MCPO at the NYC Veterans’ Day parade
MCPO NYC USN Ret. made his annual trek to the New York City Veterans’ Day parade and spotted these two distinguished gentlemen dressed in their finery;
He wasn’t able to get enough information from them that would get us their records, but the first fellow’s name is Ken Smith, supposedly and the fellow in tiger stripes says that he was the sergeant major of the Phoenix program in the “Viet of the Nam” – he disappeared when MCPO offered to make him famous.
MCPO says that he ran into Richard Figueroa again this year, but he wasn’t wearing his Marine Corps finery this year.
Category: Phony soldiers, Valor Vultures
Well, gee. I guess they won’t come out of the woodwork until there’s a parade. Maybe someone should organize a posers’ parade on Hallowe’en. Hand out candy that doesn’t require any teeth. That sort of thing.
It gets old. Really old.
Was that guy Martin Riggs spotter in the Phoenix program?
There’s only twelve guys in the world could make a shot like that…
Realizing that your comment was meant in jest … I just want to set the record straight. Martin Riggs wasn’t in “the Phoenix Program.” The bad guys were. Riggs stated that he had run into a few of them in the past.
Sorry, the movie trivia buff came out LOL
But he did have a Special Forces tattoo…
Like Popeye?
Funny, he doesn’t look Vietnamese. Since the Phoenix program was a Vietnamese operation with a few CIA and SF advisers/liason people, I seriously doubt it needed an American E-9. But who knows, maybe they had haircut, cigarette butt, and white rock painting issues in their base camps.
The “ASSASSIN” himself, Bill Perry wasn’t around was he? bwahaha
It’s just my thing, but I don’t participate in or attend parades. I don’t wear the jackets/hats with all kinds of patches/medals, etc.
It’s me….I have nothing against anyone entitled to their specific awards to wear what they want. I have an NYS “Combat Wounded – Purple Heart” license plate…and that’s the extent of my personal military history that is on display.
Frankly, a couple of broken kneecaps on some of these posers would make me feel a lot better.
“Viet of the Nam!” Terry….I wish I was there to hear this dick.
The only thing that I have on my car is a small sticker that says “US Army Retired”, and that is right above a sticker that says “Not a Liberal”.
The VA sent out a message encouraging US veterans to wear their medals on three ocassions per year, I believe, Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. In that spirit, I do wear my medals. I do NOT wear them on combat fatigues. I put them on a nice sport coat and appear semi dressy with maybe even a tie. I’m more recently retired but where my kids live they have a Memorial day parade every year. I marched in it once on active duty, I may don the dress uniform for that occasion, not the ACU, BDU or OCP. Most of the younger vets I saw last time wore some semblance of the BDU but the older vets seemed to all be in dress. I like their example, and if I remember, AR 670-1 specifies that uniform for retirees and combat veterans. I do get some weird looks for wearing the medals sometimes but I don’t care. I am proud of my meager service. Lol.
The secondo dickhead looks like he’s wearing some of those “commemorative” medals as well.
Interesting. Maybe I’m reading your description wrong, Jonn, but if the guy who isn’t in tiger stripes is named Ken Smith why the heck does it say GINSBERG on his nametag?
Again, maybe this dopey squid doesn’t know tiger stripes.
The guy in the uni with the “Ginsburg” name tape is wearing 1980s/1990s Army BDUs. Maybe he’s wearing them to honor his “lost buddy”.
FWIW: the “tigerstripe” uniform is the current USAF ABU. Don’t think they wore those in “Viet of the Nam”.
Fahk’em. Both of em.
My new favorite phrase, “Viet of the Nam”.
As I recall, which can be dangerous, I seem to recall some ARVN soldiers wearing the Tiger Strip in “Viet of the Nam”. lol, I could smack that asshole up-side the head!
I like the way LBJ pronounced it “vetnam”.
LOL, yup!
1SG? Ginsburg is wearing the summer/lightweight version of the BDU. And the trousers match the top! Must have done some serious shopping to find a matched set.
I’m surprised the fashion police aren’t all over this. Everybody knows you’re not supposed to wear tiger-stripe fatigues after Labor Day…
Perry, thank you! Comment of the year! I’ll add that to my fund of military knowledge.
Combine this with white shoes and a belt, and you’ve got something!
Hondo,
Tiger stripes were used mostly used by Special Forces when I was there in 1969-70.
