combat operations at Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam, November 1965. Major Bruce P. Crandall's UH-1D helicopter climbs skyward after discharging a load of infantrymen on a search and destroy mission. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Service Mark of the United States Army.
The People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), officially the Vietnam People's Army, also recognized as the Vietnamese Army (Vietnamese: Quân đội Việt Nam, lit. 'Military of Vietnam') or the People's Army (Vietnamese: Quân đội Nhân dân), is the national military force of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the armed wing of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The PAVN is a part of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces and includes: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard and Coast Guard. Vietnam does not have a separate Ground Force or Army service. All ground troops, army corps, military districts and special forces are designated under the umbrella terms combined arms (Vietnamese: binh chủng hợp thành) and are belonged to the Ministry of National Defence, directly under the command of the CPV Central Military Commission, the Minister of National Defence, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. The military flag of the PAVN is the National flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam defaced with the motto Quyết thắng (Determination to win) added in yellow at the top left (or by the side of the flagpole) Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Soldiers of the U.S. Amry 1/7th Cavalry and Lt. Col. Hal Moore's regiment in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
A napalm strike erupts in a fireball near US troops in South Vietnam, 1966 during the Vietnam War. (AP Photo)
Mel Gibson as Lt. Col. Hal Moore in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Each year, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps selects one book that he believes is both relevant and timeless for reading by all Marines. The Commandant's choice for 1993 was We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young. In November 1965, some 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, only two and a half miles away, a sister battalion was chopped to pieces. Together, these actions at the landing zones X-Ray and Albany constituted one of the most savage and significant battles of the Vietnam War. How these men persevered--sacrificed themselves for their comrades and never gave up--makes a vivid portrait of war at its most inspiring and devastating. General Moore and Joseph Galloway, the only journalist on the ground throughout the fighting, have interviewed hundreds of men who fought there, including the North Vietnamese commanders. This devastating account rises above the specific ordeal it chronicles to present a picture of men facing the ultimate challenge, dealing with it in ways they would have found unimaginable only a few hours earlier. It reveals to us, as rarely before, man's most heroic and horrendous endeavor.
Moore at the United States Military Academy in May 2010. Harold Gregory Moore Jr. (February 13, 1922 – February 10, 2017) was a United States Army lieutenant general and author. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second-highest decoration for valor, and was the first of his West Point class (1945) to be promoted to brigadier general, major general, and lieutenant general. Moore is remembered as the lieutenant colonel in command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, during the Vietnam War. The battle was detailed in the 1992 bestseller We Were Soldiers Once… and Young, co-authored by Moore and made into the film We Were Soldiers in 2002, which starred Mel Gibson as Moore; Moore was the "honorary colonel" of the regiment. Moore was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice by the National Infantry Association as well as the Distinguished Graduate Award by the West Point Association of Graduates. Photo Credit: United States Military Academy
Joseph L. Galloway in 2007. Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.

The film’s ensemble cast is remarkable, including Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliott, Chris Klein, Keri Russell, Barry Pepper, Đơn Dương, Ryan Hurst, Clark Gregg, Jon Hamm, and Dylan Walsh. Each actor brings depth and humanity to their portrayals of real-life figures, ensuring that the narrative is as emotionally impactful as it is thrilling.

Madeleine Stowe as Julia Moore in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Greg Kinnear as Major Bruce Crandall in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Sam Elliott as Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Chris Klein as 2nd Lt. Jack Geoghegan in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Keri Russell as Barbara Geoghegan in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Barry Pepper as Joe Galloway in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Đơn Dương as Lt. Col. Nguyễn Hữu An in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Ryan Hurst as Sgt. Ernie Savage in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Clark Gregg as Capt. Tom Metsker in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Jon Hamm as Capt. Matt Dillon in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Dylan Walsh as Capt. Bob Edwards in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Cast and Characters

Directed by Randall Wallace, with Screenplay by Randall Wallace, Based on "We Were Soldiers Once… and Young" by Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway, and Produced by Bruce Davey, Stephen McEveety, and Randall Wallace, Starring: Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliott, Chris Kleinl, Keri Russell, Barry Pepper, Đơn Dương, with Cinematography by Dean Semler, and Edited by William Hoy, with Music by Nick Glennie Smith, and Production companies: Icon Productions, and Wheelhouse Entertainment, and Distributed by Paramount Pictures (United States), and Concorde Filmverleih (Germany) (2002)

Mel Gibson as Lt. Col. Hal Moore:

Mel Gibson as Lt. Col. Hal Moore in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Harold Gregory Moore Jr. (February 13, 1922 – February 10, 2017) was a United States Army lieutenant general and author. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second-highest decoration for valor, and was the first of his West Point class (1945) to be promoted to brigadier general, major general, and lieutenant general. Moore is remembered as the lieutenant colonel in command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, during the Vietnam War. The battle was detailed in the 1992 bestseller We Were Soldiers Once… and Young, co-authored by Moore and made into the film We Were Soldiers in 2002, which starred Mel Gibson as Moore; Moore was the "honorary colonel" of the regiment. Moore was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice by the National Infantry Association as well as the Distinguished Graduate Award by the West Point Association of Graduates. Photo Credit: United States Military Academy

The determined and compassionate leader of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment.

Mel Gibson, and Sam Elliott in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Soldiers of the U.S. Amry 1/7th Cavalry and Lt. Col. Hal Moore's regiment in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Mel Gibson as Lt. Col. Hal Moore in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Mel Gibson as Lt. Col. Hal Moore in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Mel Gibson as Lt. Col. Hal Moore in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Madeleine Stowe as Julia Moore:

Madeleine Stowe as Julia Moore in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Julia Compton Moore was the wife of Lieutenant General (Ret.) Hal Moore, a United States Army officer. Her efforts and complaints in the aftermath of the Battle of Ia Drang prompted the U.S. Army to set up survivor support networks and casualty notification teams consisting of uniformed officers, which are still in use. Born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Julia (“Julie”) Compton Moore was the only child of Army Colonel Louis J. Compton and Elizabeth Boon Compton. Mrs. Moore was a graduate of Chevy Chase Junior College, Chevy Chase, Maryland and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as a member of the Pi Phi Sorority, prior to her marriage. Wherever her husband was stationed, Mrs. Moore became an integral part of the community, serving as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and Red Cross volunteer in the Army hospitals. She supported the day care centers and worked with the wives clubs to take better care of the enlisted soldier and his family. Mrs. Moore was especially active in setting up the Army Community Service organizations that are now a permanent fixture on all army posts and which assist each soldier as they process into their new duty stations. Since the age of 12, Mrs. Moore has sent the men she loved to war. Her father fought in Europe in World War II, her husband was wounded in Korea and Vietnam, and one of her sons fought with the 82nd Airborne Division in Panama and the Gulf War. Her early and life-long experience with separation and the risk of loss in war provided her a unique empathy with, and understanding of, the lives of families in war. Mrs. Moore was married under crossed sabers in 1949 to Hal Moore, who later commanded the first battalion, 7th Cavalry in the battle of the Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam in 1965. The Ia Drang was the first major engagement between the forces of the United States and the forces of the People’s Army of Vietnam. Over 1,000 Vietnamese were killed, at the price of 121 American lives. The impact of this battle at home in Columbus Georgia, where Julie lived with her five young children, was depicted in the 2002 Paramount release, “We Were Soldiers,” and brought to millions of Americans the carnage of combat and its terrible toll on families. Notices of combat deaths in Columbus were delivered to wives and families typically isolated in small apartments, trailer parks, and one-room walk-ups. Photo Credit: United States Army

Hal Moore’s supportive and strong-willed wife.

Madeleine Stowe, and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Madeleine Stowe, and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Madeleine Stowe as Julia Moore in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Keri Russell, Simbi Kali, and Madeleine Stowe in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Keri Russell, and Madeleine Stowe in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Greg Kinnear as Maj. Bruce “Snakes*it” Crandall:

Greg Kinnear as Major Bruce Crandall in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Crandall in the mid-1960s. Bruce Perry Crandall (born February 17, 1933) is a retired United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions as a pilot during the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14, 1965, in South Vietnam. During the battle, he flew 22 missions in a Bell Huey helicopter into enemy fire to evacuate more than 70 wounded and bring ammunition and supplies to United States forces. His actions in the battle of the Ia Drang valley were portrayed by actor Greg Kinnear in the Mel Gibson film, We Were Soldiers. By the end of the Vietnam War, he had flown more than 900 combat missions. He retired from the army as a lieutenant colonel and worked several jobs in different states before settling down with his wife in his home state of Washington. Photo Credit: United States Army

A fearless helicopter pilot who repeatedly risks his life to supply and evacuate troops.

Greg Kinnear as Major Bruce Crandall in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Mel Gibson, and Greg Kinnear in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Greg Kinnear as Major Bruce Crandall in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Jon Hamm, Barry Pepper, and Greg Kinnear in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Greg Kinnear as Major Bruce Crandall in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Sam Elliott as Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley:

Sam Elliott as Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Basil Leonard Plumley (January 1, 1920 – October 10, 2012) was a career soldier and airborne combat Infantryman in the United States Army who rose to the rank of Command Sergeant Major. As a combat veteran of World War II and the Vietnam War, he is most noted for his actions during the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam. Plumley enlisted in the United States Army as a Private on March 31, 1942. He was a Gliderman of the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. He saw action during the Invasion of Normandy and Operation Market Garden. Plumley participated in two glider assaults in the European Theater. His first was on June 6, 1944, during the Invasion of Normandy, and his second was for Operation Market Garden on Sept. 18, 1944. Plumley was shot in the hand the same day for which he received the Purple Heart and was awarded multiple decorations for his service in World War II. During the Korean War, Plumley fought as the member of 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He fought in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. He participated in the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam in 1965, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, who praised Plumley as an outstanding NCO and leader in the 1992 book about this battle, We Were Soldiers Once… and Young. The book was the basis for the 2002 film We Were Soldiers, in which Plumley was played by actor Sam Elliott. Plumley was known affectionately by his soldiers as "Old Iron Jaw". Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley served in the Republic of Korea between 1952 and 1953. He retired as a Command Sergeant Major on December 31, 1974, having been awarded 28 different personal, unit, campaign and service awards and decorations in almost 33 years of military service, spanning World War II and the Vietnam War. After his retirement, he worked 15 more years for the army as a civilian in administration at Martin Army Community Hospital and at various medical clinics around Fort Benning, Georgia, retiring again in 1990. Photo Credit: Uniteed States Army

A tough, battle-hardened non-commissioned officer, and Moore’s second in command.

Sam Elliott as Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Sam Elliott as Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Mel Gibson, and Sam Elliott in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Sam Elliott, and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Sam Elliott, and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Sam Elliott, and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Chris Klein as 2nd Lt. Jack Geoghegan:

