Posted by Greg Gimlick CW3 (ret) on April 11, 2011:

I had the distinct privilege of being LTG Mackmull's pilot while he was the commander of the 18th ABN Corps. He had a greater impact on me than any other person during my career and we kept in touch after retirement for many years. He only did water jumps while he was there and he preferred his crew to fly his bird when he jumped so we were always there. My thanks to the guys in the water who got him in the boat and back to shore so we could take him home. SGM Mixon used to spiral down around him within reach in case something happened he could grab his lines or something. To say he was loved by those of us on his staff would be an understatement. Next to my father, he was the closest thing to an idol I could have. I will miss knowing he's not here with us any more, but I will always cherish the time I worked for him. I remember a time he called our unit, and I mean he called, not his secretary or aide, and the guys who answered were shocked. He was calling to ask my advice about buying a tablesaw because he knew I was a woodworker. He also called us to help him pull the engine out of an old truck he was working on too. He could be a regular guy and at the same time you always knew who was in charge :-) We'd be flying over JTX's and he'd see some troops sitting around and have me stop so he could go visit a bit. It usually scared the troops until they realized he was just checking in to see if all was okay. He really cared for his people. When the terrible accidents happened at Ft Irwin in 1981 or 82 when the 82ND jumped in with bad winds, he was there to see it. When all was over I remember seeing the tears in his eyes as we flew away. He loved every one of us. Rest easy my friend and my hero.

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