Blog Post July 2026
My faithful readers, it is an eventful time to be alive, and many of you have been celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth. Let’s hope we can have many more as a free nation. As promised last month, I am clarifying my motivation for becoming a member of the Airborne. For those who don’t know the actual meaning of the term, “Airborne,” it is the official U.S. Army designation for its paratroopers. Although there are other smaller airborne units, the five most recognized are the 75th Army Ranger Regiments, Army Special Forces (AKA Green Berets), 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. I was with the 82nd Airborne in 1970, 1971, and 1972
My MOS was 11B2P, which meant I was a grunt who jumped out of airplanes, which included a jump from an antiquated C-47, as well as another from a C-119, and a couple dozen jumps from C-130s and C-141s. Oh yeah, I also made a couple low-level jumps from Huey helicopters, and three night jumps, which were “interesting” to say the least. So, this leads me to my promise for this month—that is to explain why I volunteered for such a thing as the Airborne.
You see, I have often been asked, “Why in the world did you decide to become a paratrooper?” or “What possessed you to jump out of a perfectly airplane?” And folks are rightfully curious, but I usually try to keep it light with a little humor. Most of the time I tell them, “When you’re 18 years old, you’re subject to try almost anything.” The truth, however, is it’s not quite that simple.
It was sometime around 1955 to 1959 when my mother used to take us for our “shots” to a pediatrician many miles away out on Jackson Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. His name was Clifton Wooley.
Think of Normal Rockwell’s painting “Before the Shot,” except I was staring at a framed black and white photo of Dr. Wooley wearing full combat gear and a parachute, standing beside a C-47 aircraft. Mama later showed me old newspaper clippings about Dr. Wooley being awarded the Bronze Star and the Silver Star Medals for heroism. He was my first, but not my last unintended inspiration.
Somewhere around ten or twelve years later, two teammates from my high school football team (who were in the class ahead of mine) joined the Army Special Forces upon graduation. By the time I graduated, one of them was already in Vietnam and the other was in Panama. Both were teammates I highly respected—small in stature but tougher than leather straps. Sergeant Robert Hill finished his service, and we both later worked at the Federal Express World Hub in Memphis. CW5 Buddy (Edward G.) Klein remained in the Army and retired as a highly decorated Master Chief. He lives in Jackson, Mississippi, and we still visit on occasion.
So, you see, I had three examples of what real men did when they were called to duty. Besides, I hated the idea of hiking or riding in a boat to get to a fight. Little did I know, the Airborne runs everywhere: to first formations, to the mess hall, to sick call, the latrine, the training areas—you name it. We never walked when outside of a building. We ran.
NEWS on the author business: I have lowered the price on all my English language e-books on Amazon to $5.99. For whatever reason, Amazon has decided to make them less likely to appear with various search words. I am hoping the price reduction will increase sales and perhaps give Amazon a reason to make them more visible. You can use the link below to reach my Amazon Author page where all the books can be seen and purchased.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rick-DeStefanis/author/B00H2YO2SS
More news: For those who like to just close your eyes and have your book read to you. I used the Amazon virtual voice system to record Valley of the Purple Hearts as an audio book, and it’s available at Amazon.com or Audible Books.
If you have an interest in purchasing a signed hardcover of any of my books, email me. I have a limited number, and at this point I make no promises. If I receive requests, I will send an estimated cost to those who send me messages with their requests. Send your request to rickdestefanis@gmail.com with “Hardcover Book Request” in the subject line. I will respond one way or another.
Send your comments. I would like to hear from you.
Have a Happy Summer.
Rick DeStefanis