Also saw a few Rangers/LRRP’s wearing them too.
I remember at times when we were resupplied in the field, clean jungle fatigues were brought out and there would be a set or two of “tigers” mixed in the lot.
There would be a mad dash for the “cool ones”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tigerstripe
“Wasn’t authorized” the saying used to go. LRRPs, advisors to the ARVN, SF. Maybe PBR crews. I was in the Delta, and seeing them was a rare thing.
I was in the Marines from 81 to 85 and we were issued 4 sets of sateen cammies. Around 83 I think, the woodland pattern came out and we were ordered to buy 2 sets but were allowed to continue wearing the sateen sets until they became unsat or were phased out completely, which as I recall did not happen until after I left active duty. My question is, were the slant pocket sateens from Nam? We were allowed to wear them too and I bought two sets off base at Camp Geiger in a surplus store.
Most Vietnam vets I know (verified veterans) at MOST just wear the hat. They don’t parade around in camo.
No offense to the real vets who do, if any of you do or know someone who does.
And its always freakin camo. The vast majority of Nam vets wore slant pocket OD fatigues and a ballcap or steel pot.
Your username reminds of my “favorite dish” in “Viet of the Nam” – – ham and lima beans with a small can of cheddar cheese mixed in to enhance the flavor. All heated over the most popular cooking impliment….a small piece of C-4.
Forgot the hot sauce.
Nook Mahm?
Tried that one and didn’t like it, I used the stuff (forget the label/name) we got in SP Paks.
Tabasco maybe?
One could always trade the limabeans for something more palatable.
Do you mean spaghetti and meat balls?
Crackers and cheese. The pimento cheese had one tiny little piece of red pimento.
No. the term was (alternatively) Ham and Lima Beans was irreverently known throughout the armed forces as “Ham and Motherfuckers” (or other variants such as “Lima Beans and Motherfuckers.”) And then we had the john waybe bars, and also beenie weenies, then there was the dreaded Prok Loin, patty stuffed in the od green can that you also opened with your p38. Still have my massive sized p38 for the big quart or 1/2 gallon can sized rations they used for making company sized hot meals, while in the field, of which we got one hot meal every other day. John Wayne bars were the best though. then there was the peanut butter and crackers and /or Jam along with it IIRC. C Rats beat MREs anyday of the week.
I hit the wrong button to reply to your comment – I hit “report” in error – my apologies – and I’m sober too! (but not for long) and now forgot what I was going to say….dammit! 1417 hrs and I must need a nap. 🙂
No dice on the trading of the Ham&MF’rs for something else. You couldn’t even give them away. Even the indigenous population in the Viet of the Nam didn’t want them. They would throw them back at you and call you a Numba 10 GI.
The only good thing about a can of MF’rs was that it could be used as a feed guide on the M60D machine gun.
But we are talking about Spark’s favorite meal, so tread lightly./sarc
Ah..Ham and Mf’ers. They were my favorite! I got a lot of favors for taking them in trade and I ate pretty good too.
I loved C-rats. When we broke open a case and passed the individual boxes around it was like opening presents. Then trading would begin. The Vienna sausages were like gold.
No fruit cocktail or canned peaches from the PX?
We wore the ripstop OG-107 fatigues and a steel pot. Type III, I think the fatigues were called if memory serves me. Never wore the ERDL camo. The high speed guys often did. Again, if memory serves me because I didn’t spend time around the high speed type guys. They sort of kept to themselves.
During my 15 months in RVN (6/70-9/71), the only units that wore camo were the Ranger companies and the USMC. My company, G/75, was only allowed to wear camo (issue and tiger fatigues) in the company area and on patrol; outside of that, we had to wear regular jungle fatigues and the ball cap or jungle hat (no berets). The REMF’s did not want us to look like we were special or something; however, our jump wings and ranger scroll said otherwise. At the company and regiment reunions I have attended, I don’t think I have seen any vets wearing camo uni gear, except the ones in full uniform and on AD. Hats and CIB/ scroll embroidered civie shirts yes, but no camo (regulation or otherwise).
Thanks to TAH, my spidey senses alarm when I see a hat that has all kinds of bling on it. Saw one in a restaurant last night but chilled and went back to sipping my beer.
Good, because I sometimes wear a “Special Forces” marked ball cap that has the miniature patches of the units I served in RVN (4th ID,23rd ID,196th Bde) and the mini Ranger and CIB badge.
