This is a great speech. It was given by Ross Perot to dedicate the "Wayne A. Downing Airport" in Peoria, IL. Evidently, that's General Downing's hometown, and this is the only airport named after a Ranger.
I was fortunate enough to be in one of General Downing's commands, back when he was a lowly Colonel (and I was an even more lowly PFC). I thought you might find the story interesting.
Let's turn it over to Ross Perot... I'm all ears.
"General Wayne Downing’s life can be defined by these words:
-Patriot
-Guardian of our Freedom
-Hero
-Fearless
-Brilliant
-Modest
-Humble
-A man of absolute integrity
A great leader who:
-Builds others up – Never puts them down
-Is kind, gentle, but tougher than steel
-Always helping others
-Always puts others first – himself last
-Treats others as equals
-Great listener
-Outstanding husband and father
General Downing is admired and respected by all who have served with him. He was born in Peoria, Illinois in 1940. His father served in World War II and was killed in action in Germany in 1945. General Downing received an appointment to the U. S. Military Academy in 1958. He graduated from West Point in 1962. His first assignment was as Platoon Leader in Company B 173rd Airborne Brigade in Okinawa. He served 3 years in Vietnam (1964 – 1967) in the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 25th Infantry Division. In 1984, Colonel Downing was chosen to form and lead the 75th Ranger Regiment. All Ranger Regiments continue to live by the creed –
RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!
General Downing is considered the Father of the Modern Rangers. In 1989 he was appointed Commanding General of Joint Special Operations Command in Ft. Bragg. In December 1989 he commanded the Special Operations Forces that liberated Panama during Operation Just Cause. A year later, he commanded the Joint Task Force of 1,200 Special Forces soldiers who conducted highly effective attacks in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.
In 1991 General Downing was appointed Special Operations Officer at Ft. Bragg. In 1993 General Downing was appointed to the rank of 4-Star General and served as Commander in Chief of U. S. Special Operations Command, leading 46,000 Special Operations Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen. I had the privilege of knowing General Downing during the years that he served as a General in Special Forces. Again and again, when his soldiers were in combat, he would call me around the clock with deep concern about men who had been seriously wounded, seeking the care from the most talented doctors in the private sector. I will never forget those calls. His level of concern was like these Special Forces soldiers were his own sons.
General Downing retired from active duty in 1996. After retirement, he was appointed by the President to lead a task force to investigate the 1996 terrorist attack on the U. S. base at Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. In 1999 General Downing served as a member of the National Commission on Terrorism. In 2001 General Downing served the White House as National Director and Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism.
General Downing served as Chairman and Founder of the Combating Terrorism Center at the U. S. Military Academy.
His honors include:
-The Defense Department Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
-Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
-Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster
-Defense Superior Service Medal
-Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
-Soldiers Medal
-Bronze Star with V Device for Valor and 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
-Purple Heart
-Air Medal with V Device for Valor and 35 Oak Leaf Clusters
-Army Commendation Medal with V Device for Valor and 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
-Combat Infantryman’s Badge
-Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge
-Master Parachute Badge
-Ranger Tab
-Pathfinder Badge
-Commander in the French Legion of Honor
And now I will tell you my favorite General Wayne Downing story. In the late 90’s I received a call from a person who identified himself as a retired Special Forces Sergeant named Euless Presley. My first reaction was “Has Elvis been reborn?”
He told me that 125 Vietnamese, who he had fought alongside, had been moved to an island off Hong Kong and had lived there for 25 years. As Hong Kong was being taken over by China, China made a deal with Vietnam to ship these men back to be executed. Sergeant Presley had a great sense of urgency to recover these men. I then called General Shelton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, mentioned the sergeant’s name, and told him the story.
General Shelton’s response was, “I know exactly who Euless Presley is. He is a highly decorated Special Forces soldier. We have got to get these men out. I would not be alive without them.”
I then sent a team to the State Department to see if we could make arrangements for them to be brought to the United States. The State Department’s response was, “We have heard all about this, but nobody can prove that they are who they claim to be. If you can bring us proof, we will allow them to come to the United States.”
I then called retired General Wayne Downing, and told him the story. His exact words were, “Ross, I wouldn’t be alive without these men. I can validate them. I will be on the next plane.”
I asked Wayne, “Where do I send your ticket?”
