Frank Gilliland wrote:
On Sun, 18 Dec 2005 17:19:28 GMT, Dave Heil wrote
in et:
wrote:
snip
part of the military that wasn't glamorous, didn't wear flashy
or cute uniforms, and bore the brunt of national defense as it
always has since 1776...with the casualty rates the highest of
any branch, from battlefields of Pennsylvania to the Persian
Gulf area of Dubya's rule.
The Signal Corps has the highest casualty rate, or did you mean the U.S.
Army?
If that's correct, then what about Len's statement that "it bore the
brunt of national defense as it always has since 1776"? The Signal
Corps did all that? I'm sure my dad would have made some comment to
that effect if he'd seen it at Utah Beach. He never said anything about
the Naval units rushing signalmen to the beach.
The Signal Corps. The first target of any combat unit is the guy (or
tank, amtrack, jeep, etc.) with the antennas. The second target is the
guy -next- to the guy with the antenna because he is usually an
officer.
What would be the odds of getting hit by a stray round if you were in a
different country than where the action was going on?
Is that something to brag about?
Yep. It takes some big, hairy balls to walk onto the battlefield
carrying a piece of equipment that will be the first thing the enemy
shoots at, especially when the radio is bulky and/or heavy enough to
limit your mobility. The casualty rate for radiomen in combat is even
higher than EOD.
Not if the fighting is in Korea and you happen to be in a big building
in Japan, Frank.
Dave K8MN