Remembering a Hero - Dr. Terry Barrett, The Leo Alumni, Veterans Everywhere and Cpl. John Fardy, Medal of Honor Hero

I scanned in haste - apologies all around - click on the photo and zoom in for a better view.
On Monday, I received a treasure. Miss Adams, the executive secretary for Leo High School handed me a package from Dr. Terry Barrett. It was his book The Search for the Forgotten Thirty-four: Honored by the U.S. Marines, Unheralded in their Hometowns?

The back cover of this book features the grave marker that was replaced by Dr. Barrett, The Marine Corps, The Medal of Honor Foundation and especially the Leo Alumni Association behind the leadership of Vietnam U.S. Army Hero - Jim Furlong ( Leo '65). Until August 15, 2011, passersby had no idea that beneath the well-managed sod of Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in south suburban Alsip, lay the bones of a Medal of Honor Marine - John Peter Fardy. With a heads up from Dr. Barrett, Jim Furlong and Mark Lee ( Leo '85) sparked the energy to do honors long overdue.

It was Terry Barrett's research on heroes forgotten here at home, though their actions in defense of America were the highest and most noble sources for a study of valor, that brought all of us together and offer some fair tribute.

Dr. Barrett's book is now available to us all. I read the entire 612 pages over two nights and re-read Chapter 18 several times. Beginning on page 255, the story of Cpl. John Peter Fardy is laid out with painstaking attention to detail. Dr. Barrett unearthed records and family members to capture some of John Fardy's soul. That soul is magnificent. John Fardy smothered a Japanese grenade with his body in order to protect the squad of Marines he was leading in the fight for Okinawa. Barrett notes early in the book that of the 82 Marines awarded the Medal of Honor during WWII, 27 hurled themselves on live grenades, like Leo's John Fardy (Barrett 155).

A psychologist, as well as a Marine, Dr. Barrett explains that there is no training in the Marin Corps Manual for throwing one's self on a grenade. He explains with exacting detail how a Marine in combat might react to a grenade tossed into his foxhole - he might try and throw back, or he might leap from the hole, or in the worst scenario, keep fighting if he cannot reach the missile.

Psychologist Barret details the five steps necessary in taking any action ( Sensation, Perception, Recognition, Conclusion, Decision and Action). Jim Furlong and Mark Lee were made aware of John Fardy, recognized that his valor was unheralded, concluded that this would not stand, decided to get into the fight and honored John Fardy. Leo's motto is Deeds Not Words - Facta Non Verba.

In Chapter 18 there is a great subheading to some beautiful paragraphs - it is a quote from a man who lost some of leg to a Viet Cong grenade, Jim Furlong -" We Will Get This Done" ( Barrett, 282).

Click my post title and get this book.

My Photos of The Cpl. John Fardy Memorial at Holy Sepulchre

And where is MacArthur? Well, we don't like to tell
But he's in a place that Marines all know very well
For he's now down in Dago and trying hard to be
Promoted from a general to a Jarhead PFC author unknown


Marine Corps 2011 and The Old Corps - this spry be-medaled Full Colonel was everywhere at the Memorial.
Two Korean War Marines Avoiding the Shade.
Marine League and Patriot Riders inspected by the Colonel.
America's Most Exclusive and Precious Fraternity -The Purple Heart Veterans - Jim Furlong who conducted this tribute to Valor is a fully paid up member of the Purple Heart Warriors.
Vietnam Marine and 11th Ward Alderman Jim Balcer pays tribute to the family of Cpl. John Fardy and inspects the Medal of Honor bestowed upon Cpl.John P. Fardy.
Leo Football Coach Mike Holmes and author of the forthcoming book on John Fardy and thirty three fellow Medal of Honor Marines, Dr. Terry Barrett -the event's keynote speaker flank our Leo Lions who helped provide comfort and care. Thanks Men!
Chicago's Own the 2nd Battalion of the 24th Marines Present the Colors and begin the tribute to Cpl. John Peter Fardy, CMOH and Leo Class of 1940 - Semper Fidelis and Facta Non Verba!

These Old Hands by Cpl. Robert L. Cook
Jan. 42~Sept. 45

These old hands
Have gone the distance,
These old hands
Have felt the pain.
They have borne
The heat of jungles,
They have caught
The falling rain.

They have held
An issued rifle
Given to me by
The Corps.
They have pushed
And pulled
And hoisted,
And they seldom
E'er complained.

They have built
And have destroyed,
They have worked
For war and peace.
And when 'tis all
Said and done
And they are laid away,
They have served me
And the nation.
What more
Can I say?

Leo Man Jim Furlong: Vietnam Hero, Mentor and Host of Cpl. John Fardy Memorial

Jim Furlong lost a leg to a Vietnamese Communist grenade in the late 1960's. Jim Furlong does not expect an electric chair on rail to take him up to Leo's third floor gym when he attends most Leo basketball homes games. Jim has never missed the Leo Veterans Observances held in the War Memorial courtyard on the Friday immediate before November 11th Veterans Day. Jim is a Leo Hall of Fame Alumnus, who not attends every banquet, golf outing or fundraiser, but plunges both hands into the tasks.

The Cpl. John Peter Fardy, USMC Memorial held in a few hours at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery at 10 A.M. today, is due to Jim Furlong.

Jim Furlong and Mark Lee worked to get this operation moving and completed. Here is Jim's report:

About 24 hours now until the August 8 ceremony for Cpl. John P. Fardy, Medal of Honor winner and Leo HS Class of 1940.

Pretty sure everything is checked and double checked. Feel good everything is ready to go.

I am very proud that the 2nd Batallion, 24th Marine Division will provide fine young Marines for the Honor Guard and Flag Presentation to the Next of Kin. An invocation is to be done by Fr. Tom Mescall a fellow Leo 65 graduate We have a very strong voiced young man to sing the National Anthem, Irish National Anthem (in Gaellic), and the Marine Corps Hymn (all a capella). Dr. Terence Barrett, who authored a book about Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipients in the latter months of WWII in the Pacific, will be our keynote speaker and I'm sure will be able to put Cpl. Fardy's deeds on that May Day in proper perspective. A great bagpiper will play Amazing Grace during the ceremony and Oh Danny Boy as a recessional. Tom Day, a great patriot and founder of Bugles Across America, will render a rifle salute with an M-1 Carbine which was the weapon used by the USMC during WWII. Tom will then play a verision of TAPS that will probably make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

As for other details, we've got a few dozen chairs lined up, and I have a sign to put on a sandwich board to place at the Cemetery entrance to point you in the right direction and several small American Flags to place every 30-50 feet or so to the gravesite. Over 250 programs are printed up. I have a gross of small American Flags that I would like us to place around the headstone as we leave the Ceremony. I have attached a word document to this email which gives the order of the Program.

Now God willing, if He will grace us with a beautiful day.

One last thing, Rich Doyle could you check with Jenny's and see if they have room for us to gather for lunch after the ceremony. It will be a pay-as-you-go lunch and cash bar.

FACTA NON VERBA.

Jim

That says it all . . .

Jim Furlong:Was with B/2/14 of the 25th from May 68 until I was injured and evac'd to Fitzsimons Army Hospital. WIA January 3, 1969. Was a Sgt on an Eagle Flight on January 3 when I got sideways with a grenade thrown by Charlie. Would be interested with others in my unit at that time. Remember spending a lot of time at FSB Keene.