Letters Home: One Man, Three Wars: A Patriot Odyssey

By Terry A. Roberts

Read straight from the heart through the eyes of Terry A. Roberts hand written letters home to family from the front lines as he relays his fears, frustrations, trials and triumphs. This work chronicles the gritty and often harsh expedition of one man in three wars as both an enlisted Marine and later as a Navy/Marine Corps Chaplain with the ever present Hand of God leading his every boot step. This patriot odyssey begins with the rigors of Marine Corps boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina and from here it journals his journey through the dirt, dust, mud and mire of various deployments to include the first Gulf War in 1990-91, to the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan with tributes to fallen brothers-in-arms and a family military heritage going back generations to the American Revolution.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 25, 2015
• ISBN: 9781512709117

Terry A. Roberts

TerryA. Roberts retired from the Navy as a Chaplain in 2012 with over thirty combat and service awards. His military career began as an enlisted Marine in 1987 as a Military Policeman in the Reserves. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky in 1989 before going on to graduate with a Master of Theology degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky in 1993. He also served as a Southern Baptist minister in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia and Alabama. Besides being a triple war combat veteran, he is also a cancer survivor. Letters Home is a companion book to his first work published in 2014, You’ve Got to Be Somewhere, An American Odyssey.

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Copyright © 2015 Terry A. Roberts.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Front cover photo by Timothy William Ross, Simi Valley, California

Back cover author photo courtesy of United States Marine Corps, Public Affairs, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Portrait images courtesy Fallen Hero Portrait Project, www.fallenheroesproject.org, and the Artist Michael G. Reagan

ARTIST NAME FOR COVER IMAGE CREDIT –Timothy W. Ross,

Simi Valley, California

Cover concept and design by Terry A. Roberts of Unbroken Circle Books

a division of REVTAR Productions, Dayton, Ohio and Teresa Tess Erwin of Erwin Design Group, Nashville, Tennessee

Kevin L. Wilson, Fairborn, Ohio, Editor

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-0910-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-0909-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-0911-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015913422

WestBow Press rev. date: 08/18/2015

CONTENTS

Author’s Note

Photo Credits

Dedication

Introduction

Forward

Family Photo Gallery

PART ONE – THE CORPS

Chapter One – Boot Camp

Chapter Two – Military Police School

Chapter Three – The Persian Gulf War

PART TWO – THE NAVY

Chapter Four – The Chaplain Corps

Chapter Five – Spain

Chapter Six – Operation Iraqi Freedom

Chapter Seven – Okinawa

Chapter Eight – Africa

Chapter Nine – They Look Like Boys, But They Fight And Die Like Men

Post Script

AUTHOR’S NOTE

I first must thank my mother, Nancy Roberts, for being diligent and dedicated to keeping all of these letters for these many decades. Without her efforts, this noble venture would not have been possible.

It was my intent to maintain the native nature of these letters as much as possible. Some redaction has occurred as a courtesy to the reader. The target audience for this book is adult, but is still suitable for most all eyes. In places, some correction to spelling and grammar was changed for the overall general readability but, where the redaction has occurred, it has not altered the meaning or spirit of the text. In places, some names and/or titles of certain individuals have been removed or altered for security reasons and/or other considerations.

The ultimate goal of this book is to show the working hand of God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit by showing the real deal of military life at the grass roots level from the prospective of one man in three wars. I was both enlisted and an officer, a reservist and on active duty as well. Additionally I served in both the Navy and Marine Corps in combat and peacetime alike. Thus I had a broad and deep perspective of modern military life.

Occasionally, excerpts from my first book, You’ve Got to Be Somewhere, An American Odyssey are reproduced throughout the text.

Special thanks are also in order for my family members who provided historical family military photos: Anita and Steve Curtis, Cassie Claire Curtis, Joan Curtis, Evelyn Curtis, Helen Roberts Hamilton, Jerry Ray Huron, Charles Gene Mahaffey, Janet Farris Merkt, Valerie Curtis Soward, Stacy Lucas Swanner, and Paul Winslow.