Chris Klein as 2nd Lt. Jack Geoghegan in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
John Lance Jack Geoghegan was an outstanding alumnus of Pennsylvania Military College. William S. Biddle, who served as Geoghegan's Commandant called him ..one of Pennsylvania Military College's most promising sons. He clearly lived up to this praise in his military leadership, academics, service, and bravery in Vietnam. Sadly, he made the ultimate sacrifice; he was fatally wounded as he tired to help a fellow soldier during one of the first battles of the Vietnam War, in the Ia Drang Valley. He died, as he lived, in service to others and his country. Jack Geoghegan entered Pennsylvania Military College in 1959. Early on he demonstrated military skill, receiving several leadership appointments and awards. As a sophomore, he was appointed Corporal. As a Junior, he was appointed Brigade Sergeant Major and received the Army and Navy Legion of Valor Bronze Cross. Geoghegan earned this award in recognition of being chosen, among 33 Colleges and Universities that offered ROTC programs, the Outstanding Junior Class Cadet in the XXI U.S. Army Corps Area. As a senior his excellence in military leadership was again recognized, as he was appointed Brigade Commander. Geoghegan held leadership roles outside of the military sphere as well. During his junior and senior years, he served as class president. He used this position to promote the unique education that he received at PMC. During a Talk to Candidates in 1963, he clearly displays his pride in the college and the ideals that were ingrained in him. He stressed that the two most important values he gained from military training at PMC were confidence and leadership. He would remain dedicated to these ideals throughout his short life. Following his graduation from PMC, Geoghegan choose to attend graduate school before starting military service. He went to the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Master's Degree in International Relations. Continuing his dedication to service and as background for his research toward his graduate degree, Geoghegan went to East Africa where he, and his wife, worked for Catholic Relief Services. Geoghegan worked in Africa from the summer of 1964 until the early part of 1965. He used the experiences he gained working with the people in Tanzania as the basis for his Master's Thesis. Working in East Africa made such an impression on him, that he and his wife planned to return to the Congo. As military service intervened, Geoghegan returned to the United States and started basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 1st Calvary (Air Mobile) Division and prepared for deployment in Vietnam. He left for Vietnam in September as a platoon leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary. A letter that Geoghegan wrote to General Biddle demonstrates that the former cadet still followed the principles that made him such an effective leader at PMC. It is also clear that he maintained a strong commitment to supporting his country at all costs: The experience which I'm presently going through has already made a great change in my life. The swing of life and death everyday cannot help but leave an impression in one's mind. My platoon has been very successful and many members have exhibited a great deal of courage. I'm very proud of my men and the position I hold...It is my hope that each and every cadet takes his army career as a great challenge... Sadly, this was a challenge that Geoghegan would ultimately lose, as he was fatally wounded on November 15, 1965 in the Ia Drang Valley. All accounts from that battle depict Geoghegan as a courageous soldier who led his platoon through a treacherous situation and gave his life in the effort to help a wounded soldier. He demonstrated the courage with leadership, which he learned at PMC, as he faced the most desperate situation. General Hal Moore, Geoghegan's commander at the Ia Drang battle, described Geoghegan's action on that day: When I think of 2nd lieutenant Jack Geoghegan, two words come into my head, COURAGE and LOYALTY. On that terrible morning; 15 November 1965 when my under strength battalion was assaulted from three directions, the brunt fell like a mammoth sledge hammer on two platoons of C Co.; one of which was led by Jack Geoghegan. In the ensuing firestorm Willie Godboldt, a rifleman in Jack's platoon, was shot and hollered for help. In contempt of danger and in extreme jeopardy Jack rose from cover, in the sheets of fire and ran to help his wounded trooper. His young life, and Godboldt's were ended almost immediately. For his heroism in that battle, Geoghegan was posthumously awarded three medals: The Bronze Star by the United States, as well as the National Order, 5th Class and the Gallantry Cross with Palm, by the Republic of South Vietnam. He received countless tributes by Pennsylvania Military College. Geoghegan's heroism in the Battle of Ia Drang was also depicted in the book We were soldiers once -and young : Ia Drang, the battle that changed the war in Vietnam by Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway, published in 1992. In 2002, Paramount Studios released the motion picture We Were Soldiers, which was based upon the 1992 bestseller. All tributes highlight the leadership, integrity, courage and determination that John Lance Geoghegan displayed. Clearly, this makes him a preeminent example of what Pennsylvania Military College stood for and the values that the graduates gained from this institution. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG; PDF Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives. Item Description Title Talk to Candidates, 1963. Subject Alumni Description Good Afternoon ladies and gentleman and respected candidates of the college. My purpose this afternoon is to talk to the young gentleman who may not come here, in what I feel that they will gain in coming to Pennsylvania Military College, what I have gained and what my fellow classmates have gained....There is one degree that you are going to receive...that I feel you will not gain anywhere else. That is the degree of leadership. That is what Pennsylvania Military College has that most colleges in the United States do not have...At Pennsylvania Military College from 6:30 in the morning until everybody is in bed and sometimes it is 2 0'clock. It is a long day and a lot of hard work, but I think that you all know and all realize that anything in this world that you want is only gained through hard work...You are forced to grow up the first day you are here. Confidence is part of this leadership. If you want summer camp, 2100 cadets from colleges for every part of the United States and as far away as California, college leaders...In my class...we came out tops in summer camp. The year before that the class came out tops then. Why? Not so much the we knew much more, but it was the confidence, the thing that you know you need in the field, it is a matter of pride not to be wrong, but I feel it is a sincere pride in traditions no matter what you do...I did want to stress those two things, confidence with leadership! These are the two things which you gain. I will get a degree on June 2 and my classmates will get theirs, but I feel that those two points are as important. Thank you very much for coming. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives.

A young, idealistic officer, husband and father to a newborn.

Chris Klein as 2nd Lt. Jack Geoghegan in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Chris Klein, and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Keri Russell, and Chris Klein in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Keri Russell as Barbara Geoghegan:

Keri Russell as Barbara Geoghegan in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Barbara, Cammie, and John Lance 'Jack' Geoghegan in 1965. Photo Credit: virtual wall.org

Jack Geoghegan’s devoted wife.

Keri Russell, and Chris Klein in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Simbi Kali, Madeleine Stowe, Keri Russell, and Bellemy Young in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Keri Russell, Simbi Kali, and Madeleine Stowe in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Barry Pepper as Joe Galloway:

Barry Pepper as Joe Galloway in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.

A journalist who gets caught in the midst of the battle.

Barry Pepper as Joe Galloway in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Barry Pepper, and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Barry Pepper and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Barry Pepper, Sam Elliott and Mel Gibson in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Barry Pepper as Joe Galloway in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Đơn Dương as Lt. Col. Nguyễn Hữu An:

Đơn Dương as Lt. Col. Nguyễn Hữu An in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Nguyễn Hữu An with his wife Nguyễn Hữu An (October 1, 1926 – April 9, 1995) was a Vietnamese military officer in the North Vietnamese Army (PAVN) during the Vietnam War. The initial landing of Moore's battalion was met with sporadic resistance, but as more troops arrived, the intensity of the fighting quickly escalated. The PAVN, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Hữu An, had prepared for the American assault and swiftly moved to engage the incoming troops. The PAVN's strategy was to close the distance between their forces and the Americans, thereby neutralizing the effectiveness of U.S. air support and artillery. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

The determined and strategic North Vietnamese commander.

Đơn Dương as Lt. Col. Nguyễn Hữu An in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Đơn Dương as Lt. Col. Nguyễn Hữu An in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Ryan Hurst as Sgt. Ernie Savage:

Ryan Hurst as Sgt. Ernie Savage in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Ernie Savage grew up in Alabama and enlisted in the Army in 1960. After basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas he deployed with his battle group to Korea as a machine gunner with an infantry company. He later went to the NCO Academy, and in 1964 was assigned to the 11th Air Assault at Fort Benning, Georgia. His unit left, now part of the 1st Cavalry Division, for Vietnam aboard a troop ship in August 1965. He recalls the Panama Canal, a typhoon in the Pacific, and shooting the new M16s at towed targets off the back of the USNS General Maurice Rose (T-AP-126). He remembers sleeping in pup tents at An Khe before getting wooden-floored GP tents, which was good for the termites. He discusses great leadership, the pursuit of the enemy, the battles at LZ X-ray and Bong Son, South Korean soldiers (“the best”), sharing cookies from home, a making a career of the Army. Key Words: Dien Bien Phu, Fort Riley, Kansas, battle group, Korea, 11 Bravo, Pentomic, NCO Academy, 11th Air Assault, Fort Benning, Georgia, USS Rose, Panama Canal, Cam Ranh Bay, An Khe, pup tents, termites, Combat, Paint Your Wagon, LZ X-ray, Chu Pong Mountain, mortar FO, artillery FO, Bong Son, Starlight scope, M60, Fort McClellan, Alabama

A brave and resourceful soldier, who becomes pivotal in a lost platoon.

Ryan Hurst as Sgt. Ernie Savage in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Ryan Hurst as Sgt. Ernie Savage in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Ryan Hurst as Sgt. Ernie Savage in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Ryan Hurst as Sgt. Ernie Savage in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Ryan Hurst as Sgt. Ernie Savage in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Clark Gregg as Capt. Tom Metsker:

Clark Gregg as Capt. Tom Metsker in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Tom Metsker was a 1961 graduate of The Citadel. Tom met Catherine LaPlante on a blind date and they fell madly in love and got married. Their baby girl, Karen Doranne Metsker, was just 17 months old when Tom was killed in the Ia Drang Valley. He is featured in the book and movie "We Were Soldiers Once and Young."

A courageous and dedicated officer of communications in the Ia Drang Valley.

Clark Gregg as Capt. Tom Metsker in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Clark Gregg as Capt. Tom Metsker in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Clark Gregg as Capt. Tom Metsker in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
Sam Elliott, Mel Gibson, Clark Gregg, Jon Hamm, Dylan Walsh, Ryan Hurst in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures

Historical Context and Real-Life Soldiers

We Were Soldiers is based on the harrowing true story of the Battle of Ia Drang, which took place on November 14-18, 1965, in the Ia Drang Valley of Vietnam. This battle was significant as it was the first major engagement between the United States Army and the North Vietnamese Army. The film meticulously portrays the experiences of the soldiers and their families, highlighting their bravery, sacrifices, and the intense bond formed through shared adversity.

Directed by Randall Wallace, with Screenplay by Randall Wallace, Based on "We Were Soldiers Once… and Young" by Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway, and Produced by Bruce Davey, Stephen McEveety, and Randall Wallace, Starring: Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliott, Chris Kleinl, Keri Russell, Barry Pepper, Đơn Dương, with Cinematography by Dean Semler, and Edited by William Hoy, with Music by Nick Glennie Smith, and Production companies: Icon Productions, and Wheelhouse Entertainment, and Distributed by Paramount Pictures (United States), and Concorde Filmverleih (Germany) (2002)

Lt. Col. Hal Moore (Mel Gibson)

Harold Gregory Moore Jr. (February 13, 1922 – February 10, 2017) was a United States Army lieutenant general and author. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second-highest decoration for valor, and was the first of his West Point class (1945) to be promoted to brigadier general, major general, and lieutenant general. Moore is remembered as the lieutenant colonel in command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, during the Vietnam War. The battle was detailed in the 1992 bestseller We Were Soldiers Once… and Young, co-authored by Moore and made into the film We Were Soldiers in 2002, which starred Mel Gibson as Moore; Moore was the "honorary colonel" of the regiment. Moore was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice by the National Infantry Association as well as the Distinguished Graduate Award by the West Point Association of Graduates. Photo Credit: United States Military Academy

 Lt. Col. Harold “Hal” Moore was a distinguished officer in the United States Army, known for his exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. Born on February 13, 1922, Moore graduated from West Point in 1945 and served in the Korean War before being assigned to lead the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment during the Vietnam War. Moore’s leadership during the Battle of Ia Drang was marked by his tactical brilliance and deep care for his men. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the battle. After Vietnam, Moore continued to serve with distinction, eventually retiring as a lieutenant general. He co-authored We Were Soldiers Once… and Young with journalist Joseph L. Galloway to honor the men who fought alongside him.

LTC Harold G. Moore, on his phone, during the battle of LZ X-Ray, November 14-15, 1965. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons Photo
Harold Gregory Moore Jr. (February 13, 1922 – February 10, 2017) was a United States Army lieutenant general and author. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second-highest decoration for valor, and was the first of his West Point class (1945) to be promoted to brigadier general, major general, and lieutenant general. Moore is remembered as the lieutenant colonel in command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, during the Vietnam War. The battle was detailed in the 1992 bestseller We Were Soldiers Once… and Young, co-authored by Moore and made into the film We Were Soldiers in 2002, which starred Mel Gibson as Moore; Moore was the "honorary colonel" of the regiment. Moore was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice by the National Infantry Association as well as the Distinguished Graduate Award by the West Point Association of Graduates. Photo Credit: United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy (USMA), also referred to metonymically as West Point or simply as Army,[7] is a United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a fort during the American Revolutionary War, as it sits on strategic high ground overlooking the Hudson River 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City. It is the oldest of the five American service academies and educates cadets for commissioning into the United States Army.
With her brother on her back a war weary Korean girl tiredly trudges by a stalled M-46 tank, at Haengju, Korea. NWDNS-80-G-429691. War and Conflict #1485. The Korean War was fought between North Korea and South Korea; it began on 25 June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea and ceased upon an armistice on 27 July 1953. North Korea was supported by the Soviet Union and China (PRC) while South Korea was supported by the United Nations Command (UNC) led by the United States (US)
1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment
The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the United States Army's second highest military decoration for soldiers who display extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations, but which do not meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor. The Army Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Naval Services' Navy Cross, the Air and Space Forces' Air Force Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross. Prior to the creation of the Air Force Cross in 1960, airmen were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
Lieutenant Colonel Harold G. "Hal" Moore, center, confers with Nadal. Courtesy Ramon Nadal
Moore examines a slain enemy soldier. He made sure that no Americans were left behind. Photo Credit: United States Army
Each year, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps selects one book that he believes is both relevant and timeless for reading by all Marines. The Commandant's choice for 1993 was We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young. In November 1965, some 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, only two and a half miles away, a sister battalion was chopped to pieces. Together, these actions at the landing zones X-Ray and Albany constituted one of the most savage and significant battles of the Vietnam War. How these men persevered--sacrificed themselves for their comrades and never gave up--makes a vivid portrait of war at its most inspiring and devastating. General Moore and Joseph Galloway, the only journalist on the ground throughout the fighting, have interviewed hundreds of men who fought there, including the North Vietnamese commanders. This devastating account rises above the specific ordeal it chronicles to present a picture of men facing the ultimate challenge, dealing with it in ways they would have found unimaginable only a few hours earlier. It reveals to us, as rarely before, man's most heroic and horrendous endeavor.
Moore at the United States Military Academy in May 2010. Harold Gregory Moore Jr. (February 13, 1922 – February 10, 2017) was a United States Army lieutenant general and author. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second-highest decoration for valor, and was the first of his West Point class (1945) to be promoted to brigadier general, major general, and lieutenant general. Moore is remembered as the lieutenant colonel in command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, during the Vietnam War. The battle was detailed in the 1992 bestseller We Were Soldiers Once… and Young, co-authored by Moore and made into the film We Were Soldiers in 2002, which starred Mel Gibson as Moore; Moore was the "honorary colonel" of the regiment. Moore was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice by the National Infantry Association as well as the Distinguished Graduate Award by the West Point Association of Graduates. Photo Credit: United States Military Academy
Joseph L. Galloway in 2007. Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.

