I would like to share the story of my father, Pershing Wood Lambert.

He was named after General John J. (Black Jack) Pershing and Major General Leonard Wood, the first Colonel appointed to the Rough Riders. Teddy Roosevelt was his friend and Lt. Colonel. It is only fitting that Dad would join the military. He chose the Marines in August of 1941. Later, Sergeant Major Maurice J. Jacques, would mention Dad in his book, stating he was one tough individual, and had to be with a name like that in the Corps.

Dad served 30 years and retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in August of 1971. He was in the first wave at Red Beach in Guadalcanal and fought in New Britain and New Guinea. Dad also served in Korea and completed three tours in Vietnam. He was one of the advisers that were in country in January and February 1965, prior to the the first major landings by Marines in the coming months. He shared little of his experiences with us, but left behind a treasure of paper work chronicling his service, which I did not find until after his passing in 1962. One of the items found was a letter written to his Mother on August 20th 1942, while on Guadalcanal.

Dad had to quit High School in the 10th grade, when his father died, to support his Mom and some of his siblings, that were still at home. He never really told me, what prompted him to join the Marines, other than maybe the growing threat of our involvement in WWII, and a steady income for his Mom and siblings. In 1962, we were living in Hawaii. I found his paperwork, requesting to retire and go into the Marine Reserves. In May of that Year and with the growing unrest in the world, he recanted his plan and reenlisted, asking to remain in Hawaii. In perfect Marine Corp fashion, they shipped us to San Diego in August of that year. He spent the rest of his career at MCRD, Camp Pendleton and Vietnam.

I am the youngest, and was only 12 when he retired in 1971. I have probably heard the most stories of any of my siblings, since he opened up more in his latter years. My oldest Brother tried to get Dad to just tell stories into a tape recorder, but he never did. He was very humble and proud of his service, and never thought as himself as anything other than a regular person, who was honored to serve. Sadly, we lost Dad on July 1, 1998. We buried him at Fort Rosecrans in San Diego. Mother joined him in 2008.

This is the last photo of him with his wall of military life.
~Micahel Lambert

We are very grateful to Michael for sharing his personal story and father’s service with Comes A Soldier’s Whisper.
God Bless all who serve and keep us safe.

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