From 1975
through 1978, I was assigned by Army Material Command as the Logistics
Assistance Officer – Europe, with headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany. I had representatives with me from the
AMC Commidity Commands including tank, automotive, missile, ammunition,
aviation, etc. The LAO normally
attended staff meetings with the CG USAREUR but, my boss and rating officer were
in AMC HQ, in Alexandria, VA.
This
story concerns enlisted good conduct medals. There is a unique ending.
After
arriving in Heidelberg, I was walking inside the HQ building and observed a
four star general, the USAREUR Commander, George Blanchard, approaching. I saluted
and greeted the general who stopped me and said. “Colonel, what is that red ribbon
that is included in your collection?”
I answered, “That is a Navy Good Conduct Medal, sir.” General Blanchard
replied, “ I have a similar medal, but it is an Army Good conduct Medal which I
received when I was enlisted and before I went to the Academy.” He then asked
me what my job was and for whom I worked. I told him that I sat with the
USAREUR G-4, but my superior was in Army Material Command in Virginia. He then
said that he would like me to attend his command weekly briefings and be
prepared to advise his commanders on pertinent logistics problems
I told
him that we have a critical financial problem with our tank rebuild plant in
Mainz. EUARSEUR units were sending tanks to Mainz for engine rebuild
maintenance without engines. They had no OVM on board, and sometimes they had
live ammunition on board.
We
realize that supply sergeants like to have additional replacement parts, but
Army Material Command has to buy those parts to complete the tank overhauls. We
are also ill prepared to remove and secure the live tank ammunition left in the
tank.
General
Blanchard turned to his Armor Division Commanders and other commanders who had
tanks within their units and said, “Did you hear that, gentlemen? I don’t
expect this condition to exist after this meeting.”
As you
can imagine, those commanders didn’t think too kindly of Army Commanders and a
Colonel who were wearing good conduct medals.