Julia Moore (Madeleine Stowe)

Julia Compton Moore was the wife of Lieutenant General (Ret.) Hal Moore, a United States Army officer. Her efforts and complaints in the aftermath of the Battle of Ia Drang prompted the U.S. Army to set up survivor support networks and casualty notification teams consisting of uniformed officers, which are still in use. Born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Julia (“Julie”) Compton Moore was the only child of Army Colonel Louis J. Compton and Elizabeth Boon Compton. Mrs. Moore was a graduate of Chevy Chase Junior College, Chevy Chase, Maryland and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as a member of the Pi Phi Sorority, prior to her marriage. Wherever her husband was stationed, Mrs. Moore became an integral part of the community, serving as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and Red Cross volunteer in the Army hospitals. She supported the day care centers and worked with the wives clubs to take better care of the enlisted soldier and his family. Mrs. Moore was especially active in setting up the Army Community Service organizations that are now a permanent fixture on all army posts and which assist each soldier as they process into their new duty stations. Since the age of 12, Mrs. Moore has sent the men she loved to war. Her father fought in Europe in World War II, her husband was wounded in Korea and Vietnam, and one of her sons fought with the 82nd Airborne Division in Panama and the Gulf War. Her early and life-long experience with separation and the risk of loss in war provided her a unique empathy with, and understanding of, the lives of families in war. Mrs. Moore was married under crossed sabers in 1949 to Hal Moore, who later commanded the first battalion, 7th Cavalry in the battle of the Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam in 1965. The Ia Drang was the first major engagement between the forces of the United States and the forces of the People’s Army of Vietnam. Over 1,000 Vietnamese were killed, at the price of 121 American lives. The impact of this battle at home in Columbus Georgia, where Julie lived with her five young children, was depicted in the 2002 Paramount release, “We Were Soldiers,” and brought to millions of Americans the carnage of combat and its terrible toll on families. Notices of combat deaths in Columbus were delivered to wives and families typically isolated in small apartments, trailer parks, and one-room walk-ups. Photo Credit: United States Army

 Julia Compton Moore was the supportive and resilient wife of Hal Moore. She played a crucial role in supporting the families of the soldiers in Hal’s command. During the Battle of Ia Drang, she and other Army wives volunteered to deliver casualty notifications to the families, demonstrating tremendous strength and compassion. Julia Moore’s efforts led to changes in how the Army delivered casualty notifications, making the process more sensitive and respectful. She passed away in 2004, remembered for her dedication to military families.

Julia Compton Moore was the wife of Lieutenant General (Ret.) Hal Moore, a United States Army officer. Her efforts and complaints in the aftermath of the Battle of Ia Drang prompted the U.S. Army to set up survivor support networks and casualty notification teams consisting of uniformed officers, which are still in use. Born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Julia (“Julie”) Compton Moore was the only child of Army Colonel Louis J. Compton and Elizabeth Boon Compton. Mrs. Moore was a graduate of Chevy Chase Junior College, Chevy Chase, Maryland and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as a member of the Pi Phi Sorority, prior to her marriage. Wherever her husband was stationed, Mrs. Moore became an integral part of the community, serving as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and Red Cross volunteer in the Army hospitals. She supported the day care centers and worked with the wives clubs to take better care of the enlisted soldier and his family. Mrs. Moore was especially active in setting up the Army Community Service organizations that are now a permanent fixture on all army posts and which assist each soldier as they process into their new duty stations. Since the age of 12, Mrs. Moore has sent the men she loved to war. Her father fought in Europe in World War II, her husband was wounded in Korea and Vietnam, and one of her sons fought with the 82nd Airborne Division in Panama and the Gulf War. Her early and life-long experience with separation and the risk of loss in war provided her a unique empathy with, and understanding of, the lives of families in war. Mrs. Moore was married under crossed sabers in 1949 to Hal Moore, who later commanded the first battalion, 7th Cavalry in the battle of the Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam in 1965. The Ia Drang was the first major engagement between the forces of the United States and the forces of the People’s Army of Vietnam. Over 1,000 Vietnamese were killed, at the price of 121 American lives. The impact of this battle at home in Columbus Georgia, where Julie lived with her five young children, was depicted in the 2002 Paramount release, “We Were Soldiers,” and brought to millions of Americans the carnage of combat and its terrible toll on families. Notices of combat deaths in Columbus were delivered to wives and families typically isolated in small apartments, trailer parks, and one-room walk-ups. Photo Credit: United States Army
Hal and Julie Moore with their daughter, Julie, at Fort Benning. Hal Moore deployed from Fort Benning to Vietnam while the family remained in the Columbus area. Credit: Moore Family
Vietnam commander Lt. Gen. Hal Moore and his wife Julie with their three children. Credit: Ledger-Enquirer
Julia Compton Moore was the wife of Lieutenant General (Ret.) Hal Moore, a United States Army officer. Her efforts and complaints in the aftermath of the Battle of Ia Drang prompted the U.S. Army to set up survivor support networks and casualty notification teams consisting of uniformed officers, which are still in use. Born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Julia (“Julie”) Compton Moore was the only child of Army Colonel Louis J. Compton and Elizabeth Boon Compton. Mrs. Moore was a graduate of Chevy Chase Junior College, Chevy Chase, Maryland and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as a member of the Pi Phi Sorority, prior to her marriage. Wherever her husband was stationed, Mrs. Moore became an integral part of the community, serving as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and Red Cross volunteer in the Army hospitals. She supported the day care centers and worked with the wives clubs to take better care of the enlisted soldier and his family. Mrs. Moore was especially active in setting up the Army Community Service organizations that are now a permanent fixture on all army posts and which assist each soldier as they process into their new duty stations. Since the age of 12, Mrs. Moore has sent the men she loved to war. Her father fought in Europe in World War II, her husband was wounded in Korea and Vietnam, and one of her sons fought with the 82nd Airborne Division in Panama and the Gulf War. Her early and life-long experience with separation and the risk of loss in war provided her a unique empathy with, and understanding of, the lives of families in war. Mrs. Moore was married under crossed sabers in 1949 to Hal Moore, who later commanded the first battalion, 7th Cavalry in the battle of the Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam in 1965. The Ia Drang was the first major engagement between the forces of the United States and the forces of the People’s Army of Vietnam. Over 1,000 Vietnamese were killed, at the price of 121 American lives. The impact of this battle at home in Columbus Georgia, where Julie lived with her five young children, was depicted in the 2002 Paramount release, “We Were Soldiers,” and brought to millions of Americans the carnage of combat and its terrible toll on families. Notices of combat deaths in Columbus were delivered to wives and families typically isolated in small apartments, trailer parks, and one-room walk-ups. Photo Credit: United States Army
Julia Compton Moore was the wife of Lieutenant General (Ret.) Hal Moore, a United States Army officer. Her efforts and complaints in the aftermath of the Battle of Ia Drang prompted the U.S. Army to set up survivor support networks and casualty notification teams consisting of uniformed officers, which are still in use. Born at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Julia (“Julie”) Compton Moore was the only child of Army Colonel Louis J. Compton and Elizabeth Boon Compton. Mrs. Moore was a graduate of Chevy Chase Junior College, Chevy Chase, Maryland and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as a member of the Pi Phi Sorority, prior to her marriage. Wherever her husband was stationed, Mrs. Moore became an integral part of the community, serving as a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother and Red Cross volunteer in the Army hospitals. She supported the day care centers and worked with the wives clubs to take better care of the enlisted soldier and his family. Mrs. Moore was especially active in setting up the Army Community Service organizations that are now a permanent fixture on all army posts and which assist each soldier as they process into their new duty stations. Since the age of 12, Mrs. Moore has sent the men she loved to war. Her father fought in Europe in World War II, her husband was wounded in Korea and Vietnam, and one of her sons fought with the 82nd Airborne Division in Panama and the Gulf War. Her early and life-long experience with separation and the risk of loss in war provided her a unique empathy with, and understanding of, the lives of families in war. Mrs. Moore was married under crossed sabers in 1949 to Hal Moore, who later commanded the first battalion, 7th Cavalry in the battle of the Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam in 1965. The Ia Drang was the first major engagement between the forces of the United States and the forces of the People’s Army of Vietnam. Over 1,000 Vietnamese were killed, at the price of 121 American lives. The impact of this battle at home in Columbus Georgia, where Julie lived with her five young children, was depicted in the 2002 Paramount release, “We Were Soldiers,” and brought to millions of Americans the carnage of combat and its terrible toll on families. Notices of combat deaths in Columbus were delivered to wives and families typically isolated in small apartments, trailer parks, and one-room walk-ups. Photo Credit: United States Army
Lt. Gen. (Ret) Hal Moore, Julia Moore and Mel Gibson who portrays Moore in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) Photo Credit: Moore Family

Maj. Bruce Crandall (Greg Kinnear)

Crandall in the mid-1960s. Bruce Perry Crandall (born February 17, 1933) is a retired United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions as a pilot during the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14, 1965, in South Vietnam. During the battle, he flew 22 missions in a Bell Huey helicopter into enemy fire to evacuate more than 70 wounded and bring ammunition and supplies to United States forces. His actions in the battle of the Ia Drang valley were portrayed by actor Greg Kinnear in the Mel Gibson film, We Were Soldiers. By the end of the Vietnam War, he had flown more than 900 combat missions. He retired from the army as a lieutenant colonel and worked several jobs in different states before settling down with his wife in his home state of Washington. Photo Credit: United States Army

 Major Bruce “Snakes*it” Crandall was an intrepid helicopter pilot who played a vital role in the Battle of Ia Drang. Born on February 17, 1933, Crandall’s fearless actions during the battle, where he flew numerous missions to deliver supplies and evacuate the wounded under heavy fire, earned him the Medal of Honor. His extraordinary courage and selflessness were pivotal in saving countless lives during the battle. After the war, Crandall continued to serve in various capacities before retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Bruce Perry Crandall (born February 17, 1933) is a retired United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions as a pilot during the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14, 1965, in South Vietnam. During the battle, he flew 22 missions in a Bell Huey helicopter into enemy fire to evacuate more than 70 wounded and bring ammunition and supplies to United States forces. His actions in the battle of the Ia Drang valley were portrayed by actor Greg Kinnear in the Mel Gibson film, We Were Soldiers. By the end of the Vietnam War, he had flown more than 900 combat missions. He retired from the army as a lieutenant colonel and worked several jobs in different states before settling down with his wife in his home state of Washington. Photo Credit: United States Army
Crandall (right) and Medal of Honor recipient Leroy Petry (left) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, June 24, 2013 Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Bruce Perry Crandall (born February 17, 1933) is a retired United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions as a pilot during the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14, 1965, in South Vietnam. During the battle, he flew 22 missions in a Bell Huey helicopter into enemy fire to evacuate more than 70 wounded and bring ammunition and supplies to United States forces. His actions in the battle of the Ia Drang valley were portrayed by actor Greg Kinnear in the Mel Gibson film, We Were Soldiers. By the end of the Vietnam War, he had flown more than 900 combat missions. He retired from the army as a lieutenant colonel and worked several jobs in different states before settling down with his wife in his home state of Washington. Photo Credit: United States Army
U.S. Army soldiers air-lifted into LZ X-Ray. Combat operations at Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam, November 1965. Major Bruce P. Crandall's UH-1D helicopter climbs skyward after discharging a load of infantrymen on a search and destroy mission. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
President Bush presents the Medal of Honor to retired Army Lt. Col. Bruce P. Crandall in the East Room of the White House on February 26, 2008, for his extraordinary heroism as a 1st Cavalry helicopter pilot and commander in the Republic of Vietnam in November 1965. Photo Credit: White House.org
Bruce Perry Crandall (born February 17, 1933) is a retired United States Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions as a pilot during the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14, 1965, in South Vietnam. During the battle, he flew 22 missions in a Bell Huey helicopter into enemy fire to evacuate more than 70 wounded and bring ammunition and supplies to United States forces. His actions in the battle of the Ia Drang valley were portrayed by actor Greg Kinnear in the Mel Gibson film, We Were Soldiers. By the end of the Vietnam War, he had flown more than 900 combat missions. He retired from the army as a lieutenant colonel and worked several jobs in different states before settling down with his wife in his home state of Washington. Photo Credit: United States Army

Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley (Sam Elliott)

Basil Leonard Plumley (January 1, 1920 – October 10, 2012) was a career soldier and airborne combat Infantryman in the United States Army who rose to the rank of Command Sergeant Major. As a combat veteran of World War II and the Vietnam War, he is most noted for his actions during the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam. Plumley enlisted in the United States Army as a Private on March 31, 1942. He was a Gliderman of the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. He saw action during the Invasion of Normandy and Operation Market Garden. Plumley participated in two glider assaults in the European Theater. His first was on June 6, 1944, during the Invasion of Normandy, and his second was for Operation Market Garden on Sept. 18, 1944. Plumley was shot in the hand the same day for which he received the Purple Heart and was awarded multiple decorations for his service in World War II. During the Korean War, Plumley fought as the member of 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He fought in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. He participated in the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam in 1965, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, who praised Plumley as an outstanding NCO and leader in the 1992 book about this battle, We Were Soldiers Once… and Young. The book was the basis for the 2002 film We Were Soldiers, in which Plumley was played by actor Sam Elliott. Plumley was known affectionately by his soldiers as "Old Iron Jaw". Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley served in the Republic of Korea between 1952 and 1953. He retired as a Command Sergeant Major on December 31, 1974, having been awarded 28 different personal, unit, campaign and service awards and decorations in almost 33 years of military service, spanning World War II and the Vietnam War. After his retirement, he worked 15 more years for the army as a civilian in administration at Martin Army Community Hospital and at various medical clinics around Fort Benning, Georgia, retiring again in 1990. Photo Credit: Uniteed States Army

 Sergeant Major Basil L. Plumley was a legendary figure in the United States Army, known for his toughness and combat experience. Born on January 1, 1920, Plumley served in World War II and the Korean War before joining the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. His stoic demeanor and unwavering bravery were inspirational to the men under his command. Plumley’s actions during the Battle of Ia Drang, where he provided steadfast leadership and support, were integral to the battalion’s efforts. He retired as a command sergeant major and passed away in 2012.

Lt. Col. Hal Moore and Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley during the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965. Photo Credit: United States Army
Basil Leonard Plumley (January 1, 1920 – October 10, 2012) was a career soldier and airborne combat Infantryman in the United States Army who rose to the rank of Command Sergeant Major. As a combat veteran of World War II and the Vietnam War, he is most noted for his actions during the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam. Plumley enlisted in the United States Army as a Private on March 31, 1942. He was a Gliderman of the 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. He saw action during the Invasion of Normandy and Operation Market Garden. Plumley participated in two glider assaults in the European Theater. His first was on June 6, 1944, during the Invasion of Normandy, and his second was for Operation Market Garden on Sept. 18, 1944. Plumley was shot in the hand the same day for which he received the Purple Heart and was awarded multiple decorations for his service in World War II. During the Korean War, Plumley fought as the member of 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He fought in Vietnam with the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. He participated in the Battle of Ia Drang in Vietnam in 1965, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, who praised Plumley as an outstanding NCO and leader in the 1992 book about this battle, We Were Soldiers Once… and Young. The book was the basis for the 2002 film We Were Soldiers, in which Plumley was played by actor Sam Elliott. Plumley was known affectionately by his soldiers as "Old Iron Jaw". Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley served in the Republic of Korea between 1952 and 1953. He retired as a Command Sergeant Major on December 31, 1974, having been awarded 28 different personal, unit, campaign and service awards and decorations in almost 33 years of military service, spanning World War II and the Vietnam War. After his retirement, he worked 15 more years for the army as a civilian in administration at Martin Army Community Hospital and at various medical clinics around Fort Benning, Georgia, retiring again in 1990. Photo Credit: Uniteed States Army
Lt. Col. Hal Moore and Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley during the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965. Photo Credit: United States Army
Lt. Col. Hal Moore and Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley at Vietnam Tribute memorial. Photo Credit: United States Army
Sam Elliott and Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley at at an event for "We Were Soldiers, Elliott portrays Plumley in the film. Photo Credit: Associated Press

2nd Lt. Jack Geoghegan (Chris Klein)

John Lance Jack Geoghegan was an outstanding alumnus of Pennsylvania Military College. William S. Biddle, who served as Geoghegan's Commandant called him ..one of Pennsylvania Military College's most promising sons. He clearly lived up to this praise in his military leadership, academics, service, and bravery in Vietnam. Sadly, he made the ultimate sacrifice; he was fatally wounded as he tired to help a fellow soldier during one of the first battles of the Vietnam War, in the Ia Drang Valley. He died, as he lived, in service to others and his country. Jack Geoghegan entered Pennsylvania Military College in 1959. Early on he demonstrated military skill, receiving several leadership appointments and awards. As a sophomore, he was appointed Corporal. As a Junior, he was appointed Brigade Sergeant Major and received the Army and Navy Legion of Valor Bronze Cross. Geoghegan earned this award in recognition of being chosen, among 33 Colleges and Universities that offered ROTC programs, the Outstanding Junior Class Cadet in the XXI U.S. Army Corps Area. As a senior his excellence in military leadership was again recognized, as he was appointed Brigade Commander. Geoghegan held leadership roles outside of the military sphere as well. During his junior and senior years, he served as class president. He used this position to promote the unique education that he received at PMC. During a Talk to Candidates in 1963, he clearly displays his pride in the college and the ideals that were ingrained in him. He stressed that the two most important values he gained from military training at PMC were confidence and leadership. He would remain dedicated to these ideals throughout his short life. Following his graduation from PMC, Geoghegan choose to attend graduate school before starting military service. He went to the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Master's Degree in International Relations. Continuing his dedication to service and as background for his research toward his graduate degree, Geoghegan went to East Africa where he, and his wife, worked for Catholic Relief Services. Geoghegan worked in Africa from the summer of 1964 until the early part of 1965. He used the experiences he gained working with the people in Tanzania as the basis for his Master's Thesis. Working in East Africa made such an impression on him, that he and his wife planned to return to the Congo. As military service intervened, Geoghegan returned to the United States and started basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 1st Calvary (Air Mobile) Division and prepared for deployment in Vietnam. He left for Vietnam in September as a platoon leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary. A letter that Geoghegan wrote to General Biddle demonstrates that the former cadet still followed the principles that made him such an effective leader at PMC. It is also clear that he maintained a strong commitment to supporting his country at all costs: The experience which I'm presently going through has already made a great change in my life. The swing of life and death everyday cannot help but leave an impression in one's mind. My platoon has been very successful and many members have exhibited a great deal of courage. I'm very proud of my men and the position I hold...It is my hope that each and every cadet takes his army career as a great challenge... Sadly, this was a challenge that Geoghegan would ultimately lose, as he was fatally wounded on November 15, 1965 in the Ia Drang Valley. All accounts from that battle depict Geoghegan as a courageous soldier who led his platoon through a treacherous situation and gave his life in the effort to help a wounded soldier. He demonstrated the courage with leadership, which he learned at PMC, as he faced the most desperate situation. General Hal Moore, Geoghegan's commander at the Ia Drang battle, described Geoghegan's action on that day: When I think of 2nd lieutenant Jack Geoghegan, two words come into my head, COURAGE and LOYALTY. On that terrible morning; 15 November 1965 when my under strength battalion was assaulted from three directions, the brunt fell like a mammoth sledge hammer on two platoons of C Co.; one of which was led by Jack Geoghegan. In the ensuing firestorm Willie Godboldt, a rifleman in Jack's platoon, was shot and hollered for help. In contempt of danger and in extreme jeopardy Jack rose from cover, in the sheets of fire and ran to help his wounded trooper. His young life, and Godboldt's were ended almost immediately. For his heroism in that battle, Geoghegan was posthumously awarded three medals: The Bronze Star by the United States, as well as the National Order, 5th Class and the Gallantry Cross with Palm, by the Republic of South Vietnam. He received countless tributes by Pennsylvania Military College. Geoghegan's heroism in the Battle of Ia Drang was also depicted in the book We were soldiers once -and young : Ia Drang, the battle that changed the war in Vietnam by Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway, published in 1992. In 2002, Paramount Studios released the motion picture We Were Soldiers, which was based upon the 1992 bestseller. All tributes highlight the leadership, integrity, courage and determination that John Lance Geoghegan displayed. Clearly, this makes him a preeminent example of what Pennsylvania Military College stood for and the values that the graduates gained from this institution. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG; PDF Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives. Item Description Title Talk to Candidates, 1963. Subject Alumni Description Good Afternoon ladies and gentleman and respected candidates of the college. My purpose this afternoon is to talk to the young gentleman who may not come here, in what I feel that they will gain in coming to Pennsylvania Military College, what I have gained and what my fellow classmates have gained....There is one degree that you are going to receive...that I feel you will not gain anywhere else. That is the degree of leadership. That is what Pennsylvania Military College has that most colleges in the United States do not have...At Pennsylvania Military College from 6:30 in the morning until everybody is in bed and sometimes it is 2 0'clock. It is a long day and a lot of hard work, but I think that you all know and all realize that anything in this world that you want is only gained through hard work...You are forced to grow up the first day you are here. Confidence is part of this leadership. If you want summer camp, 2100 cadets from colleges for every part of the United States and as far away as California, college leaders...In my class...we came out tops in summer camp. The year before that the class came out tops then. Why? Not so much the we knew much more, but it was the confidence, the thing that you know you need in the field, it is a matter of pride not to be wrong, but I feel it is a sincere pride in traditions no matter what you do...I did want to stress those two things, confidence with leadership! These are the two things which you gain. I will get a degree on June 2 and my classmates will get theirs, but I feel that those two points are as important. Thank you very much for coming. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives.

 Second Lieutenant John Lance “Jack” Geoghegan was a young officer who displayed remarkable bravery and selflessness during the Battle of Ia Drang. Born on November 10, 1941, Geoghegan graduated from West Point in 1963. His actions during the battle, where he was killed while attempting to rescue a fellow soldier, exemplified his dedication and heroism. Geoghegan was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his valor. His story is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by young officers during the Vietnam War.

