A MARINE’S, MARINE!
The Story of Brigadier General Francis W. Tief
By Ret. Capt. Paul Sullivan
Brigadier General Francis W. Tief
I remember Brigadier General Francis W. Tief when he was first introduced to me by my sister Joan who brought him home from Washington DC when she was a secretary at the Pentagon building.
This was in 1954, and he was a Captain in the United States Marine Corps at that time. He became my brother-in-law when my sister Joan brought him to Boston for a second visit back in the fall of 1954.
My first impression of him was quite simply that he was a “Marine’s Marine”. About 6’ 5”, 230 lbs of “twisted blue steel” (I think he would have liked that phrase). I took a liking to him immediately. He graduated from Georgetown University and became a 20-year-old 2nd Lt. with his first assignment being that of a tank commander while on board his ship on the way to Korea. As I recall, he told me he knew nothing about tanks. He was given a crash course on tanks by a couple of NCOs while on board ship. Thank God for NCOs!
He soon found himself in “Hell” in one of the bloodiest battles in and around the Chosin Reservoir. The Powers that be never did call it a war, just a Korean Conflict. For whatever reason, they still don’t. I can only guess that the USA was still drawing down troops from WWII, helping GI’s find jobs and build a business of their own.
As I understand, his Silver Star was earned when a Colonel, soon to be General, “Chesty Puller” was told that his Marines were definitely surrounded. His response was something like, “Now we got the Bastards!” His order was simply “Move to a more strategic position as quickly as possible”. In Marine Corps lingo—“Retreat!”.
As I was told, Frank belayed that order “as quickly as possible” until all his men, other Marines, as well as anybody else, whether they were dead, wounded, alive, barely alive, limping, frost-bitten or just plain struggling to walk out of there could actually make it out. As I understood it, while he inspired and encouraged his troops, all the men, equipment and tanks did make it out.
Apparently, it was damn near “Congressional Medal of Honor stuff. Enough honor for his courage and leadership under fire to give this young 2nd Lt. the Silver Star for uncommon valor in the face of unrelenting fire from all sides overlooking his position. Naturally, all Marines were proud of him; so was his family, and of course I joined that crowd of fans as well.
The Communist Chinese may have been numerically superior (their 100,000 to our 20,000), but our MARINES, knowing there was no alternative but success, dealt the Chinese a devastating blow through their superior leadership and tenacity to hang tough. Francis Walter Tief, my brother-in law by this time, was part of that history.
There‘s a saying out there somewhere that there is no better friend and no worse enemy than a United States Marine. The Chinese met Frank and his Marines and they knew this for sure. I know that Frank’s profound faith in his men and his courage throughout this Chosin Resevoir “police action” could only have encouraged and inspired his men to hang tough. After all is said and done, every Marine felt he would make it. Hell, there was no alternative but success! Right?
The General assisted me several times during my tours of active and reserve duty through a few situations and predicaments in which I found myself. (Some of my escapades will be in future issues.)
It was Frank Tief who told me about the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course (PLC). I followed his suggestion and enrolled for training to become an officer in the United States Marine Corps!
His suggestion was simple: “If you want to join the military, go as an officer by doing your two summer boot camps successfully, graduate with a degree from college and successfully complete several months (32 week) Officer Basic training at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, VA." Since I admired this man and trusted his judgment I took his advice and never looked back.