- Oct 9, 1999
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True story. That generation is completely out of touch with what my generation feels entitled to.Anyone else concerned about the age of these men? Thinking 80 makes a fine cut off. Just saying...
Inouye's horrified soldiers moved to his aid, but he shouted for them to keep back out of fear his severed fist would involuntarily relax and drop the grenade. As the German inside the bunker reloaded his rifle, Inouye pried the live grenade from his useless right hand and transferred it to his left. As the German aimed his rifle to finish him off, Inouye tossed the grenade off-hand into the bunker and destroyed it. He stumbled to his feet and continued forward, silencing the last German resistance with a one-handed burst from his Thompson before being wounded in the leg and tumbling unconscious to the bottom of the ridge. When he awoke to see the concerned men of his platoon hovering over him, his only comment before being carried away was to gruffly order them to return to their positions, since, as he pointed out, "nobody called off the war!
“Finally, all brave men and women who want to put on the uniform of our great nation and serve in the armed services may do so without having to hide who they are. My only regret is that nearly 13,000 men and women were expelled from the military during the 17 years that this discriminatory policy was in place,” Inouye said.
“In every war we have had men and women of different sexual orientation who have risked their lives for their country. I fought alongside gay men during World War II and many of them were killed in combat. Those men were heroes. And once again, heroes will be allowed to defend their country, regardless of their sexual orientation,” he added.
Our nation has lost a true American patriot in Daniel Inouye. As all I can really say, is RIP Daniel Inouye.
But when it comes to questions like is 89 too old to serve as a US Senator, why do we ask that only about Senator Daniel Inouye? When we compare him to almost his exact GOP equivalent in Senator Bob Dole?
Maybe that is our problem, we have too much partisan politics today, when we forget out greatest generation who had to fight in WW2 are dying off until very few are left. Men and women who knew the definition of shared sacrifice and learned it, lived it, and stood up in our nation's time of need. And now one more of that greatest generation is gone. How many are now left of the that generation who knew the definition of shared selfless sacrifice?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I'm fairly certain this topic comes up every time there's an ancient-ass Senator that finally retires or dies in office. I remember the discussion about Senator Robert "Grand Dragon" Byrd when he finally kicked the bucket.
Wow is right. Did not know anything about him.21 April 45
While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper's bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions.
Godspeed Second Lieutenant Inouye
I'm fairly certain this topic comes up every time there's an ancient-ass Senator that finally retires or dies in office. I remember the discussion about Senator Robert "Grand Dragon" Byrd when he finally kicked the bucket.
I agree that all the fawning over his political career is ridiculous but the story of how he earned the Medal of Honor makes Inouye worthy of respect on its own. It's far more than Robert Byrd ever did in his life.
Anyone else concerned about the age of these men? Thinking 80 makes a fine cut off. Just saying...