General Downing responded, “I wouldn’t be alive without these men. Nobody buys this ticket but me.”
I then said, “Can I help you with anything?”
General Downing said, “I need an Interpreter.”
I called Nguyen Quoc Dat (called Max Dat), a South Vietnamese fighter pilot who had been held in prison with our men. Max later moved to the United States and is living in California. The only problem is that Max would be dead if they ever got him, because he would be a much better trophy to trade to Vietnam than the Vietnamese. Max agreed to go.
The team arrived in Hong Kong on Monday. They called me on Tuesday, and General Downing said, “Perot, the Chinese won’t let us on the island, but don’t worry, we will get it done and will call you when we are on the way back to the United States.”
General Downing called on Saturday and said, “All taken care of. The men and their families are on their way to the United States.”
I asked, “How did you get on the island?”
I will never forget General Downing’s response. He said, “Don’t ask, Perot” laughed, and hung up.
I still don’t know how General Downing rescued them, and don’t need to know.
I would like to know if they swam or parasailed in, swam out? In all honesty, I was not surprised that General Downing had accomplished another MISSION IMPOSSIBLE!
The Vietnamese and their families all live near Ft. Bragg, have good jobs and are good citizens, and continue to be under the wing of the Special Forces members there – Thanks to General Downing. General Downing’s actions can be summarized by these words:
THE BEST TEST OF A MAN’S CHARACTER IS WHAT HE DOES FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN DO NOTHING FOR HIM.
Throughout his life, General Downing lived these words from Isaiah: WHO WILL GO? SEND ME!
General Downing’s life and principles can be summarized by Winston Churchill’s shortest speech:
NEVER GIVE IN. NEVER GIVE IN. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!
He has also lived these words: WHEN PRINCIPLE IS INVOLVED, BE DEAF TO EXPEDIENCY.
Abraham Lincoln said: ANY NATION THAT DOES NOT HONOR ITS HEROES WILL NOT LONG ENDURE.
Today we are gathered to honor General Wayne Downing – a true American Hero! In closing, please remember the last phrase of the “Star Spangled Banner” is a question – O’ SAY DOES THAT STAR SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE O’ER THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE? As long as we have great Patriots like General Wayne Downing, the answer will be a resounding YES!
I was fortunate enough to be in one of General Downing's commands, back when he was a lowly Colonel (and I was an even more lowly PFC). I thought you might find the story interesting.
Let's turn it over to Ross Perot... I'm all ears.
"General Wayne Downing’s life can be defined by these words:
-Patriot
-Guardian of our Freedom
-Hero
-Fearless
-Brilliant
-Modest
-Humble
-A man of absolute integrity
A great leader who:
-Builds others up – Never puts them down
-Is kind, gentle, but tougher than steel
-Always helping others
-Always puts others first – himself last
-Treats others as equals
-Great listener
-Outstanding husband and father
General Downing is admired and respected by all who have served with him. He was born in Peoria, Illinois in 1940. His father served in World War II and was killed in action in Germany in 1945. General Downing received an appointment to the U. S. Military Academy in 1958. He graduated from West Point in 1962. His first assignment was as Platoon Leader in Company B 173rd Airborne Brigade in Okinawa. He served 3 years in Vietnam (1964 – 1967) in the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 25th Infantry Division. In 1984, Colonel Downing was chosen to form and lead the 75th Ranger Regiment. All Ranger Regiments continue to live by the creed –
RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!
General Downing is considered the Father of the Modern Rangers. In 1989 he was appointed Commanding General of Joint Special Operations Command in Ft. Bragg. In December 1989 he commanded the Special Operations Forces that liberated Panama during Operation Just Cause. A year later, he commanded the Joint Task Force of 1,200 Special Forces soldiers who conducted highly effective attacks in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm.
In 1991 General Downing was appointed Special Operations Officer at Ft. Bragg. In 1993 General Downing was appointed to the rank of 4-Star General and served as Commander in Chief of U. S. Special Operations Command, leading 46,000 Special Operations Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen. I had the privilege of knowing General Downing during the years that he served as a General in Special Forces. Again and again, when his soldiers were in combat, he would call me around the clock with deep concern about men who had been seriously wounded, seeking the care from the most talented doctors in the private sector. I will never forget those calls. His level of concern was like these Special Forces soldiers were his own sons.