An additional thank you goes to my mom’s friend, Rita Kemper, for recommending the book title.

Extraordinary thanks go out to military artist Michael G. Reagan for the hand drawn pencil portraits of the fallen heroes of the Second Battalion, Eighth Marines Regiment.

Gratitude beyond mere words is mentioned here to my personal friend and personal body guard, Timothy William Ross, as we together carried the mail; as many war letters were delivered to and from the front while in Afghanistan in 2009.

Unending thanks to my lifelong friend, Kevin L. Wilson for diligently editing this epic work.

Eternal gratitude must certainly go to David H. Foster my lifelong friend and military mentor.

-Terry A. Roberts

Writing and publishing a book is like giving birth to an elephant

-Terry A. Roberts

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Nancy C. Roberts and Terry A. Roberts

PHOTO CREDITS

Nancy C. Roberts, Jackie A. Roberts, Terry A. Roberts, Timothy W. Ross, David H. Foster, Junior, Brant Durall, Fred Baker, Joseph Michael Molnar, Misty Wieser and the ever popular unknown. Also, Michael G. Reagan for the Fallen Hero Pencil Portraits.

DEDICATION

Dedicated to:

The beloved memory of my life hero, my dad, Jackie A. Roberts and in honor of my mother, Nancy C. Roberts. Additionally to all of my ancestors and relatives who inspired me and preceded me in military service to this great nation, as well as all of the thousands of fine folks with whom I served in three different wars and peacetime alike.

Pins, patches and, positions do not a leader make.

-Terry A. Roberts

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Terry A. Roberts and Jackie A. Roberts

at the Samuel Filson Tomb in Kentucky

INTRODUCTION

As a child growing up, I was inspired to join the military as I often listened to my older relatives talk about their military and combat experiences while in the service or otherwise being "in The War." These epic tales were frequently shared in the dark hours of the evening while sitting around a crackling creek-side camp fire somewhere in the wiles of Northern Kentucky. Marshmallows and hotdogs were often being burnt and beverages of various descriptions were being consumed as these tales of valor and humor were being told. My dad, Jackie A. Roberts, never served in the military as he was much too young to have served in Korea and not many his age were being drafted for service in Vietnam. However, my family’s military service is a thread which has been woven deeply into the fabric of this nation. It wasn’t until years later, that I discovered that my grandpa, Hobert Leon Jack Roberts, had been in the Navy as an enlisted man and had served in some capacity at Okinawa. Nothing much was ever said by him or others about his Navy time in the Pacific. Thus, one could conclude that his experience was either unremarkable or horrific. Either way, he never much mentioned it. His grandfather, William Roberts, served in the Union Army during the Civil War – other ancestors wore Gray. My mom, Nancy Lucas Roberts, had several uncles; brothers of my grandma Florence Curtis Lucas. They served in the The War. Most particular was my great uncle Raymond Red-Devil Curtis. He was a motor transportation sergeant in the Army. He was drafted in his late twenties. Back then, he went by the nick-name of Kentucky. He saw various amounts of combat and was sunk twice on Navy transport ships while island hopping between such places as Australia, New Guinea, The Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia), The Philippines, and so many other places en route to the Empire Island of Japan. Besides Raymond’s stories of seeing his fellow soldiers and sailors drowning or being eaten alive by sharks, were the tales of his driving supplies to the front lines in the dark, over the mountains, through the jungles – without lights, along with so many other stories. Raymond’s brother-in-law was Shay Farris. He was married to Raymond’s sister, Mae Curtis Farris. His stories were often mingled with those of Shay’s. They both loved to relay the story of their meeting on the beach of some unnamed and unremembered island. Shay approached Raymond from behind and said, Small world ain’t it Sam. Three of Raymond’s sons went on to serve in the Navy; Petty Officer Ray Curtis and his younger twin brothers, Petty Officers Gerald and Jerome Curtis. Tragically, Jerome died near his Maysville, Kentucky home in a car wreck while on Christmas leave from his service in Vietnam. Shay Farris’ daughter, Evelyn Farris Bates, was married to Colonel Paul Bates, who was an Army helicopter pilot in the 1970’s and 80’s. Other brothers of my grandmother who served in The War were; Private First Class James Curtis as an Army infantryman in China, Burma, and India. Corporal Bill Curtis, was an Army infantryman in Europe. Staff Sergeant Leslie Curtis, was in the Army Air Corps in Europe. His son, Master Sergeant Chris Curtis, who was my contemporary, served in Texas and South Korea in the Air Force. Eventually, Raymond’s younger brother, Sergeant Douglas Eugene Curtis served in the Air Force in England. Raymond’s nephew, Sergeant First Class Clarence Curtis, Junior served in the Army and the Kentucky National Guard in 1960-67 and then again in 1982-99. Clarence Junior’s son, Army Specialist John Curtis, served in the Kentucky Army National Guard from 1986-92. John was about my age.

