The Journey Continues: What’s in my billfold?
My journey this week starts with “cleaning out” my billfold. One item that I have carried for the last 55 years is my original copy of the Military Code of Conduct issued to me when I entered the service. Veterans would recognize this 2-inch x3-inch card, although my copy is so worn it is almost unreadable. The card is distributed to all active-duty personnel. It is especially applicable at times of war or imprisonment. Wikipedia described the “Code of the United States Fighting Force as an ethics guide and a United States Department of Defense directive consisting of the six articles. It is considered an important part of tradition and US military doctrine but is not ‘formal military law’ in the manner of the Uniform Code of Military Justice or of international law, such as the Geneva Conventions.” This Military Code of Conduct is as follows:
1. I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
2. I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
3. If I am captured, I will continue to resist. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
4. If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
5. When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give only my name, rank, service number and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
6. I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.
I remembered that card at last Monday’s funeral service in Houston for Harvey, a friend who wore a CIB (Combat Infantryman’s Badge), as I do. He served as an Advisor to a Battalion of Vietnamese soldiers early in the Vietnam War. His family wanted his remains to be buried with full military honors in the Veterans Section of a Houston Cemetery. On the drive from the Chapel to the Veterans section, we passed by many tombstones bearing Vietnamese names. A large Vietnamese American population calls Houston home.
Surrounded by family, his wife, Mary, said: “Harvey deserves this honor,” and she added, “Can you believe he was spit on when he came back from Vietnam?” As Taps played, I saluted my brother-in-arms and gave God thanks that he had lived to return…. and that because of that war, one good that resulted is that many Vietnamese live free as citizens of America. Psalm 91:1-2: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Service to the Nation.
