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Walt Richardson

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Walt Richardson pays his respect to all the great leaders in his life, starting with his mother. She was the foundation for his fulfilling Air Force career. (3:04)

Walt Russell

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Walt Russell’s uncle secured him an appointment to West Point, where he met his best friend and future brother-in-law Joe Clemons. After graduation and basic, he went to jump school because paratrooper pay meant an extra $110. (3:25)

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Young Captain Walt Russell “felt like a big shot” as a rifle platoon leader in Korea, leading patrols against the dug in Chinese troops. He inherited a diverse, roughly trained platoon and together they learned to be a good unit. (4:22)

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Walt Russell’s brother-in-law and best friend, Joe Clemons, was in trouble on Pork Chop Hill and he led his own company to the outpost to relieve him. In the famous movie about this battle, Gregory Peck portrayed Clemons and Rip Torn portrayed Russell. During the intense and bloody battle, Mr. Russell's reinforcements helped save the Americans that were defending the hill, and he was awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions and leadership. (9:12)

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After seeing action in Korea, Walt Russell taught at jump school for a year and then went to flight school and Command Staff School. This led him eventually to Ft. Bragg where the Army was trying a new concept, mobile units in helicopters. (4:07)

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The new concept of mobile troops using helicopters was used extensively in Vietnam. COL Walt Russell was aboard one when he felt an odd sensation. Reaching up, he felt where a sniper round had blown a hole in his head “the size of a cigarette pack.” (9:37)

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First, Walt Russell’s neurologist told him to get used to watching TV because he could not hold a job. Then the loan examiner told him he could not handle law school. After years of public service in elected office, he had proven them both wrong. (4:16)

Walter Beardslee

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His mom wanted him to go to West Point but Walter Beardslee's congressman already had an appointment lined up. He set off for college, twice, and flamed out, twice. When he got back after a road trip with some buddies, his mom delivered an ultimatum. (6:56)

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It was in basic training that Walter Beardslee decided he would try for Officer Candidate School. After his next training stop at Fort Sill, he was accepted. OCS at Fort Benning was grueling but he earned his commission and was lucky enough to get what he preferred, Airborne and Special Forces. (4:19)

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Flying into Cam Ranh bay, rookie Lieutenant Walter Beardslee noticed flares hanging in the night sky. That got his attention. When he got to the 5th Special Forces group HQ in Nha Trang, he ran into a former instructor he knew from Fort Benning who just happened to need a junior officer. (7:26)