With this 6th in my Valor series of blogs, I wanted to change it up abit. I use Col Ripley here for the great story of how an autograph request can led to something so much bigger. First, a little background as I know many here may not know what The Navy Cross is.

The Navy Cross is the highest medal that can be awarded by the United States Department of the Navy and the second highest award given for valor, only the Medal of Honor ranks higher. It is normally awarded to only members of the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard but could be awarded to all branches of United States military as well as members of foreign militaries. The Navy Cross is equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross (Army) and the Air Force Cross.

Col. Ripley was a great Marine and became a personal friend of mine. I first met him when I did a poster for him and asked him to autograph it. I saw a piece on him in a Veterans magazine saying his was the new Director of the Marine Corps Museum in Washington, D.C., so I looked up the address and sent him the photo. Why not right ? What did I have to lose? If only I knew what I was about to gain. He send the photo back (signed) with a really kind letter. (see below)

About a week went by and I got another letter from him. Being the Director of the Museum, and a historical Marine people visiting the Museum often asked him for his autograph. He asked me for more of the photos so he could pass them out when asked to sign. I told him I'd send him all he wanted, "on me" . He flat out refused not paying for them, and we spent a few good natured back and forth emails on the subject till he finally told me he was going to pay for them, and that was an "order" . I said YES, SIR! He would order prints from me, from time to time when he'd get close to running out, ALWAYS paying for them. He called me on the Marine Corps Birthday, sent me Christmas cards and emailed me often. Over the course of this he became a friend, always thinking of me. In fact when other famous people would come to the Museum he would always send me their autograph, one of which was Lt.Col. Oliver North. Sadly my friend passed away late last year and not a day goes by I do not treasure my autograph, and all that I gained because I requested it. The Corps is a little less brighter, for one of her truly great ones has passed. Thank you to all who read this and help to make sure my friend's deeds of valor are not forgoten.

Navy Cross Citation:

The Navy Cross is awarded to Captain John W. Ripley, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism on 2 April 1972 while serving as the Senior Marine Advisor to the Third Vietnamese Marine Corps Infantry Battalion in the Republic of Vietnam. Upon receipt of a report that a rapidly moving, mechanized, North Vietnamese army force, estimated at reinforced divisional strength, was attacking south along Route #1, the Third Vietnamese Marine Infantry Battalion was positioned to defend a key village and the surrounding area. It became imperative that a vital river bridge be destroyed if the overall security of the northern provinces of Military Region One was to be maintained. Advancing to the bridge to personally supervise this most dangerous but vitally important assignment, Captain Ripley located a large amount of explosives which had been prepositioned there earlier, access to which was blocked by a chain-link fence. In order to reposition the approximately 500 pounds of explosives, Captain Ripley was obliged to reach up and hand-walk along the beams while his body dangled beneath the bridge. On five separate occasions, in the face of constant enemy fire, he moved to points along the bridge and, with the aid of another advisor who pushed the explosives to him, securely emplaced them. He then detonated the charges and destroyed the bridge, thereby stopping the enemy assault. By his heroic actions and extraordinary courage, Captain Ripley undoubtedly was instrumental in saving an untold number of lives. His inspiring efforts reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.