An All American Falls: Command Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley, Featured in “We Were Soldiers” Had Died

Command Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley is an All American hero.

There are few, if any, in history like him.

He was 92:

Plumley of Columbus was also a veteran of World War II and the Korean War during a career that spanned 32 years. After retiring from the Army in 1974, he was employed at Martin Army Community Hospital at Fort Benning for another 15 years.

In Vietnam, he served as the sergeant major of 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment which was commanded by Lt. Gen. Hal Moore. Moore was a lieutenant colonel in the 1965 battle that led to a book co-authored by Moore titled, “We Were Soldiers Once, and Young.”

From Wikipedia:

Awards and Decorations

 Combat Infantryman Badge (three awards)

 Master Combat Parachutist Badge with gold star (indicating 5 combat jumps)

 Vietnam Army Basic Parachutist Badge

	Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster
	Legion of Merit
	Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and Valor Device
	Purple Heart with three Oak Leaf Clusters
	Air Medal with one silver and three bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
	Army Commendation Medal
	Army Presidential Unit Citation with two Oak Leaf Clusters
	Army Good Conduct Medal (6 or 11 awards)
	American Defense Service Medal
	American Campaign Medal
	European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Arrowhead device and 1 silver and 3 bronze campaign stars (to signify 8 campaigns and 4 combat jumps)
	World War II Victory Medal
	Army of Occupation Medal
	National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster
	Korean Service Medal with Arrowhead device and three campaign stars
	Vietnam Service Medal with one silver and three bronze campaign stars
	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
	French Croix de Guerre (for World War II service) (attachments unknown, but at least 1 bronze star)
	Belgian Croix de Guerre (for World War II service) (attachments unknown, but at least 1 bronze lion)
	Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star
	Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
	Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm
	United Nations Service Medal for Korea
	Vietnam Campaign Medal
	Republic of Korea War Service Medal

Order of Saint Maurice

 Garry Owen Distinctive unit insignia

10 Service Stripes, indicating 30 – 32 years of service.

In the movie “We Were Soldiers,” he was played by Sam Elliot. Those who knew him said he was sugar coated in the movie, that in real life he was meaner and tougher:

That’s saying something.

Rest in peace, Command Sgt. Maj.