Fort Benning is mourning the loss of retired Command Sgt. Maj. Basil Plumley. Plumley, 92, died Wednesday (10OCT2012) morning at Columbus Hospice after he was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. He was a veteran of the World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During the Vietnam War, Plumley served as a sergeant major of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment. The unit's actions in 1965 during The Battle of Ia Drang were revisited in the book We Were Solders and Young. The book became a movie in 2002. We Were Soldiers, starred Mel Gibson; actor Sam Elliot portrayed CSM Plumley in the movie. Plumley enlisted in the Army in 1942 and retired after 32 years of service. He later worked at Martin Army Hospital on post before retiring after 15 years of service.

Awards and decorations:

Silver Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster

Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster

Purple Heart with three Oak Leaf Clusters

Army Air Medal with eight Oak Leaf Clusters

Army Presidential Unit Citation

Army Good Conduct Medal

American Campaign Medal

European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with arrowhead device and one silver and three bronze campaign stars (eight campaigns)

World War II Victory Medal

Army of Occupation Medal

National Defense Service Medal with one Gold Star

Korean Service Medal with one Arrowhead Device and three campaign stars

Vietnam Service Medal with eight campaign stars

Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation

Republic of Vietnam Presidential Citation

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm three Awards

United Nations Service Medal for Korea

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Award Honor Medal

Republic of Korea War Service Medal, Order of Saint Maurice

Combat Infantryman Badge (third award)

Master Parachutist Badge with five Combat Jump Stars

French Croix de Guerre 82nd Airborne

Belgian Croix de Guerre 82nd Airborne

Dutch Order of the Orange 82nd Airborne

Doughboy Award 1999