John Lance Jack Geoghegan was an outstanding alumnus of Pennsylvania Military College. William S. Biddle, who served as Geoghegan's Commandant called him ..one of Pennsylvania Military College's most promising sons. He clearly lived up to this praise in his military leadership, academics, service, and bravery in Vietnam. Sadly, he made the ultimate sacrifice; he was fatally wounded as he tired to help a fellow soldier during one of the first battles of the Vietnam War, in the Ia Drang Valley. He died, as he lived, in service to others and his country. Jack Geoghegan entered Pennsylvania Military College in 1959. Early on he demonstrated military skill, receiving several leadership appointments and awards. As a sophomore, he was appointed Corporal. As a Junior, he was appointed Brigade Sergeant Major and received the Army and Navy Legion of Valor Bronze Cross. Geoghegan earned this award in recognition of being chosen, among 33 Colleges and Universities that offered ROTC programs, the Outstanding Junior Class Cadet in the XXI U.S. Army Corps Area. As a senior his excellence in military leadership was again recognized, as he was appointed Brigade Commander. Geoghegan held leadership roles outside of the military sphere as well. During his junior and senior years, he served as class president. He used this position to promote the unique education that he received at PMC. During a Talk to Candidates in 1963, he clearly displays his pride in the college and the ideals that were ingrained in him. He stressed that the two most important values he gained from military training at PMC were confidence and leadership. He would remain dedicated to these ideals throughout his short life. Following his graduation from PMC, Geoghegan choose to attend graduate school before starting military service. He went to the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Master's Degree in International Relations. Continuing his dedication to service and as background for his research toward his graduate degree, Geoghegan went to East Africa where he, and his wife, worked for Catholic Relief Services. Geoghegan worked in Africa from the summer of 1964 until the early part of 1965. He used the experiences he gained working with the people in Tanzania as the basis for his Master's Thesis. Working in East Africa made such an impression on him, that he and his wife planned to return to the Congo. As military service intervened, Geoghegan returned to the United States and started basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 1st Calvary (Air Mobile) Division and prepared for deployment in Vietnam. He left for Vietnam in September as a platoon leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary. A letter that Geoghegan wrote to General Biddle demonstrates that the former cadet still followed the principles that made him such an effective leader at PMC. It is also clear that he maintained a strong commitment to supporting his country at all costs: The experience which I'm presently going through has already made a great change in my life. The swing of life and death everyday cannot help but leave an impression in one's mind. My platoon has been very successful and many members have exhibited a great deal of courage. I'm very proud of my men and the position I hold...It is my hope that each and every cadet takes his army career as a great challenge... Sadly, this was a challenge that Geoghegan would ultimately lose, as he was fatally wounded on November 15, 1965 in the Ia Drang Valley. All accounts from that battle depict Geoghegan as a courageous soldier who led his platoon through a treacherous situation and gave his life in the effort to help a wounded soldier. He demonstrated the courage with leadership, which he learned at PMC, as he faced the most desperate situation. General Hal Moore, Geoghegan's commander at the Ia Drang battle, described Geoghegan's action on that day: When I think of 2nd lieutenant Jack Geoghegan, two words come into my head, COURAGE and LOYALTY. On that terrible morning; 15 November 1965 when my under strength battalion was assaulted from three directions, the brunt fell like a mammoth sledge hammer on two platoons of C Co.; one of which was led by Jack Geoghegan. In the ensuing firestorm Willie Godboldt, a rifleman in Jack's platoon, was shot and hollered for help. In contempt of danger and in extreme jeopardy Jack rose from cover, in the sheets of fire and ran to help his wounded trooper. His young life, and Godboldt's were ended almost immediately. For his heroism in that battle, Geoghegan was posthumously awarded three medals: The Bronze Star by the United States, as well as the National Order, 5th Class and the Gallantry Cross with Palm, by the Republic of South Vietnam. He received countless tributes by Pennsylvania Military College. Geoghegan's heroism in the Battle of Ia Drang was also depicted in the book We were soldiers once -and young : Ia Drang, the battle that changed the war in Vietnam by Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway, published in 1992. In 2002, Paramount Studios released the motion picture We Were Soldiers, which was based upon the 1992 bestseller. All tributes highlight the leadership, integrity, courage and determination that John Lance Geoghegan displayed. Clearly, this makes him a preeminent example of what Pennsylvania Military College stood for and the values that the graduates gained from this institution. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG; PDF Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives. Item Description Title Talk to Candidates, 1963. Subject Alumni Description Good Afternoon ladies and gentleman and respected candidates of the college. My purpose this afternoon is to talk to the young gentleman who may not come here, in what I feel that they will gain in coming to Pennsylvania Military College, what I have gained and what my fellow classmates have gained....There is one degree that you are going to receive...that I feel you will not gain anywhere else. That is the degree of leadership. That is what Pennsylvania Military College has that most colleges in the United States do not have...At Pennsylvania Military College from 6:30 in the morning until everybody is in bed and sometimes it is 2 0'clock. It is a long day and a lot of hard work, but I think that you all know and all realize that anything in this world that you want is only gained through hard work...You are forced to grow up the first day you are here. Confidence is part of this leadership. If you want summer camp, 2100 cadets from colleges for every part of the United States and as far away as California, college leaders...In my class...we came out tops in summer camp. The year before that the class came out tops then. Why? Not so much the we knew much more, but it was the confidence, the thing that you know you need in the field, it is a matter of pride not to be wrong, but I feel it is a sincere pride in traditions no matter what you do...I did want to stress those two things, confidence with leadership! These are the two things which you gain. I will get a degree on June 2 and my classmates will get theirs, but I feel that those two points are as important. Thank you very much for coming. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives.
John Lance Jack Geoghegan was an outstanding alumnus of Pennsylvania Military College. William S. Biddle, who served as Geoghegan's Commandant called him ..one of Pennsylvania Military College's most promising sons. He clearly lived up to this praise in his military leadership, academics, service, and bravery in Vietnam. Sadly, he made the ultimate sacrifice; he was fatally wounded as he tired to help a fellow soldier during one of the first battles of the Vietnam War, in the Ia Drang Valley. He died, as he lived, in service to others and his country. Jack Geoghegan entered Pennsylvania Military College in 1959. Early on he demonstrated military skill, receiving several leadership appointments and awards. As a sophomore, he was appointed Corporal. As a Junior, he was appointed Brigade Sergeant Major and received the Army and Navy Legion of Valor Bronze Cross. Geoghegan earned this award in recognition of being chosen, among 33 Colleges and Universities that offered ROTC programs, the Outstanding Junior Class Cadet in the XXI U.S. Army Corps Area. As a senior his excellence in military leadership was again recognized, as he was appointed Brigade Commander. Geoghegan held leadership roles outside of the military sphere as well. During his junior and senior years, he served as class president. He used this position to promote the unique education that he received at PMC. During a Talk to Candidates in 1963, he clearly displays his pride in the college and the ideals that were ingrained in him. He stressed that the two most important values he gained from military training at PMC were confidence and leadership. He would remain dedicated to these ideals throughout his short life. Following his graduation from PMC, Geoghegan choose to attend graduate school before starting military service. He went to the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Master's Degree in International Relations. Continuing his dedication to service and as background for his research toward his graduate degree, Geoghegan went to East Africa where he, and his wife, worked for Catholic Relief Services. Geoghegan worked in Africa from the summer of 1964 until the early part of 1965. He used the experiences he gained working with the people in Tanzania as the basis for his Master's Thesis. Working in East Africa made such an impression on him, that he and his wife planned to return to the Congo. As military service intervened, Geoghegan returned to the United States and started basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 1st Calvary (Air Mobile) Division and prepared for deployment in Vietnam. He left for Vietnam in September as a platoon leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary. A letter that Geoghegan wrote to General Biddle demonstrates that the former cadet still followed the principles that made him such an effective leader at PMC. It is also clear that he maintained a strong commitment to supporting his country at all costs: The experience which I'm presently going through has already made a great change in my life. The swing of life and death everyday cannot help but leave an impression in one's mind. My platoon has been very successful and many members have exhibited a great deal of courage. I'm very proud of my men and the position I hold...It is my hope that each and every cadet takes his army career as a great challenge... Sadly, this was a challenge that Geoghegan would ultimately lose, as he was fatally wounded on November 15, 1965 in the Ia Drang Valley. All accounts from that battle depict Geoghegan as a courageous soldier who led his platoon through a treacherous situation and gave his life in the effort to help a wounded soldier. He demonstrated the courage with leadership, which he learned at PMC, as he faced the most desperate situation. General Hal Moore, Geoghegan's commander at the Ia Drang battle, described Geoghegan's action on that day: When I think of 2nd lieutenant Jack Geoghegan, two words come into my head, COURAGE and LOYALTY. On that terrible morning; 15 November 1965 when my under strength battalion was assaulted from three directions, the brunt fell like a mammoth sledge hammer on two platoons of C Co.; one of which was led by Jack Geoghegan. In the ensuing firestorm Willie Godboldt, a rifleman in Jack's platoon, was shot and hollered for help. In contempt of danger and in extreme jeopardy Jack rose from cover, in the sheets of fire and ran to help his wounded trooper. His young life, and Godboldt's were ended almost immediately. For his heroism in that battle, Geoghegan was posthumously awarded three medals: The Bronze Star by the United States, as well as the National Order, 5th Class and the Gallantry Cross with Palm, by the Republic of South Vietnam. He received countless tributes by Pennsylvania Military College. Geoghegan's heroism in the Battle of Ia Drang was also depicted in the book We were soldiers once -and young : Ia Drang, the battle that changed the war in Vietnam by Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway, published in 1992. In 2002, Paramount Studios released the motion picture We Were Soldiers, which was based upon the 1992 bestseller. All tributes highlight the leadership, integrity, courage and determination that John Lance Geoghegan displayed. Clearly, this makes him a preeminent example of what Pennsylvania Military College stood for and the values that the graduates gained from this institution. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG; PDF Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives. Item Description Title Talk to Candidates, 1963. Subject Alumni Description Good Afternoon ladies and gentleman and respected candidates of the college. My purpose this afternoon is to talk to the young gentleman who may not come here, in what I feel that they will gain in coming to Pennsylvania Military College, what I have gained and what my fellow classmates have gained....There is one degree that you are going to receive...that I feel you will not gain anywhere else. That is the degree of leadership. That is what Pennsylvania Military College has that most colleges in the United States do not have...At Pennsylvania Military College from 6:30 in the morning until everybody is in bed and sometimes it is 2 0'clock. It is a long day and a lot of hard work, but I think that you all know and all realize that anything in this world that you want is only gained through hard work...You are forced to grow up the first day you are here. Confidence is part of this leadership. If you want summer camp, 2100 cadets from colleges for every part of the United States and as far away as California, college leaders...In my class...we came out tops in summer camp. The year before that the class came out tops then. Why? Not so much the we knew much more, but it was the confidence, the thing that you know you need in the field, it is a matter of pride not to be wrong, but I feel it is a sincere pride in traditions no matter what you do...I did want to stress those two things, confidence with leadership! These are the two things which you gain. I will get a degree on June 2 and my classmates will get theirs, but I feel that those two points are as important. Thank you very much for coming. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives.
John Lance Jack Geoghegan was an outstanding alumnus of Pennsylvania Military College. William S. Biddle, who served as Geoghegan's Commandant called him ..one of Pennsylvania Military College's most promising sons. He clearly lived up to this praise in his military leadership, academics, service, and bravery in Vietnam. Sadly, he made the ultimate sacrifice; he was fatally wounded as he tired to help a fellow soldier during one of the first battles of the Vietnam War, in the Ia Drang Valley. He died, as he lived, in service to others and his country. Jack Geoghegan entered Pennsylvania Military College in 1959. Early on he demonstrated military skill, receiving several leadership appointments and awards. As a sophomore, he was appointed Corporal. As a Junior, he was appointed Brigade Sergeant Major and received the Army and Navy Legion of Valor Bronze Cross. Geoghegan earned this award in recognition of being chosen, among 33 Colleges and Universities that offered ROTC programs, the Outstanding Junior Class Cadet in the XXI U.S. Army Corps Area. As a senior his excellence in military leadership was again recognized, as he was appointed Brigade Commander. Geoghegan held leadership roles outside of the military sphere as well. During his junior and senior years, he served as class president. He used this position to promote the unique education that he received at PMC. During a Talk to Candidates in 1963, he clearly displays his pride in the college and the ideals that were ingrained in him. He stressed that the two most important values he gained from military training at PMC were confidence and leadership. He would remain dedicated to these ideals throughout his short life. Following his graduation from PMC, Geoghegan choose to attend graduate school before starting military service. He went to the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Master's Degree in International Relations. Continuing his dedication to service and as background for his research toward his graduate degree, Geoghegan went to East Africa where he, and his wife, worked for Catholic Relief Services. Geoghegan worked in Africa from the summer of 1964 until the early part of 1965. He used the experiences he gained working with the people in Tanzania as the basis for his Master's Thesis. Working in East Africa made such an impression on him, that he and his wife planned to return to the Congo. As military service intervened, Geoghegan returned to the United States and started basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 1st Calvary (Air Mobile) Division and prepared for deployment in Vietnam. He left for Vietnam in September as a platoon leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary. A letter that Geoghegan wrote to General Biddle demonstrates that the former cadet still followed the principles that made him such an effective leader at PMC. It is also clear that he maintained a strong commitment to supporting his country at all costs: The experience which I'm presently going through has already made a great change in my life. The swing of life and death everyday cannot help but leave an impression in one's mind. My platoon has been very successful and many members have exhibited a great deal of courage. I'm very proud of my men and the position I hold...It is my hope that each and every cadet takes his army career as a great challenge... Sadly, this was a challenge that Geoghegan would ultimately lose, as he was fatally wounded on November 15, 1965 in the Ia Drang Valley. All accounts from that battle depict Geoghegan as a courageous soldier who led his platoon through a treacherous situation and gave his life in the effort to help a wounded soldier. He demonstrated the courage with leadership, which he learned at PMC, as he faced the most desperate situation. General Hal Moore, Geoghegan's commander at the Ia Drang battle, described Geoghegan's action on that day: When I think of 2nd lieutenant Jack Geoghegan, two words come into my head, COURAGE and LOYALTY. On that terrible morning; 15 November 1965 when my under strength battalion was assaulted from three directions, the brunt fell like a mammoth sledge hammer on two platoons of C Co.; one of which was led by Jack Geoghegan. In the ensuing firestorm Willie Godboldt, a rifleman in Jack's platoon, was shot and hollered for help. In contempt of danger and in extreme jeopardy Jack rose from cover, in the sheets of fire and ran to help his wounded trooper. His young life, and Godboldt's were ended almost immediately. For his heroism in that battle, Geoghegan was posthumously awarded three medals: The Bronze Star by the United States, as well as the National Order, 5th Class and the Gallantry Cross with Palm, by the Republic of South Vietnam. He received countless tributes by Pennsylvania Military College. Geoghegan's heroism in the Battle of Ia Drang was also depicted in the book We were soldiers once -and young : Ia Drang, the battle that changed the war in Vietnam by Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway, published in 1992. In 2002, Paramount Studios released the motion picture We Were Soldiers, which was based upon the 1992 bestseller. All tributes highlight the leadership, integrity, courage and determination that John Lance Geoghegan displayed. Clearly, this makes him a preeminent example of what Pennsylvania Military College stood for and the values that the graduates gained from this institution. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG; PDF Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives. Item Description Title Talk to Candidates, 1963. Subject Alumni Description Good Afternoon ladies and gentleman and respected candidates of the college. My purpose this afternoon is to talk to the young gentleman who may not come here, in what I feel that they will gain in coming to Pennsylvania Military College, what I have gained and what my fellow classmates have gained....There is one degree that you are going to receive...that I feel you will not gain anywhere else. That is the degree of leadership. That is what Pennsylvania Military College has that most colleges in the United States do not have...At Pennsylvania Military College from 6:30 in the morning until everybody is in bed and sometimes it is 2 0'clock. It is a long day and a lot of hard work, but I think that you all know and all realize that anything in this world that you want is only gained through hard work...You are forced to grow up the first day you are here. Confidence is part of this leadership. If you want summer camp, 2100 cadets from colleges for every part of the United States and as far away as California, college leaders...In my class...we came out tops in summer camp. The year before that the class came out tops then. Why? Not so much the we knew much more, but it was the confidence, the thing that you know you need in the field, it is a matter of pride not to be wrong, but I feel it is a sincere pride in traditions no matter what you do...I did want to stress those two things, confidence with leadership! These are the two things which you gain. I will get a degree on June 2 and my classmates will get theirs, but I feel that those two points are as important. Thank you very much for coming. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives.
John Lance Jack Geoghegan was an outstanding alumnus of Pennsylvania Military College. William S. Biddle, who served as Geoghegan's Commandant called him ..one of Pennsylvania Military College's most promising sons. He clearly lived up to this praise in his military leadership, academics, service, and bravery in Vietnam. Sadly, he made the ultimate sacrifice; he was fatally wounded as he tired to help a fellow soldier during one of the first battles of the Vietnam War, in the Ia Drang Valley. He died, as he lived, in service to others and his country. Jack Geoghegan entered Pennsylvania Military College in 1959. Early on he demonstrated military skill, receiving several leadership appointments and awards. As a sophomore, he was appointed Corporal. As a Junior, he was appointed Brigade Sergeant Major and received the Army and Navy Legion of Valor Bronze Cross. Geoghegan earned this award in recognition of being chosen, among 33 Colleges and Universities that offered ROTC programs, the Outstanding Junior Class Cadet in the XXI U.S. Army Corps Area. As a senior his excellence in military leadership was again recognized, as he was appointed Brigade Commander. Geoghegan held leadership roles outside of the military sphere as well. During his junior and senior years, he served as class president. He used this position to promote the unique education that he received at PMC. During a Talk to Candidates in 1963, he clearly displays his pride in the college and the ideals that were ingrained in him. He stressed that the two most important values he gained from military training at PMC were confidence and leadership. He would remain dedicated to these ideals throughout his short life. Following his graduation from PMC, Geoghegan choose to attend graduate school before starting military service. He went to the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Master's Degree in International Relations. Continuing his dedication to service and as background for his research toward his graduate degree, Geoghegan went to East Africa where he, and his wife, worked for Catholic Relief Services. Geoghegan worked in Africa from the summer of 1964 until the early part of 1965. He used the experiences he gained working with the people in Tanzania as the basis for his Master's Thesis. Working in East Africa made such an impression on him, that he and his wife planned to return to the Congo. As military service intervened, Geoghegan returned to the United States and started basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 1st Calvary (Air Mobile) Division and prepared for deployment in Vietnam. He left for Vietnam in September as a platoon leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary. A letter that Geoghegan wrote to General Biddle demonstrates that the former cadet still followed the principles that made him such an effective leader at PMC. It is also clear that he maintained a strong commitment to supporting his country at all costs: The experience which I'm presently going through has already made a great change in my life. The swing of life and death everyday cannot help but leave an impression in one's mind. My platoon has been very successful and many members have exhibited a great deal of courage. I'm very proud of my men and the position I hold...It is my hope that each and every cadet takes his army career as a great challenge... Sadly, this was a challenge that Geoghegan would ultimately lose, as he was fatally wounded on November 15, 1965 in the Ia Drang Valley. All accounts from that battle depict Geoghegan as a courageous soldier who led his platoon through a treacherous situation and gave his life in the effort to help a wounded soldier. He demonstrated the courage with leadership, which he learned at PMC, as he faced the most desperate situation. General Hal Moore, Geoghegan's commander at the Ia Drang battle, described Geoghegan's action on that day: When I think of 2nd lieutenant Jack Geoghegan, two words come into my head, COURAGE and LOYALTY. On that terrible morning; 15 November 1965 when my under strength battalion was assaulted from three directions, the brunt fell like a mammoth sledge hammer on two platoons of C Co.; one of which was led by Jack Geoghegan. In the ensuing firestorm Willie Godboldt, a rifleman in Jack's platoon, was shot and hollered for help. In contempt of danger and in extreme jeopardy Jack rose from cover, in the sheets of fire and ran to help his wounded trooper. His young life, and Godboldt's were ended almost immediately. For his heroism in that battle, Geoghegan was posthumously awarded three medals: The Bronze Star by the United States, as well as the National Order, 5th Class and the Gallantry Cross with Palm, by the Republic of South Vietnam. He received countless tributes by Pennsylvania Military College. Geoghegan's heroism in the Battle of Ia Drang was also depicted in the book We were soldiers once -and young : Ia Drang, the battle that changed the war in Vietnam by Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway, published in 1992. In 2002, Paramount Studios released the motion picture We Were Soldiers, which was based upon the 1992 bestseller. All tributes highlight the leadership, integrity, courage and determination that John Lance Geoghegan displayed. Clearly, this makes him a preeminent example of what Pennsylvania Military College stood for and the values that the graduates gained from this institution. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG; PDF Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives. Item Description Title Talk to Candidates, 1963. Subject Alumni Description Good Afternoon ladies and gentleman and respected candidates of the college. My purpose this afternoon is to talk to the young gentleman who may not come here, in what I feel that they will gain in coming to Pennsylvania Military College, what I have gained and what my fellow classmates have gained....There is one degree that you are going to receive...that I feel you will not gain anywhere else. That is the degree of leadership. That is what Pennsylvania Military College has that most colleges in the United States do not have...At Pennsylvania Military College from 6:30 in the morning until everybody is in bed and sometimes it is 2 0'clock. It is a long day and a lot of hard work, but I think that you all know and all realize that anything in this world that you want is only gained through hard work...You are forced to grow up the first day you are here. Confidence is part of this leadership. If you want summer camp, 2100 cadets from colleges for every part of the United States and as far away as California, college leaders...In my class...we came out tops in summer camp. The year before that the class came out tops then. Why? Not so much the we knew much more, but it was the confidence, the thing that you know you need in the field, it is a matter of pride not to be wrong, but I feel it is a sincere pride in traditions no matter what you do...I did want to stress those two things, confidence with leadership! These are the two things which you gain. I will get a degree on June 2 and my classmates will get theirs, but I feel that those two points are as important. Thank you very much for coming. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives.
John Lance Jack Geoghegan was an outstanding alumnus of Pennsylvania Military College. William S. Biddle, who served as Geoghegan's Commandant called him ..one of Pennsylvania Military College's most promising sons. He clearly lived up to this praise in his military leadership, academics, service, and bravery in Vietnam. Sadly, he made the ultimate sacrifice; he was fatally wounded as he tired to help a fellow soldier during one of the first battles of the Vietnam War, in the Ia Drang Valley. He died, as he lived, in service to others and his country. Jack Geoghegan entered Pennsylvania Military College in 1959. Early on he demonstrated military skill, receiving several leadership appointments and awards. As a sophomore, he was appointed Corporal. As a Junior, he was appointed Brigade Sergeant Major and received the Army and Navy Legion of Valor Bronze Cross. Geoghegan earned this award in recognition of being chosen, among 33 Colleges and Universities that offered ROTC programs, the Outstanding Junior Class Cadet in the XXI U.S. Army Corps Area. As a senior his excellence in military leadership was again recognized, as he was appointed Brigade Commander. Geoghegan held leadership roles outside of the military sphere as well. During his junior and senior years, he served as class president. He used this position to promote the unique education that he received at PMC. During a Talk to Candidates in 1963, he clearly displays his pride in the college and the ideals that were ingrained in him. He stressed that the two most important values he gained from military training at PMC were confidence and leadership. He would remain dedicated to these ideals throughout his short life. Following his graduation from PMC, Geoghegan choose to attend graduate school before starting military service. He went to the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Master's Degree in International Relations. Continuing his dedication to service and as background for his research toward his graduate degree, Geoghegan went to East Africa where he, and his wife, worked for Catholic Relief Services. Geoghegan worked in Africa from the summer of 1964 until the early part of 1965. He used the experiences he gained working with the people in Tanzania as the basis for his Master's Thesis. Working in East Africa made such an impression on him, that he and his wife planned to return to the Congo. As military service intervened, Geoghegan returned to the United States and started basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 1st Calvary (Air Mobile) Division and prepared for deployment in Vietnam. He left for Vietnam in September as a platoon leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary. A letter that Geoghegan wrote to General Biddle demonstrates that the former cadet still followed the principles that made him such an effective leader at PMC. It is also clear that he maintained a strong commitment to supporting his country at all costs: The experience which I'm presently going through has already made a great change in my life. The swing of life and death everyday cannot help but leave an impression in one's mind. My platoon has been very successful and many members have exhibited a great deal of courage. I'm very proud of my men and the position I hold...It is my hope that each and every cadet takes his army career as a great challenge... Sadly, this was a challenge that Geoghegan would ultimately lose, as he was fatally wounded on November 15, 1965 in the Ia Drang Valley. All accounts from that battle depict Geoghegan as a courageous soldier who led his platoon through a treacherous situation and gave his life in the effort to help a wounded soldier. He demonstrated the courage with leadership, which he learned at PMC, as he faced the most desperate situation. General Hal Moore, Geoghegan's commander at the Ia Drang battle, described Geoghegan's action on that day: When I think of 2nd lieutenant Jack Geoghegan, two words come into my head, COURAGE and LOYALTY. On that terrible morning; 15 November 1965 when my under strength battalion was assaulted from three directions, the brunt fell like a mammoth sledge hammer on two platoons of C Co.; one of which was led by Jack Geoghegan. In the ensuing firestorm Willie Godboldt, a rifleman in Jack's platoon, was shot and hollered for help. In contempt of danger and in extreme jeopardy Jack rose from cover, in the sheets of fire and ran to help his wounded trooper. His young life, and Godboldt's were ended almost immediately. For his heroism in that battle, Geoghegan was posthumously awarded three medals: The Bronze Star by the United States, as well as the National Order, 5th Class and the Gallantry Cross with Palm, by the Republic of South Vietnam. He received countless tributes by Pennsylvania Military College. Geoghegan's heroism in the Battle of Ia Drang was also depicted in the book We were soldiers once -and young : Ia Drang, the battle that changed the war in Vietnam by Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway, published in 1992. In 2002, Paramount Studios released the motion picture We Were Soldiers, which was based upon the 1992 bestseller. All tributes highlight the leadership, integrity, courage and determination that John Lance Geoghegan displayed. Clearly, this makes him a preeminent example of what Pennsylvania Military College stood for and the values that the graduates gained from this institution. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG; PDF Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives. Item Description Title Talk to Candidates, 1963. Subject Alumni Description Good Afternoon ladies and gentleman and respected candidates of the college. My purpose this afternoon is to talk to the young gentleman who may not come here, in what I feel that they will gain in coming to Pennsylvania Military College, what I have gained and what my fellow classmates have gained....There is one degree that you are going to receive...that I feel you will not gain anywhere else. That is the degree of leadership. That is what Pennsylvania Military College has that most colleges in the United States do not have...At Pennsylvania Military College from 6:30 in the morning until everybody is in bed and sometimes it is 2 0'clock. It is a long day and a lot of hard work, but I think that you all know and all realize that anything in this world that you want is only gained through hard work...You are forced to grow up the first day you are here. Confidence is part of this leadership. If you want summer camp, 2100 cadets from colleges for every part of the United States and as far away as California, college leaders...In my class...we came out tops in summer camp. The year before that the class came out tops then. Why? Not so much the we knew much more, but it was the confidence, the thing that you know you need in the field, it is a matter of pride not to be wrong, but I feel it is a sincere pride in traditions no matter what you do...I did want to stress those two things, confidence with leadership! These are the two things which you gain. I will get a degree on June 2 and my classmates will get theirs, but I feel that those two points are as important. Thank you very much for coming. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives.

