 Gabe Conde and Dave Jepsen - Two of the finest Marines you will ever find! Both have reported to their final duty station on high! Semper Fi Marines! MEMORIES OF GABE CONDE I received this email from George Norris who served with Gabe "Moose" Conde, George was in the 2nd Plt - 6/51 - 6/52 "Hello Shifty, I want to thank you so much for letting us (Gwen and me) know of the death of "Moose". My condolences to both his and his wife's family. The last visit we had with Moose and his wife was at the reunion in St. Louis. It is with a swollen heart that I write these few things that I remember. I can't say that "Moose" was my best friend, because all of us who fought together were on the same trail and would have and did die for each other. Moose and I, along with Johnny Fryer, walked in the same footsteps as all our Marine buddies did. I will try to remember some of the comical and some serious things that went on the times we were together. Moose was much a man and much a Marine. I cannot remember the objectives and the hill numbers and times we were ordered to take a certain position, however, I can remember my squad (all volunteers) and I were sent on a duck blind to capture |
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prisoners. We had a brand new
platoon leader, a 1st Lt. (which was unusual), who came with us. We got set up with the machine gun being protected by the rest of the squad. Here comes the platoon leader and told us to move it out on the point. I questioned him as a Buck Sgt. would, but anyway, it was moved. Moose came down to me and asked where the machine gun was? I told him, which didn't go over too well with him, so it was moved back. This was at the time when we were issued thermal boots and all white snowsuits. The same thing happened again. At the second return of the machine gun, Moose and the 1st Lt. clashed. I had never heard a Buck Sgt. chew out a 1st Lt. like he did. The reason I remember this so vividly, is that I was thinking about a Court Martial. (Mine!). Everything turned out okay; we all got a good slug of liquor. We needed it. I would really like to know about the 1st Lt. He was transferred as a liaison officer awhile after this. He did become a good Marine and friend.
Another time, a little on the emotional side, we were ordered to take an objective, I believe in the central part of the zone. It was supposed to be easy. Baker Co was going to jump off, Able Co leapfrog them, then Charlie Co take the Hill. It didn't happen that way. Baker Co ran up against some heavy firing, we (Able) tried to jump through and hold our position. The word was passed up to "withdraw". (The first and only time I heard this the entire time I was there.) At this point I was the Platoon Sgt. of the Second Platoon. We finally got everyone back and as I made my withdrawal I ran directly in front of Moose's machine gun. He told me he had burned out two barrels and the moment I came into his sights, the third one jammed. He told me this awhile later, and he teared up pretty much. This let me know that Moose's heart was |
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much bigger than any other part of his body.
These are just a couple of things that I remember and I could probably write a whole book about Moose. We will all certainly miss this great Marine. Respectively, Semper Fi! George Norris" Email from Sgt Major Jim Skinner to George Norris. "George, Great to receive your Email this morning. Enjoyed the recall of memories of "Moose". Seems that at one time "Moose" planned to turn in his M-1 rifle for a 105 howitzer to carry as his T/O weapon, but my recall not to swift these days. I know that 2ndLt Ruppel had the 2nd Plt for a while. He was a tall fellow. His Dad was a biggie at Colliers magazine. He joined us in Aug51 and left us Nov51. He became a New York lawyer and now deceased. Heard rumor he got "Purple Heart" due to a "charlie ration can" exploding in a fire. That is likely fiction. HiHi. A 1stLt Nadeau, Edward L. joined us in Nov51, and I have no recall of him at all. He left us Jan52. I am so honored to have served with you and the others of Stable Able One Seven. I do remember the CMC visit and the attention he paid to Lt Ruppel. The company commander at that time was Capt Hampton. The outpost was prior to 673. Lt Bell was CO and Lt Burns was XO when we first went out there then |
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Semper Fi |