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-Obits-

In memory of The Mustache.

2023-03-14

In memory of Walt Shumate, an American Hero, The Mustache.

A founding member of Delta Force, who died 30 years ago this month.

Served 7 combat tours in Vietnam. Covert missions in North Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Where the term "Never bet against Walt." is said to have come from.

At 44 years old, the oldest person to make it through Delta Selection.

Taught my son how to swim in his backyard pool, the old fashioned way.

Who confirmed a few months before his death, to me in the mess hall. There was a mission planned in the early 1980's to rescue ,the still held US POW's in Laos. But it was canceled by DC types for political reasons.

May his memory & honorable services be remembered.

Posted by:NN2N1

#7 You like stories about failed rogue missions ?

This article is more than 9 years old
Margaret Thatcher 'gave her approval' to her son Mark's failed coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea

Posted by: Besoeker 2023-03-14 16:23

/\ Your para 4 is spot on. Weapons and communications gear were seized when he came back into Thailand. Thai police did the dirty work, while OGA looked on. Some of the coms gear was loaned to him by active Army elements. The blowback on that little event nearly cost some careers.

Unsanctioned support to such efforts, very bad juju.

DoS and their Klingon masters didn't need any POW publicity. The POW/MIA cell at the Pentagon in the 80's was a sham. Lots of the research collected ended up in the burn bag. Officers assigned were forced to sign Non-Disclosure Statement (NDS) and threatened with loss of access (clearances). Bitterness still lingers....I am told. No publicity needed for folks and gear left behind in AFG either.

Posted by: Besoeker 2023-03-14 15:50

#5 ^ Somewhat familiar with that, but the implication above was an on-the-books mission apart from the Gritz effort. Was wondering of the above story referenced a different effort.

"Scott T. Barnes said he and three other Delta Force members were sent on a secret mission arranged by Army Col. James ''Bo'' Gritz to seek out possible camps of U.S. servicemen reportedly held in Laos. He said he and the group crossed into Laos from Thailand in October, 1981, and found an ''armed camp'' with between 39 and 45 captives who appeared to be Americans.

Barnes told the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee that photographs were taken of the camp and the voices of the men were recorded by sensitive sound equipment.

But on return to Bangkok, Thailand, Barnes said, the information was seized by Defense Intelligence Agency and U.S. Embassy personnel. He said he was ordered not to divulge any information regarding the mission or he would be charged with violating the U.S. Neutrality Act."

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-01-29-8601080050-story.html

Posted by: NoMoreBS 2023-03-14 15:33

#4 /\ You may be referring to some of the activities conducted by James Gordon "Bo" Gritz during that period.

Posted by: Besoeker 2023-03-14 14:47

#3 "There was a mission planned in the early 1980's to rescue ,the still held US POW's in Laos."

Anyone have a link to more information about this?

Posted by: NoMoreBS 2023-03-14 12:43

#2 God bless the warriors.

Posted by: JohnQC 2023-03-14 10:42

#1 ...A good, brave, and honorable man.

Though if his nickname was the Mustache, he and Robin Olds probably had a long discussion over a beer at Fiddlers' Green.

Mike

Posted by: MikeKozlowski 2023-03-14 10:11

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