Barbara Geoghegan (Keri Russell)

Barbara, Cammie, and John Lance 'Jack' Geoghegan in 1965. Photo Credit: virtual wall.org

 Barbara Weathers Geoghegan was the devoted wife of Jack Geoghegan. Her strength and resilience in the face of her husband’s death, as well as her efforts to support other military families, were commendable. Barbara Geoghegan’s experiences highlight the often-overlooked struggles of military spouses during wartime.

John Lance Jack Geoghegan was an outstanding alumnus of Pennsylvania Military College. William S. Biddle, who served as Geoghegan's Commandant called him ..one of Pennsylvania Military College's most promising sons. He clearly lived up to this praise in his military leadership, academics, service, and bravery in Vietnam. Sadly, he made the ultimate sacrifice; he was fatally wounded as he tired to help a fellow soldier during one of the first battles of the Vietnam War, in the Ia Drang Valley. He died, as he lived, in service to others and his country. Jack Geoghegan entered Pennsylvania Military College in 1959. Early on he demonstrated military skill, receiving several leadership appointments and awards. As a sophomore, he was appointed Corporal. As a Junior, he was appointed Brigade Sergeant Major and received the Army and Navy Legion of Valor Bronze Cross. Geoghegan earned this award in recognition of being chosen, among 33 Colleges and Universities that offered ROTC programs, the Outstanding Junior Class Cadet in the XXI U.S. Army Corps Area. As a senior his excellence in military leadership was again recognized, as he was appointed Brigade Commander. Geoghegan held leadership roles outside of the military sphere as well. During his junior and senior years, he served as class president. He used this position to promote the unique education that he received at PMC. During a Talk to Candidates in 1963, he clearly displays his pride in the college and the ideals that were ingrained in him. He stressed that the two most important values he gained from military training at PMC were confidence and leadership. He would remain dedicated to these ideals throughout his short life. Following his graduation from PMC, Geoghegan choose to attend graduate school before starting military service. He went to the University of Pennsylvania where he earned a Master's Degree in International Relations. Continuing his dedication to service and as background for his research toward his graduate degree, Geoghegan went to East Africa where he, and his wife, worked for Catholic Relief Services. Geoghegan worked in Africa from the summer of 1964 until the early part of 1965. He used the experiences he gained working with the people in Tanzania as the basis for his Master's Thesis. Working in East Africa made such an impression on him, that he and his wife planned to return to the Congo. As military service intervened, Geoghegan returned to the United States and started basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia. He was assigned to the 1st Calvary (Air Mobile) Division and prepared for deployment in Vietnam. He left for Vietnam in September as a platoon leader in Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Calvary. A letter that Geoghegan wrote to General Biddle demonstrates that the former cadet still followed the principles that made him such an effective leader at PMC. It is also clear that he maintained a strong commitment to supporting his country at all costs: The experience which I'm presently going through has already made a great change in my life. The swing of life and death everyday cannot help but leave an impression in one's mind. My platoon has been very successful and many members have exhibited a great deal of courage. I'm very proud of my men and the position I hold...It is my hope that each and every cadet takes his army career as a great challenge... Sadly, this was a challenge that Geoghegan would ultimately lose, as he was fatally wounded on November 15, 1965 in the Ia Drang Valley. All accounts from that battle depict Geoghegan as a courageous soldier who led his platoon through a treacherous situation and gave his life in the effort to help a wounded soldier. He demonstrated the courage with leadership, which he learned at PMC, as he faced the most desperate situation. General Hal Moore, Geoghegan's commander at the Ia Drang battle, described Geoghegan's action on that day: When I think of 2nd lieutenant Jack Geoghegan, two words come into my head, COURAGE and LOYALTY. On that terrible morning; 15 November 1965 when my under strength battalion was assaulted from three directions, the brunt fell like a mammoth sledge hammer on two platoons of C Co.; one of which was led by Jack Geoghegan. In the ensuing firestorm Willie Godboldt, a rifleman in Jack's platoon, was shot and hollered for help. In contempt of danger and in extreme jeopardy Jack rose from cover, in the sheets of fire and ran to help his wounded trooper. His young life, and Godboldt's were ended almost immediately. For his heroism in that battle, Geoghegan was posthumously awarded three medals: The Bronze Star by the United States, as well as the National Order, 5th Class and the Gallantry Cross with Palm, by the Republic of South Vietnam. He received countless tributes by Pennsylvania Military College. Geoghegan's heroism in the Battle of Ia Drang was also depicted in the book We were soldiers once -and young : Ia Drang, the battle that changed the war in Vietnam by Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway, published in 1992. In 2002, Paramount Studios released the motion picture We Were Soldiers, which was based upon the 1992 bestseller. All tributes highlight the leadership, integrity, courage and determination that John Lance Geoghegan displayed. Clearly, this makes him a preeminent example of what Pennsylvania Military College stood for and the values that the graduates gained from this institution. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG; PDF Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives. Item Description Title Talk to Candidates, 1963. Subject Alumni Description Good Afternoon ladies and gentleman and respected candidates of the college. My purpose this afternoon is to talk to the young gentleman who may not come here, in what I feel that they will gain in coming to Pennsylvania Military College, what I have gained and what my fellow classmates have gained....There is one degree that you are going to receive...that I feel you will not gain anywhere else. That is the degree of leadership. That is what Pennsylvania Military College has that most colleges in the United States do not have...At Pennsylvania Military College from 6:30 in the morning until everybody is in bed and sometimes it is 2 0'clock. It is a long day and a lot of hard work, but I think that you all know and all realize that anything in this world that you want is only gained through hard work...You are forced to grow up the first day you are here. Confidence is part of this leadership. If you want summer camp, 2100 cadets from colleges for every part of the United States and as far away as California, college leaders...In my class...we came out tops in summer camp. The year before that the class came out tops then. Why? Not so much the we knew much more, but it was the confidence, the thing that you know you need in the field, it is a matter of pride not to be wrong, but I feel it is a sincere pride in traditions no matter what you do...I did want to stress those two things, confidence with leadership! These are the two things which you gain. I will get a degree on June 2 and my classmates will get theirs, but I feel that those two points are as important. Thank you very much for coming. Institution Pennsylvania Military College Date 1963 Type Text File Format JPG Rights Management This item is owned by the Widener University Archives. The user is responsible for all copyright issues. Please credit: Widener University Archives.

Joe Galloway (Barry Pepper)

Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.

 Joseph L. Galloway was a war correspondent for United Press International (UPI) who became intimately involved in the Battle of Ia Drang. Born on November 13, 1941, Galloway was the only civilian to receive the Bronze Star for valor during the Vietnam War, awarded for rescuing wounded soldiers under fire. His firsthand account of the battle, co-authored with Hal Moore, provides a detailed and harrowing perspective on the events that unfolded. Galloway continued his career in journalism, covering conflicts around the world.

Galloway aboard a U.S. Marine H-34 helicopter enroute to an operation in I Corps, in early 1966. Credit: United States Army
Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.
Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.
Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.
Each year, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps selects one book that he believes is both relevant and timeless for reading by all Marines. The Commandant's choice for 1993 was We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young. In November 1965, some 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, only two and a half miles away, a sister battalion was chopped to pieces. Together, these actions at the landing zones X-Ray and Albany constituted one of the most savage and significant battles of the Vietnam War. How these men persevered--sacrificed themselves for their comrades and never gave up--makes a vivid portrait of war at its most inspiring and devastating. General Moore and Joseph Galloway, the only journalist on the ground throughout the fighting, have interviewed hundreds of men who fought there, including the North Vietnamese commanders. This devastating account rises above the specific ordeal it chronicles to present a picture of men facing the ultimate challenge, dealing with it in ways they would have found unimaginable only a few hours earlier. It reveals to us, as rarely before, man's most heroic and horrendous endeavor.
Moore at the United States Military Academy in May 2010. Harold Gregory Moore Jr. (February 13, 1922 – February 10, 2017) was a United States Army lieutenant general and author. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second-highest decoration for valor, and was the first of his West Point class (1945) to be promoted to brigadier general, major general, and lieutenant general. Moore is remembered as the lieutenant colonel in command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, at the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965, during the Vietnam War. The battle was detailed in the 1992 bestseller We Were Soldiers Once… and Young, co-authored by Moore and made into the film We Were Soldiers in 2002, which starred Mel Gibson as Moore; Moore was the "honorary colonel" of the regiment. Moore was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice by the National Infantry Association as well as the Distinguished Graduate Award by the West Point Association of Graduates. Photo Credit: United States Military Academy
Joseph L. Galloway in 2007. Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.

Lt. Col. Nguyễn Hữu An (Đơn Dương)

Nguyễn Hữu An with his wife Nguyễn Hữu An (October 1, 1926 – April 9, 1995) was a Vietnamese military officer in the North Vietnamese Army (PAVN) during the Vietnam War. The initial landing of Moore's battalion was met with sporadic resistance, but as more troops arrived, the intensity of the fighting quickly escalated. The PAVN, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Hữu An, had prepared for the American assault and swiftly moved to engage the incoming troops. The PAVN's strategy was to close the distance between their forces and the Americans, thereby neutralizing the effectiveness of U.S. air support and artillery. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

 Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Hữu An was a highly respected commander in the North Vietnamese Army. His leadership and tactical skills were crucial during the Battle of Ia Drang. Born in 1930, Nguyễn Hữu An had extensive combat experience, having fought in the First Indochina War and the Battle of Dien Bien Phu. His strategic acumen and determination were significant factors in the North Vietnamese Army’s efforts during the battle. He continued to serve in the military after the Vietnam War and passed away in 1995.

Nguyễn Hữu An (October 1, 1926 – April 9, 1995) was a Vietnamese military officer in the North Vietnamese Army (PAVN) during the Vietnam War. The initial landing of Moore's battalion was met with sporadic resistance, but as more troops arrived, the intensity of the fighting quickly escalated. The PAVN, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Hữu An, had prepared for the American assault and swiftly moved to engage the incoming troops. The PAVN's strategy was to close the distance between their forces and the Americans, thereby neutralizing the effectiveness of U.S. air support and artillery. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
The People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), officially the Vietnam People's Army, also recognized as the Vietnamese Army (Vietnamese: Quân đội Việt Nam, lit. 'Military of Vietnam') or the People's Army (Vietnamese: Quân đội Nhân dân), is the national military force of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the armed wing of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The PAVN is a part of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces and includes: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard and Coast Guard. Vietnam does not have a separate Ground Force or Army service. All ground troops, army corps, military districts and special forces are designated under the umbrella terms combined arms (Vietnamese: binh chủng hợp thành) and are belonged to the Ministry of National Defence, directly under the command of the CPV Central Military Commission, the Minister of National Defence, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. The military flag of the PAVN is the National flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam defaced with the motto Quyết thắng (Determination to win) added in yellow at the top left (or by the side of the flagpole) Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
American soldiers guarding North Vietnamese prisoners in the Ia Drang Valley in South Vietnam, November 15, 1965. Credit: Neil Sheehan/The New York Times
Vietnamese troops in Vietnam War quickly engaging with American troops, 1967. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
In 1994, Moore, Galloway and men who fought on both the American and North Vietnamese sides, traveled back to the remote jungle clearings where the battle took place. At the time the U.S. did not have diplomatic relations with Vietnam. The risky trip which took a year to arrange was part of an award-winning ABC News documentary, They Were Young and Brave produced by Terence Wrong. Photo Credit: ABC News

Sgt. Ernie Savage (Ryan Hurst)

Ernie Savage grew up in Alabama and enlisted in the Army in 1960. After basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas he deployed with his battle group to Korea as a machine gunner with an infantry company. He later went to the NCO Academy, and in 1964 was assigned to the 11th Air Assault at Fort Benning, Georgia. His unit left, now part of the 1st Cavalry Division, for Vietnam aboard a troop ship in August 1965. He recalls the Panama Canal, a typhoon in the Pacific, and shooting the new M16s at towed targets off the back of the USNS General Maurice Rose (T-AP-126). He remembers sleeping in pup tents at An Khe before getting wooden-floored GP tents, which was good for the termites. He discusses great leadership, the pursuit of the enemy, the battles at LZ X-ray and Bong Son, South Korean soldiers (“the best”), sharing cookies from home, a making a career of the Army. Key Words: Dien Bien Phu, Fort Riley, Kansas, battle group, Korea, 11 Bravo, Pentomic, NCO Academy, 11th Air Assault, Fort Benning, Georgia, USS Rose, Panama Canal, Cam Ranh Bay, An Khe, pup tents, termites, Combat, Paint Your Wagon, LZ X-ray, Chu Pong Mountain, mortar FO, artillery FO, Bong Son, Starlight scope, M60, Fort McClellan, Alabama

 Sergeant Ernie Savage was a soldier in the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment who demonstrated exceptional bravery during the Battle of Ia Drang. Savage took command of his platoon after his superiors were killed, effectively leading his men and holding their position under intense enemy fire. His actions were critical in preventing the platoon from being overrun. Savage’s leadership and courage were later recognized with the Distinguished Service Cross.

