"Who Would Have Thunk It?" or "You Would Never Guess Part II"

 

Leave it to investigative reporter hootsbuddy, my buddy from way back, to be a party pooper. Seems Lee Marvin and Bob Keeshan never saw action in Iwo Jima. And Mr. Rogers was never a sniper in Viet Nam. Damn, but it was a good story.

Here's my take on "You Would Never Guess," v.c. style.

You Would Never Guess!!
Mr. Green Jeans passed away on January 23, 2004 as age 76 , which is odd, because he always looked to be 76. (DOB: 6/27/27.) His death reminded me of the following story.
Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Mr. Moose, is buried in a grave alongside 3 and 4 star generals at Arlington National Cemetery. His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else. Here's a guy who was only a famous television star who served his time, why the heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing answer:
I always liked Mr.Moose, but didn't know the extent of his Corps experiences



In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces often in rear echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions,
Mr. Moose was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima. There is only one higher Naval award... the Medal Of Honor.



If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery.
Dialog from "The Al Franken Show": His guest was Mr. Moose. Al said, "Mr. Moose, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the initial landing at Iwo Jima...and that during the course of that action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded

"Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the bottom and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi. Bad thing about getting shot up on a mountain is guys getting' shot hauling you down. But, Al, at Iwo I served under the bravest creature I ever knew... We both got the cross the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in comparison. That dumb guy actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. Bullets flying by, with mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life.
That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off Suribachi we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter and said, where'd they get you Moose.?' Well ... if you make it home be fore me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!"
Al, I'm not lying, Sergeant Jeans was the bravest man I ever knew.
The Sergeant's name is Jeans . You and the world know him as Mr. Green Jeans."