Message From Our Chaplain
Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460
Veteran-Owned and Serving You Since 1902
At Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460, we know how much it means to serve. As a veteran-owned organization, we are committed to meeting the needs of those in our community. We’ve been open since 1902, and that means we’ve spent over 120 years helping people right here in Solon, IA.
As part of our mission, we are open to the public for meals, special events, and more. To learn more about Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 and what we’re all about, read this recent letter from our chaplain from December 2024.
A Message From Chaplain Doug Thompson
According to military historians, the top five most dangerous jobs in Vietnam were the Medivac crews, Radio Operators, Machine Gunners, Tunnel Rats, and Combat Medics/Navy Corpsmen. Statically, the expectancy of being wounded or killed for a Medivac crew during a firefight was 19 seconds, Radio Operators 10 seconds, Tunnel Rats and Machine Gunners 7 seconds, and Combat Medics/Corpsmen 6 seconds. This, of course, doesn't mean everyone who held these jobs was killed or wounded. The times for life expectancy is based on how many men served in these positions during the entire war and the number killed or wounded within their respective specialties. Based on the military historical records, approximately 40% of all Combat Medics/Corpsmen were wounded, and approximately 1,100 Combat Medics and 680 Corpsmen were killed in action.
When a Combat Medic or Corpsman came home from Vietnam, and they weren't wounded, well, that in itself was a miracle. This is why, from my perspective, their deaths after they came home were even more tragic. For example, in 1968, I came home on a 96-hour pass, and I happened to run into a classmate of mine at our high school homecoming game. It turned out that Jim enlisted in the Navy shortly after our graduation and was a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman. Jim told me that he was “the luckiest guy in the world because he just returned from Vietnam without a scratch.” Three days later, he was killed. According to the newspaper story, the tragic car accident occurred when his car was struck broadside. The driver who hit him failed to turn on his headlights and ran a stop sign. According to the news story, the intoxicated driver was not injured.
Navy Corpsman Norman Frink's flag graces Solon's avenue of flags every year. According to his older sister, Carolyn Trump, “Norm was always very helpful to others. He did those things because he wanted to help others, not for what he could get for helping.” During a particular firefight, Carolyn's little brother Norman crawled out to retrieve wounded Marines, and in doing so, he exposed himself to enemy fire. Once he reached the wounded, he crawled back, pulling the Marines to the safety of limited cover, and treated their injuries. I am not certain how many times he crawled out and back, but through divine intervention, he was not struck by enemy bullets. Norman was awarded the Bronze Star for that one firefight. I am certain that episode was not the last time he exposed himself to enemy fire in order to save the lives of his Marines. Norman, like my classmate, returned home from Vietnam without any physical injury.
After he was discharged from the Navy, Norman moved to Chicago, taking a job managing a parking garage. In 1977, Norman's family was notified that he had hung himself. None of Norman's personal effects were returned to the family. The information they received surrounding his death seemed dubious at best. Norman's parents reached out to their family lawyer to inquire about more clarity. Approximately a week later, two men showed up at the lawyer's office. These men made it very clear that they were armed, and it would be best for him and the Frink family's health to drop any further inquiries.
The senseless deaths of these two Navy Corpsmen give me pause. Where is the silver lining surrounding these two lives that were cut short? Maybe such tragedies are the reminders that highlight the importance of embracing each day with grateful and joyful hearts filled with compassion towards others.
Doug Thompson, Chaplain
Note: For those of you who do not know, Chaplain Thompson was a US Navy Corpsman - Fleet Marine Force veteran and served a tour in Vietnam.
Denny Hansen
Share On: