Memories of Eldon

This is me in RT Idaho team hootch. The RPD is Eldon’s. I carried it with drum loaded but also had spare belts, as in the photo. Both drums and links were hard to come by as had to be captured. When I used Eldon’s RPD he told me “Pick up the links, if at all possible.” I did.

1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta – (Airborne)
(1st SFOD-D)

Change of Command Ceremony Program

10 July 1998

This photo was taken in the Oval Office with President George H. W. Bush following JUST CAUSE in Panama. The occasion was for the President to award the Silver Star to SFC Sam Joseph, the leader of the team that rescued Kurt Muse from his cell in Modello Prison…the event which kicked off the country wide operations that followed. Eldon, then a MAJ, was Sam’s commander reporting to me, then a COL, as commander of the unit, and GEN Downing, then a two star, was JSOC commander at the time and was my boss. He died in ’07. In addition to the award ceremony, we did a classified briefing of all our operations in Panama for the President and his main national security staff. GEN Powell was the CJCS and Dick Cheney was the SECDEF… both were at the briefing and ceremony and had actually flown down to see us in Panama shortly after things wrapped up down there.

I knew the General when we were both posted to the “unit”. He was my troop, squadron, and unit commander during an especially bad period for me. We were hunting Pablo Escobar when my Blackhawk crashed in the Colombian jungle. This was my 3rd crash in 5 months. He was instrumental in insuring I would have the year I requested to heal (which was not to be). He was also instrumental in moving me to the top of the promotion list for 8, and that I got it. To me, he was the most thoughtful, caring commander I ever had. As they say, I would follow him to hell. Even after I retired, he provided my first wheelchair and whatever else he could help me with. He IS and always will be a LEGEND.

My name is Robert E. Dimond III. I am a retired US Army Special Forces MSG (Master Sergeant). I first met Eldon close to 50 years ago when he was an SSG (Staff Sergeant). We were both with Special Forces in Vietnam assigned to Special Operations (SOG) running top secret missions. The last time I saw and talked to Eldon was about 5 or 6 years ago. He was a great leader and his death was a big shock to all of us in the military community.

I served with Eldon in CCN, and he was my friend, my dear friend. I wrote two books about those years, titled We Few and Whispers in the Tall Grass. Eldon is in both. I knew him when he was a sergeant and later when he became an officer. I would occasionally drop in on his life which were bright spots in my life as I traveled the world.

Eldon was my friend, my defender and comrade and peer. We shall forever miss him, he was our Prince and fellow warrior, an example and paragon of what it means to be a leader and warrior. I salute you for your efforts to honor him. I am honored to have been his comrade and friend. His sons have the same spark and light, and have and will be tribute to his memory.

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Mount Rainier, Washington 24 August 1986. Eldon is in front on the right – he is reenlisting Edward “Eddie” Bugarin on the left. Of the six times I have climbed Mount Rainier, two times were with Eldon. He was the commander of A Squadron and we took the whole squadron up to the top. I believe Eldon climbed the mountain 13 times. The two times I climbed the mountain with Eldon were 22-24 August 1986 and 3-6 September 1991.  Both times were up to Camp Muir and the Disappoint Cleaver routes.

I served with MG Bargewell at 1st SFOD-D in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. He was a Warrior’s Warrior. He was courageous, resilient, honest, competent, and personable. A Leader who cared for his troops and shared all their hardships and risks. All military combat leaders should strive to emulate the qualities of MG Bargewell. He made the world a safer place.

MG Bargewell was a personal mentor to many of us; an absolute inspiration as a Soldier and Commander. He will always be remembered as one of the best Leaders in our Army.

B Squadron – Delta
Eldon Bargewell (top row, far left), Mike Vining (fourth row, far right).

General Bargewell was the SOCEUR Commander in 1999, when we were in the midst of Combat in Serbia, he tore up an LOR (A Letter of Reprimand) . To be honest I deserved a swift kick in the pants but, he asked me if I felt there was a threat that needed to be addressed? My answer was yes, he told me he wanted NCOs who took initiative! Don’t do it again! Now, get out of my office! I saluted and he extended his hand and when I shook it he gave me his coin #20. The first presented outside of his staff. It truly was an honor!