1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. R.C. Rescorla, Platoon Leader of 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Ia Drang Valley, Nov. 16, 1965. Photo Credit: DOD photo
The Battle of Ia Drang was the first major battle between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), as part of the Pleiku Campaign conducted early in the Vietnam War, at the eastern foot of the Chu Pong Massif in the central highlands of Vietnam, in 1965. It is notable for being the first large scale helicopter air assault and also the first use of Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers in a tactical support role. Ia Drang set the blueprint for the Vietnam War with the Americans relying on air mobility, artillery fire and close air support, while the PAVN neutralized that firepower by quickly engaging American forces at very close range. Ia Drang comprised two main engagements, centered on two helicopter landing zones (LZs), the first known as LZ X-Ray, followed by LZ Albany, farther north in the Ia Drang Valley. LZ X-Ray involved the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment and supporting units under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, and took place November 14–16, at LZ X-Ray. Surrounded and under heavy fire from a numerically superior force, the American forces were able to hold back the North Vietnamese forces over three days, largely through the support of air power and heavy artillery bombardment, which the North Vietnamese lacked. The Americans claimed LZ X-Ray as a tactical victory, citing a 10:1 kill ratio. The second engagement involved the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment plus supporting units under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Robert McDade, and took place on November 17 at LZ Albany. When an American battalion was ambushed in close quarters, who were unable to use air and artillery support due to the close engagement of the North Vietnamese, the Americans suffered an over-50% casualty rate before being extricated. Both sides claimed victory. The battle at LZ X-Ray was documented in the CBS special report Battle of Ia Drang Valley by Morley Safer and the critically acclaimed book We Were Soldiers Once... And Young by Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway. In 1994, Moore, Galloway and men who fought on both the American and North Vietnamese sides, traveled back to the remote jungle clearings where the battle took place. At the time the U.S. did not have diplomatic relations with Vietnam. The risky trip which took a year to arrange was part of an award-winning ABC News documentary, They Were Young and Brave produced by Terence Wrong. Randall Wallace depicted the battle at LZ X-Ray in the 2002 movie We Were Soldiers starring Mel Gibson and Barry Pepper as Moore and Galloway, respectively. Galloway later described Ia Drang as "the battle that convinced Ho Chi Minh he could win". Photo Credit: United States Army
The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the United States Army's second highest military decoration for soldiers who display extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations, but which do not meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor. The Army Distinguished Service Cross is equivalent to the Naval Services' Navy Cross, the Air and Space Forces' Air Force Cross, and the Coast Guard Cross. Prior to the creation of the Air Force Cross in 1960, airmen were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Capt. Tom Metsker (Clark Gregg)

Tom Metsker was a 1961 graduate of The Citadel. Tom met Catherine LaPlante on a blind date and they fell madly in love and got married. Their baby girl, Karen Doranne Metsker, was just 17 months old when Tom was killed in the Ia Drang Valley. He is featured in the book and movie "We Were Soldiers Once and Young."

 Captain Tom Metsker was an officer in the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment who played a significant role in the Battle of Ia Drang. His leadership and valor during the battle were commendable. Metsker was one of the many officers who displayed remarkable courage in the face of overwhelming odds.

Tom Metsker was a 1961 graduate of The Citadel. Tom met Catherine LaPlante on a blind date and they fell madly in love and got married. Their baby girl, Karen Doranne Metsker, was just 17 months old when Tom was killed in the Ia Drang Valley. He is featured in the book and movie "We Were Soldiers Once and Young."
Tom Metsker was a 1961 graduate of The Citadel. Tom met Catherine LaPlante on a blind date and they fell madly in love and got married. Their baby girl, Karen Doranne Metsker, was just 17 months old when Tom was killed in the Ia Drang Valley. He is featured in the book and movie "We Were Soldiers Once and Young."
Thomas and Catherine Metsker with their daughter Karen. Photo copied with permission from "We Were Soldiers Once, and Young"
Joseph Lee Galloway (November 13, 1941 – August 18, 2021) was an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. During the Vietnam War, he often worked alongside the American troops he covered and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal in 1998 for having carried a badly wounded man to safety while he was under very heavy enemy fire in 1965. From 2013 until his death, he worked as a special consultant for the Vietnam War 50th anniversary Commemoration project run out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense and has also served as consultant to Ken Burns' production of a documentary history of the Vietnam War broadcast in the fall of 2017 by PBS. He was also the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and was a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers.
Capt. Thomas Curtis Metsker during the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965. Credit: United States Army

The Battle of Ia Drang

The Battle of Ia Drang, fought between November 14 and November 18, 1965, was the first major engagement between the United States Army and the North Vietnamese Army. The battle took place in the Ia Drang Valley of the Central Highlands in Vietnam. The American forces, primarily the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), were led by Lt. Col. Hal Moore. The North Vietnamese forces were commanded by Lt. Col. Nguyễn Hữu An.

A map of the Battle of Ia Drang (1965) Photo Credit: United States Army

The battle began with the landing of American troops at Landing Zone X-Ray, where they were quickly surrounded and attacked by a much larger North Vietnamese force. The intense fighting that followed tested the resolve and ingenuity of the American soldiers. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Lt. Col. Moore and his men managed to hold their ground through a combination of tactical acumen, air support, and sheer determination.

Relief of LZ X-Ray on November 15. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons
Soldiers of the U.S. Amry 1/7th Cavalry disembark from a Bell UH-1D Huey at LZ X-Ray during the battle of Ia Drang. Photo Credit: United States Army

One of the key factors in the American defense was the heroism of helicopter pilots like Maj. Bruce Crandall, who repeatedly flew into the combat zone to deliver supplies and evacuate the wounded under heavy fire. Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley’s experience and leadership were also crucial in maintaining morale and discipline among the troops.

Lz Xray Pictures The First Major Battle of Vietnam. Photo Credit: United States Army

The battle saw acts of extraordinary bravery from soldiers like 2nd Lt. Jack Geoghegan, who sacrificed his life trying to save a wounded comrade, and Sgt. Ernie Savage, who assumed command of his platoon and successfully repelled numerous enemy assaults. Journalist Joe Galloway, who was covering the battle, put himself in harm’s way to help the wounded, exemplifying the courage and dedication of those present.

A platoon sweeps through the elephant grass firing its M-16 rifles. The 7th Cavalry’s aggressive air assault blunted a major North Vietnamese offensive. Photo Credit: United States Army

The North Vietnamese forces, under the command of Lt. Col. Nguyễn Hữu An, fought with tenacity and skill, showcasing their determination to achieve a strategic victory. Despite suffering heavy casualties, they continued to press the attack, demonstrating their commitment to the cause.

The People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN), officially the Vietnam People's Army, also recognized as the Vietnamese Army (Vietnamese: Quân đội Việt Nam, lit. 'Military of Vietnam') or the People's Army (Vietnamese: Quân đội Nhân dân), is the national military force of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the armed wing of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The PAVN is a part of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces and includes: Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Border Guard and Coast Guard. Vietnam does not have a separate Ground Force or Army service. All ground troops, army corps, military districts and special forces are designated under the umbrella terms combined arms (Vietnamese: binh chủng hợp thành) and are belonged to the Ministry of National Defence, directly under the command of the CPV Central Military Commission, the Minister of National Defence, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army. The military flag of the PAVN is the National flag of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam defaced with the motto Quyết thắng (Determination to win) added in yellow at the top left (or by the side of the flagpole) Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

The Battle of Ia Drang was a brutal and costly engagement for both sides. It highlighted the intensity of the conflict in Vietnam and foreshadowed the protracted and grueling nature of the war. The battle had significant implications for future military tactics, particularly the use of air mobility and close air support in combat operations.

PAVN and Viet Cong guerilla forces controlled much of the South Vietnamese countryside by the end of 1964. Their main military forces were based in the central highlands, mountainous, almost impassable jungle areas that made attacks from motorized vehicles ineffective. The U.S. decided to use the new tactic of air mobility assaults to hit the communists based there. The plan was to helo in a battalion-sized force and use helicopters to resupply and extract them. Heavy weapon support would come in the form of artillery, rocket fire, and close-air support aircraft. Lt. Col. Hal Moore, the commander of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, was ordered to launch an airmobile assault on November 14 and then to conduct search and destroy operations the following day. Photo Credit: United States Army

Aftermath and Legacy

The Battle of Ia Drang had a profound impact on those who survived and on the families of those who did not. Lt. Col. Hal Moore continued to serve with distinction, retiring as a lieutenant general and dedicating himself to honoring the memory of his fallen comrades. His co-authorship of We Were Soldiers Once… and Young with Joe Galloway ensured that the stories of the men who fought in the battle would be remembered and respected.

Each year, the Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps selects one book that he believes is both relevant and timeless for reading by all Marines. The Commandant's choice for 1993 was We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young. In November 1965, some 450 men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, under the command of Lt. Col. Hal Moore, were dropped by helicopter into a small clearing in the Ia Drang Valley. They were immediately surrounded by 2,000 North Vietnamese soldiers. Three days later, only two and a half miles away, a sister battalion was chopped to pieces. Together, these actions at the landing zones X-Ray and Albany constituted one of the most savage and significant battles of the Vietnam War. How these men persevered--sacrificed themselves for their comrades and never gave up--makes a vivid portrait of war at its most inspiring and devastating. General Moore and Joseph Galloway, the only journalist on the ground throughout the fighting, have interviewed hundreds of men who fought there, including the North Vietnamese commanders. This devastating account rises above the specific ordeal it chronicles to present a picture of men facing the ultimate challenge, dealing with it in ways they would have found unimaginable only a few hours earlier. It reveals to us, as rarely before, man's most heroic and horrendous endeavor.

We Were Soldiers” is more than just a war film; it is a powerful tribute to the bravery, sacrifice, and resilience of the soldiers and their families. The detailed and heartfelt portrayals of real-life figures by an outstanding ensemble cast bring the harrowing events of the Battle of Ia Drang to life, ensuring that the legacy of those who fought and died is remembered. The film’s emphasis on the humanity of the soldiers, on both sides of the conflict, makes it a poignant and essential viewing experience for anyone interested in the Vietnam War or military history.

Directed by Randall Wallace, with Screenplay by Randall Wallace, Based on "We Were Soldiers Once… and Young" by Hal Moore and Joseph L. Galloway, and Produced by Bruce Davey, Stephen McEveety, and Randall Wallace, Starring: Mel Gibson, Madeleine Stowe, Greg Kinnear, Sam Elliott, Chris Kleinl, Keri Russell, Barry Pepper, Đơn Dương, with Cinematography by Dean Semler, and Edited by William Hoy, with Music by Nick Glennie Smith, and Production companies: Icon Productions, and Wheelhouse Entertainment, and Distributed by Paramount Pictures (United States), and Concorde Filmverleih (Germany) (2002)

We Were Soldiers is available now with a subscription to Paramount+ with Showtime…

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