Basil Plumley as a young man

Books and films featured on “Words on Wednesdays“ might center on a particular individual or maybe an epic battle in a particular war.  Today’s “WoW” focuses on a story that had both, and more.

Command Sergeant Major (ret.) Basil L. Plumley was a real flesh and blood man yet also a larger than life character. He was a warrior who served in three wars: Korea, World War II and Vietnam in the Airborne Infantry, as parachutist and in the Cavalry (Airborne).

Cover of 1st edition

Plumley was at the heart of the book, We Were Soldiers Once… and Young. 

He was not a man to tell war stories, nor did he give interviews even though he surely could have told many. Each ribbon and award on his heavily decorated uniform no doubt represented substantial moments in history and military experiences.

When he was presented a Combat Infantry Badge with Two Stars he joined the only 325 men to receive this award, even rarer than the select 3,400 or so Medal of Honor recipients.

He has been called “America’s Soldier.”    [Read more…]