The P38 on the second gent is a nice touch. He needs to see Claw and get the mess sergeant sized version.
Yes Sir. I have a nice industrial sized P-51 just waiting for him that can replace that P-38 on the dog tag chain.
May take a little bit of twisting and slashing to get it on the chain, but I’m sure I could manage it.
Is that an ammo bandolier festooned with medals across that guys shoulder? What is he setting up shop or something.
On second look I see it is a booney hat.
Gotta have the booney hat. Gotta get some glasses too.
Cocksuckers.
The guy’s name is Smith, yet the jacket with all of “his” badass badges says “Ginsburg.” What’s that, his maiden name?
That’s his operator nom-de-asshattery. Maybe, as suggested, he’s wearing it for a friend.
Maybe we should set up a “Go Fund Me” page for MCPO.
He will need medical help for having to deal with these turds.
Preciate the offer, but totally not my way of doing business.
All Posers and ALL their past deeds are eventually made known to ALL through their own actions and words.
The end of the story is the best part.
Everybody wave at Dan Bernath who can’t seem to get enough of this post today the way he’s emailing me about it every few minutes.
??
?. ?. ?. ?. ?
?? ?????? ??
Mr. Daniel Bernath, Sir…
Here’s my salute to you.
(shows “# 1 bird”)
??????????????????????????
Hey Dan
OH, you mean the disbarred CA Attorney who was refused admission to the Oregon bar AND has a number of court judgments against him? the one who ran his airplane out of fuel and sued the manufacturer? May his horn get stuck in the on position when he is on the highway behind a band of the meanest and most violent Outlaw Bikers that ever existed.
Hey Dan, two more potential DRG members for you.
Hi “Dickless” Danny… how you doing paying off the CA State Bar? Still “working it” behind the Mobil Station this weekend?
Maybe you can share your sooper sekrit recipe for “Cream of Sum Yung Guy Soup” that QuEeFeRs got from Lon Duk Dong with these two assclowns that MCPO ID’d?
BTW – Liberator Medical called and left a message… no more catheters for you!
Has Bernath ever paid even a dime of what he owes from his Yelp hubris? I’m sure he now also owes a pretty penny to the California Bar from the latest mess he brought on himself.
Jonn, is it the same drivel he usually posts… “self murder”, “real-deal combat wounded”, blah, blah, blah?
I’m Guessing that DuLlAsS hasn’t been by this morning to suck start his “red rubber Robinson”…
No, today he’s incognito with a new email address named Navy Veterans with the email address luckyyorktown@gmail.com . He’s pretending to be an organization of sorts. I only posted the email address so that the spambots will find it.
Hey, Danny-boi, best regards from someone who was a never disciplined or disbarred by the CA State Bar. Have you put that Supreme Court Disbarment Order in your shadow box or on your war hero wall? Because that is your “major award.”
Danny might want to let AVVO know he no longer seeks clients.
https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/33919-fl-daniel-bernath-296615.html
OOPS… it looks like they know about his “problems”!
“This lawyer has been disciplined by a state licensing authority.”
Hi dickless Danny the human lawn dart! How does it feel to be the 3rd most useless air breather on the planet? Or has the DRG moved you up to #1 in the daisy chain?
I heard you like riding your bicycle without the seat, so the post helps massage your butthurt. But that’s just a rumor. Care to confirm?
DAB is awesome. Every time he sends out a letter, I get a spot award for $500.00.
The front office has a pool betting on what day of the week another letter arrives. Wednesday and Thursday are best bets.
BTW: CSM Ginsberg of the Phoinex Program is the one in Woodland BDU’s and Ken Smith is in the TIger Stripes. Both guys are clearly legit.
Danny-boi:
Eat a fat bag of dicks.
Pretty please.
Bernath? Oh, yeah: here ya go, DAB – a message from the Supreme Court of California:
This is the reason why I go out of my way to lay low on veterans days
This year friends and family come down so I did a day trip down to bisbee and tombstone
And I almost made it all day without someone asking me if I was a vet
But I dropped the ball when I went t the grocery store because some JACK ASS
was up by the front door begging claiming to be a ranger so I tore into his ass and the sheep
At first where trying to defend him, the store manager knows me well and had the POS thrown
From the store talk about a holiday for the homeless when it comes to begging and BS story’s
One night a couple of years ago I stopped in the local 7-11 – I swear I never go to this place but needed something which I can’t remember what….a homeless “Vet” was begging for money by the front door so I asked what he needed. He said “just a pack of Marlboro’s.”