My grandmother, Florence, had two more sisters besides Mae; they were Francis Curtis Huron and Dorothy Curtis Wilmouth. Francis’ son, Specialist 4 Jerry Ray Huron served in the Panama Canal Zone. He was in the Army Airborne from 1966-68. Dorothy was married to William Bill Wilmouth. He was known to have had multiple Purple Hearts. My fondest childhood memory of Bill was him sitting in his green vinyl reclining chair while smoking a big cigar and reading the Cincinnati Enquirer. After retiring from General Motors he made a basement full of grandfather clocks. My mom’s brother was Johnnie Lucas. His first son was Airman First Class Randy Lucas Small. He was stateside in Virginia in the Air Force in 1987- 89. Johnnie’s adopted son, Petty Officer Lee Norris Lucas served in the Navy at the Norfolk ship yards tearing out asbestos. He was about a year or two younger than me, but has since passed on to the angels due to mesothelioma cancer. My dad’s brother-in-law, Willis Hamilton, was married to my dad’s older sister Helen Roberts Hamilton. Willis was a Private First Class Army infantryman who saw much combat while serving in Europe and helped liberate the Nazi concentration camps. His son, my first cousin, Private First Class Paul Hamilton, was stateside in the Marine Corps in the 1970’s. My dad’s other sister was Brenda Roberts Mahaffey, who was married to Staff Sergeant Gene Mahaffey. He was in the Air Force and his service was involved with the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 1960’s. My dad’s older brother was Weldon Filson Roberts and his step son was Paul PJ Winslow who was a Private First Class in the Army from 1985-86. I hope I didn’t miss anyone?

Many of these stories were passed on to me at the historic Filson farm where my Dad grew up and where my aunt Helen and uncle Willis lived. My great, great, great grandfather, Samuel Blackburn Filson, served in the 7th Maryland Regiment in the American Revolution and settled the farm in 1805. He was the first Sheriff of Fleming County, Kentucky. He was put to rest in an above ground tomb that he built and engraved himself.

In memory of Samuel Filson

Departed this life 15 September 1831

in the 74th year of his age

My race is run, my glass done

My resting place is here

This rock was got to mark the spot

Fear man should dig to near

His first cousin was John Filson, who wrote and published the first history of Kentucky called The Discovery, Settlement and Present State of Kentucke. John Filson was also the original surveyor of Losantiville, Ohio, today known as Cincinnati. He died in combat with Indians on the banks of the Miami River.

Samuel’s second wife was Mary Cooper Filson. Her father, Ephraim Cooper was from Scotland and died in the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina. The Robertson Clan motto from Scotland is, Glory is the reward for valor. So for untold years before our family arrived on American shores, we were fighting the English and each other in Scotland. I don’t know how much glory there is in combat, but there certainly is valor.

