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Too Old For Military Service?....Yeah Right!!!!
ironjohn929
Member Posts: 1,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
April 26, 2005
57-year-old hospital corpsman cares for Marines in Iraq
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Paul G. Nutter consoles a member of the Iraqi Freedom Guard after an explosion killed two and wounded three others while they were on patrol in Haqlaniya, Iraq. - Cpl. Ken Melton / U.S. Marine Corps photo
Press release
HADITHA DAM, Iraq - Most people begin thinking about retirement by the time they reach 50 years old. Being in or around a combat environment would likely be the last thing on their minds. But age hasn't slowed one 57-year-old hospital corpsman with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Paul G. Nutter of Akron, Ohio, is overseas and serving his country for a second time. This time though he is with a different service.
Nutter graduated from Akron-Butchel High School in 1966, where he won the regional 100-yard backstroke and 50-yard individual medley events in 1965 and 1966.
Upon graduating Nutter wanted to do something different instead of going to school or working at the local factory.
"My uncle was a Marine veteran of World War II. He inspired my decision to go with the best," Nutter said. "So I joined the Corps."
In the Corps, Nutter served as an infantryman with Force Recon and participated in the Easter Offense in Hue City.
"This was the first time that we had ever fought house-to-house and street-to-street," Nutter stated. "The MOUT (Military Operations Urban Terrain) training that Marines go through today is a result of that."
After serving eight years in the Marine Corps, reaching the rank of gunnery sergeant, Nutter returned to civilian life. Returning from serving his country, he found himself continuing to serve those in need by becoming a fireman and paramedic. During this time he also attended Akron University and graduated with an associate's degree in gerontology in 1978.
In 1990 he became a full-time paramedic and decided to serve his nation again, but this time he chose a different Corps.
"I joined the Naval Reserves as a field corpsman right at the start of the Gulf War," Nutter said. "I wanted to be able to help my fellow Marines with the knowledge I had gained from my civilian life experience."
While he didn't get the chance to deploy then, he kept his skills sharp so if he were ever called upon he would be ready.
As Operation Iraqi Freedom rolled into its third year, he received his chance to deploy in support of the Marines. In March he found himself in Iraq with the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment.
Though his wife has concerns for his safety due to his age, Nutter knows the Marines around him will keep him safe.
"My wife worries more now because of my age than she did when I was deployed in 1966. We were just dating back then," he said. "I know that everything will be alright as long as the Marines are here and the corpsmen are here to keep them healthy."
Nutter has served 23 years in the military and is the oldest service member attached to the battalion. He plans to retire after his mission here.
"I've seen a lot, done a lot and made a difference over the past few decades. I never had any regrets as long as I know I helped keep the Marines and the Naval Corps going strong," Nutter said.
- Cpl. Ken Melton, 2nd Marine Division
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Copyright c 2005
Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service.
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference...The Marines don't have that problem" Ronald Reagan
57-year-old hospital corpsman cares for Marines in Iraq
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Paul G. Nutter consoles a member of the Iraqi Freedom Guard after an explosion killed two and wounded three others while they were on patrol in Haqlaniya, Iraq. - Cpl. Ken Melton / U.S. Marine Corps photo
Press release
HADITHA DAM, Iraq - Most people begin thinking about retirement by the time they reach 50 years old. Being in or around a combat environment would likely be the last thing on their minds. But age hasn't slowed one 57-year-old hospital corpsman with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment.
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Paul G. Nutter of Akron, Ohio, is overseas and serving his country for a second time. This time though he is with a different service.
Nutter graduated from Akron-Butchel High School in 1966, where he won the regional 100-yard backstroke and 50-yard individual medley events in 1965 and 1966.
Upon graduating Nutter wanted to do something different instead of going to school or working at the local factory.
"My uncle was a Marine veteran of World War II. He inspired my decision to go with the best," Nutter said. "So I joined the Corps."
In the Corps, Nutter served as an infantryman with Force Recon and participated in the Easter Offense in Hue City.
"This was the first time that we had ever fought house-to-house and street-to-street," Nutter stated. "The MOUT (Military Operations Urban Terrain) training that Marines go through today is a result of that."
After serving eight years in the Marine Corps, reaching the rank of gunnery sergeant, Nutter returned to civilian life. Returning from serving his country, he found himself continuing to serve those in need by becoming a fireman and paramedic. During this time he also attended Akron University and graduated with an associate's degree in gerontology in 1978.
In 1990 he became a full-time paramedic and decided to serve his nation again, but this time he chose a different Corps.
"I joined the Naval Reserves as a field corpsman right at the start of the Gulf War," Nutter said. "I wanted to be able to help my fellow Marines with the knowledge I had gained from my civilian life experience."
While he didn't get the chance to deploy then, he kept his skills sharp so if he were ever called upon he would be ready.
As Operation Iraqi Freedom rolled into its third year, he received his chance to deploy in support of the Marines. In March he found himself in Iraq with the Marines of 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment.
Though his wife has concerns for his safety due to his age, Nutter knows the Marines around him will keep him safe.
"My wife worries more now because of my age than she did when I was deployed in 1966. We were just dating back then," he said. "I know that everything will be alright as long as the Marines are here and the corpsmen are here to keep them healthy."
Nutter has served 23 years in the military and is the oldest service member attached to the battalion. He plans to retire after his mission here.
"I've seen a lot, done a lot and made a difference over the past few decades. I never had any regrets as long as I know I helped keep the Marines and the Naval Corps going strong," Nutter said.
- Cpl. Ken Melton, 2nd Marine Division
Back to top
Copyright c 2005
Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service.
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference...The Marines don't have that problem" Ronald Reagan
Comments
he must be true grit...he went back in with a reduction in rank. hes doing it all on a 2nd classes paycheck.
not me pal!
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction. NRA certified instructor.
Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
Former NSSA All American
Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
MO, CT, VA.
Good luck out there.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction. NRA certified instructor.
Former Member U.S. Navy Shooting Team
Former NSSA All American
Navy Distinguished Pistol Shot
MO, CT, VA.
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference...The Marines don't have that problem" Ronald Reagan