Now I quit smoking cigarettes back in 1978 when they were $0.55 a pack….needless to say, I almost fell over when the clerk told me they were $10.50….not for a carton – for one stinking pack of cancer sticks!
Never again! But a lesson learned.
Back in 2004-05 this crazy dude had a sgin on a freeway off ramp on Craig and I-15 up in Vegas that said I’m a alcoholic to drunk to work cloud you spare a dime Lol..
I bought him a case of beer for being honest ??
And almost got a ticket for doing it but I’d do it again in a heartbeat Lol…
Ahhhh……I think we’re cut from the same cloth, Skippy…..Just opened a “Shock Top Twisted Pretzel Wheat Beer” with a very nice Romeo Y Julieta ceegar, 🙂 life really sucks!!
Enjoy what’s left of the weekend.
Thanks to the moronic voters in CA, that pack will now cost $12.50 with the new initiative created $2.00 increase in the cigarette tax. So the “homeless” panhandlers will be working overtime in those parking lots and at intersections.
Hell, one of the first “gifts” from B. Hussein 0bama & Company was a $1 per pack increase in the price of a pack of smokes with the money supposedly going to 0bamacare. Most of the price of a pack of cigarettes is pure tax!
Was it in ’66 when we got the new(er) type of C’s? The old ones were only printed on one side so the Guide couldn’t discriminate who got issued what. The newer ones were printed on both sides – ingredients were changed some. The Ham & mothers had one chunk of ham. We had a guy in our battery (Whiskey 2/12) who liked them- Alex Crerar- hope you got all you wanted.
When I was over there, it was a tradition in the rifle companies that when you were in the field the birthday boy was entitled to get peaches and pound cake from whomever had them. I got the peaches and pound cake for my BD twice. Sweet!
Reading this whole thread I thought everyone had forgotten the treasure of c-rats, the pound cake with peaches.
But remember, I believe they did not come together in the same meal box. Two people usually had to cough up their can of peaches and the can of pound cake for the birthday boy. If you got your can of peaches in your box of c-rats, you usually saved it until you had a meal with the pound cake so could combine the two in your canteen cup. Yum! Well, under the circumstances, they were mighty tasty. They sure beat a John Wayne bar (otherwise known as “tropical” chocolate) for desert.
Still have my John Wayne (P38) from 70. On my key ring. Funny how small things mean so much.
Probably will be going to Golden Corral for a free meal for veterans this Monday, 14NOV. It’s a veritable poser paradise. Some just scream ‘look at me, I’m a poser’. I’ve seen a few get called out. On Friday, 11NOV, we got a free carwash and a 10% discount at Publix.
Great thread….enjoyed it a lot.
BTW: Ken Smith was seen towards the end of the parade walking north yelling at people. He was not marching with any group. Kinda what legit folks do on Vet’s Day.
Viet of the Nam….. Viet of the fucking Nam?
I think this little gem has to be included anytime a Vietnam era poser is put on blast.
The worst I did was went to Sheri’s and got myself a free slice of apple pie. The waitress even warmed it and gave me a scoop of ice cream and free coffee.
This looks like the guy I saw at re-dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 55 Water Street in lower Manhattan. Ill have to check with my brother who was with me.
Went to Applebee’s this year. The wife was working and I hadn’t had breakfast so about 11 I went up the road. They asked me if I would mind sharing a table with another vet. I said sure. One of the best meals I’ve had in a restaurant in some time. Food was excellent and my tablemate was a former supply type. We had a heck of a nice visit. As I was leaving, ran into several other folks I knew from other activities and met some of their friends. All in all, a darn fine outing.
Hadn’t been to Applebee’s on Vets Day in several years. Might have to do it again next year.
It was the same guy we saw. I looked at him originally and thought seems like a poser but the medals were normal awards a grunt may receive. He was going around shaking everyone’s hand like he was a celebrity.
Hubby and I went to McCormick and Schmick’s for their Veterans’ Day meal last Sunday. I did my best to ignore anyone wearing any “bling” other than a ball cap. If there were any posers there, I didn’t want to know about it.
Forgot all about the Golden Corral thing today (got off a 24-hour shift this morning). Oh, well. I’m not about to try to fight the crowds at this hour.
The three places we went on Friday all asked for our DD-214s, so it’s all good.