Talk:R. Lee Ermey

Military retirement

The article quotes rleeermy.com saying

"and was medically retired for injuries received"

However, his medals do not show nor does he claim to have a Purple Heart.

I think this is a misleading implication he was injured in combat when he was not. It would be clearer to simply say "medically retired." — Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.178.60.137 (talk) 17:25, 12 May 2018 (UTC)

True, he was not injured in combat (no Purple Heart), because he was never in combat (no "CAR"). It is actually quite difficult to find out what Ermey actually did in the Marine Corp, other than serving as a drill instructor. Every GOOGLE hit I looked at failed to indicate his actual job. He was in an aviation support unit, but what he actually did is unknown. However it is quite certain that he was not involved in combat. His list of awards does not include the Navy/Marine "CAR" (Combat Action Ribbon) which has pretty much the same requirements as the Army CIB (Combat Infantry Badge), i.e., you got shot at and you returned fire. To me it's almost like a conspiracy to hide what his job actually was because of his very successful acting career. Anyway, I thank him for his service, and revere his record. Arcic Fox (talk) 22:01, 25 April 2019 (UTC)

Arcic Fox, Nice to meet you! Ermey was decorated with a Gallantry Cross for "deeds of valor or heroic conduct while in combat with the enemy". Regards ~mitch~ (talk) 19:30, 16 August 2020 (UTC)

This link should be pretty reliable as to Ermey's assignments and deployments. "Ermey then served in Marine Wing Support Group 17 at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan. In 1968, he was ordered to Vietnam with MWSG-17, and spent 14 months in country. The remainder of his service was on Okinawa where he was advanced to staff sergeant (E-6). He was medically discharged in 1972 because of several injuries incurred during his service." The nature of his injuries, or precisely where or when he received them, was not disclosed. However, this source does indicate that they were received "in service", so the article is correct as written. General Ization ^Talk 04:12, 17 August 2020 (UTC)

Ermey's April 2018 obituary in The Washington Post should set the record straight on this: "Mr. Ermey was rejected by the Navy before entering the Marines in 1961. His military career effectively ended eight years later when he was wounded by a rocket near the Vietnamese city of Danang. He bought 'a run-down bar and whorehouse in Okinawa,' he said, and still had shrapnel in his back and shoulder when he began studying drama at the University of Manila." General Ization ^Talk 05:10, 17 August 2020 (UTC)

The problem I have is the used of the word / term "retired". He was medically discharged, but there is no evidence anywhere that I've seen to show that he was actually "retired" from the USMC. And yes - there is a huge big difference! Also, if he was not actually retired, then the article needs to be corrected. Same for the article about his show "Mail Call". Just replace it with "discharged". 174.170.93.139 (talk) 02:46, 8 December 2023 (UTC)

Who's the a-hole who set the top search suggestion for "R Lee" to "R Lee Armey"?!?!

I don't know how someone manipulates the top results that show up in the drop down search bar, but apparently someone who "Aint Ready to be a Marine Yet" has played a little joke on our beloved Corps!Bstruebing (talk) 03:30, 23 May 2020 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bstruebing (talk • contribs) 03:19, 23 May 2020 (UTC)

"R. Lee Armey" is a common misspelling of the actor's name, so is a redirect to this article using the correct spelling. Search terms are presented in the drop down in alphabetical order (not by popularity), so naturally, and correctly, "R Lee Armey" appears before "R Lee Ermey" (also a redirect, lacking punctuation) and "R. Lee Ermey" (the title of this article). All end up presenting the same article with the correct name. General Ization ^Talk 04:06, 17 August 2020 (UTC)

Drill instructor ~

There seems to be a dispute about whether Ermey was a drill instructor. IP started on 31 July 2020 here and reverted edits [1],[2] and General Ization reverted here, IP returned and reverted [3],[4],[5],[6],[7], then it seems IP signed in as User:Anonymous9654 and began removing content from the lead, here and from the info box here. The IP was warned on their talk page here since the user now has an account, ~ Was Ermey a drill instructor or not? ~ Regards ~mitch~ (talk) 16:42, 16 August 2020 (UTC)

This source (US Naval Institute) says that he was. https://news.usni.org/2019/01/18/video-marine-actor-r-lee-ermey-buried-arlington-national-cemetery General Ization ^Talk 18:54, 16 August 2020 (UTC)

And so does this. https://marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=TrainingExt&ID=162055 General Ization ^Talk 18:57, 16 August 2020 (UTC)

In this image https://www.flickr.com/photos/becknell/293677163/, which also appears in Commons and in this article, Ermey (pictured in real life on November 8, 2006, not in a role) was clearly wearing the Drill Instructor Ribbon (above his right breast pocket, closest to centerline). That should settle it definitively unless someone would like to accuse Ermey of stolen valor (in which case they will need to make and defend that accusation on this Talk page). General Ization ^Talk 19:05, 16 August 2020 (UTC)

Also here. Apparently Tripod won't allow direct-linking to the picture file, but it is accesable from this page - https://jdgrose115.tripod.com/Ermey/picpage.html

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal

I served with SGT Emery on the Drill Field in 1966 and was with one of the three battalions that landed in Vietnam in 1965 that qualify for the AFEM. This medal acredited to him is in error. As I recall he was a gate guard at the PX in DaNang. A review of his DD214 would be in order. A VCG w/Palm was awarded later to individuals and have the citation document. It states on it the reason for valor award. It would require a Combat Action Ribbon. In the Marine Corps, like the VCG, during this period was very rare being a Vietnamese Award. BOTH require an Officer witness entry in a SRB usually on the fitness report. In 1966 Sgt Emery wore no such decorations. While I was not allowed to wear my VCG w/Palm in 1966 as it was not authorized nor known what it was; even though signed by the Prime Minister. A "Head of State" award. It was NOT a good conduct medal. It was the highest degree of valor medal Vietnam could award at that time. 2601:281:C781:4F00:0:0:0:89 (talk) 18:00, 24 April 2024 (UTC)

Thank you for your service. Do you happen to have a reliable source that supports your claim? Personal knowledge is not verifiable to our readers or editors and therefore not acceptable, even if you're an Expert. Cheers, - FlightTime (open channel) 18:37, 24 April 2024 (UTC)