General Downing retired from active duty in 1996. After retirement, he was appointed by the President to lead a task force to investigate the 1996 terrorist attack on the U. S. base at Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. In 1999 General Downing served as a member of the National Commission on Terrorism. In 2001 General Downing served the White House as National Director and Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism.
General Downing served as Chairman and Founder of the Combating Terrorism Center at the U. S. Military Academy.
His honors include:
-The Defense Department Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
-Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
-Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster
-Defense Superior Service Medal
-Legion of Merit with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
-Soldiers Medal
-Bronze Star with V Device for Valor and 5 Oak Leaf Clusters
-Purple Heart
-Air Medal with V Device for Valor and 35 Oak Leaf Clusters
-Army Commendation Medal with V Device for Valor and 3 Oak Leaf Clusters
-Combat Infantryman’s Badge
-Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge
-Master Parachute Badge
-Ranger Tab
-Pathfinder Badge
-Commander in the French Legion of Honor
And now I will tell you my favorite General Wayne Downing story. In the late 90’s I received a call from a person who identified himself as a retired Special Forces Sergeant named Euless Presley. My first reaction was “Has Elvis been reborn?”
He told me that 125 Vietnamese, who he had fought alongside, had been moved to an island off Hong Kong and had lived there for 25 years. As Hong Kong was being taken over by China, China made a deal with Vietnam to ship these men back to be executed. Sergeant Presley had a great sense of urgency to recover these men. I then called General Shelton, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, mentioned the sergeant’s name, and told him the story.
General Shelton’s response was, “I know exactly who Euless Presley is. He is a highly decorated Special Forces soldier. We have got to get these men out. I would not be alive without them.”
I then sent a team to the State Department to see if we could make arrangements for them to be brought to the United States. The State Department’s response was, “We have heard all about this, but nobody can prove that they are who they claim to be. If you can bring us proof, we will allow them to come to the United States.”
I then called retired General Wayne Downing, and told him the story. His exact words were, “Ross, I wouldn’t be alive without these men. I can validate them. I will be on the next plane.”
I asked Wayne, “Where do I send your ticket?”
General Downing responded, “I wouldn’t be alive without these men. Nobody buys this ticket but me.”
I then said, “Can I help you with anything?”
General Downing said, “I need an Interpreter.”
I called Nguyen Quoc Dat (called Max Dat), a South Vietnamese fighter pilot who had been held in prison with our men. Max later moved to the United States and is living in California. The only problem is that Max would be dead if they ever got him, because he would be a much better trophy to trade to Vietnam than the Vietnamese. Max agreed to go.
The team arrived in Hong Kong on Monday. They called me on Tuesday, and General Downing said, “Perot, the Chinese won’t let us on the island, but don’t worry, we will get it done and will call you when we are on the way back to the United States.”
General Downing called on Saturday and said, “All taken care of. The men and their families are on their way to the United States.”
I asked, “How did you get on the island?”
I will never forget General Downing’s response. He said, “Don’t ask, Perot” laughed, and hung up.
I still don’t know how General Downing rescued them, and don’t need to know.
I would like to know if they swam or parasailed in, swam out? In all honesty, I was not surprised that General Downing had accomplished another MISSION IMPOSSIBLE!
The Vietnamese and their families all live near Ft. Bragg, have good jobs and are good citizens, and continue to be under the wing of the Special Forces members there – Thanks to General Downing. General Downing’s actions can be summarized by these words:
THE BEST TEST OF A MAN’S CHARACTER IS WHAT HE DOES FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN DO NOTHING FOR HIM.
Throughout his life, General Downing lived these words from Isaiah: WHO WILL GO? SEND ME!
General Downing’s life and principles can be summarized by Winston Churchill’s shortest speech:
NEVER GIVE IN. NEVER GIVE IN. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER!
He has also lived these words: WHEN PRINCIPLE IS INVOLVED, BE DEAF TO EXPEDIENCY.
Abraham Lincoln said: ANY NATION THAT DOES NOT HONOR ITS HEROES WILL NOT LONG ENDURE.
Today we are gathered to honor General Wayne Downing – a true American Hero! In closing, please remember the last phrase of the “Star Spangled Banner” is a question – O’ SAY DOES THAT STAR SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE O’ER THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE? As long as we have great Patriots like General Wayne Downing, the answer will be a resounding YES!
No comments:
Post a Comment