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Shay Farris with Raymond Red Devil Curtis and Jackie A. Roberts Curtis Family Reunion at Ripley, Ohio 1972

In Tribute to

Sergeant Samuel Blackburn Filson,

Captain Jonathan Morris’ 5th Company

Colonel John Gunby’s 7th Maryland Regiment General William Smallwood’s Brigade

When The Smoke Cleared, I Was Still Standing

I hear tale that a Red Coat can fire his flintlock Brown Bess three, maybe four times a minute. Some say they can mark a man at 175 paces. That’s a fur piece to fire a .75 caliber round ball.

When the smoke cleared, I was still standing.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for many of my sad fellows.

Many are fallen to my left and to my right. Some dead, others worse.

Fifty paces is a mighty close distance to stand for a minute.

The Captain’s calls are in my ears and the smoke is in my eyes.

Make Ready! – Fire!

I take no particular aim as I shoulder my musket.

A misty red mass stands before me.

I cock the hammer, turn my head and pull the trigger.

A slow, but sudden blunt explosion follows –

a billow of smoke engulfs my distant foe.

In instant reflex I reach for another cartridge.

With nervous anxiety, I tear at the paper with my clutching teeth.

I prime my pan.

In unison with those still standing with me, we reach and draw our rods.

With diligent difficulty, I seat the powder and ball.

Through the smoke and over the shouts of horror, once again, with sword whirling, the Captain calls: Make Ready! – Fire!

I can’t say if through the smoke and fear,

if any of my four rounds has ever found it dreadful mark.

I fear for the both.

Rounds whizzing and thudding all about my head.

The shouts of prayers and cursing mingle the sulfur air.

But when the smoke cleared, I was still standing.

-Terry A. Roberts

FORWARD

The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.

-Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms

Lieutenant Terry A. Roberts, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy (Retired) brings to life what many of us found as our only source of joy in what is man’s failure to embrace God’s love of peace and joy for one’s fellow man. Letters from friends and family always brought a smile to one’s face as well as letters written by the millions of men and women who, while walking through the gates of hell, find themselves quickly becoming hidden writers who can focus on the horrors they experience on a daily basis.

This books represents Lieutenant Roberts’ experience through three tours and how he viewed the world as he saw it first hand while engaged in man’s greatest tragedy of his own creation; war. As a retired Marine, a Veteran of multiple combat tours and a personal friend of Lieutenant Roberts for twenty-five years, this book touches not just those of us who deployed but more so the family and friends whose only bright light of hope was letters from their loved ones deployed so far away. The anxiety felt by family and friends of not knowing where we were, when we may be coming home, coupled with the never ending stream of news on numerous cable channels could only be brought back to some sense of sanity and relief when the letter from their ones came home.

This book represents a collection of letters which cover the mindset of someone who has deployed not only as a US Marine, but also a chaplain assigned to Marines in a war zone which provides a much different perspective of men’s and women’s fear in these desperate times.

Anyone who has deployed will find this book as a walk back in time to our own experiences and how similar they are to Lieutenant Roberts. Family members will see a side of a man who has seen the shaken and the tattered effects of war.

More so, for those who wonder how one survives these difficult times, this book will open up a world which can be defined as a remarkable insight to one man’s journey through some of the most defining moments in our nation’s history.

-David H. Foster,

First Sergeant United States Marine Corps, Retired

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USMC First Sergeant David H. Foster

with Navy Lieutenant Chaplain Terry A. Roberts

FAMILY PHOTO GALLERY

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Petty Officer Hobert Jack Roberts

US Navy, World War II, Okinawa

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Private First Class Willis Hamilton

US Army, World War II, Europe

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Private First Class Paul Hamilton

USMC, Stateside, 1970’s

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Staff Sergeant Charles Gene Mahaffey

US Air Force, Cuban Missile Crisis, 1958-1966

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Private First Class Paul PJ Winslow

US Army, Stateside 1985-1986

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Petty Officer Shay Farris

US Navy, World War II, Pacific

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Sergeant Raymond Curtis

US Army, World War II, Pacific 1943-1945

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Petty Officer Ray Curtis

US Navy, USS Tarawa 1955-1959

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Petty Officer Gerald Curtis

US Navy, Vietnam, 1965-1969

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