James (Rockfish) Garner

[beyond the band]

Bet most of you didn't know he raced the Baja 1000 in the late 60's and early 70's. I remember seeing these rigs as a kid going by the Parnelli Jones Firestone shop in my hometown of Torrance a  wee lad. That's where I got the Baja 1000 fever.
Garner was a badass. When men were men. RIP sir
 
 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/camp4lo/14704980105/
 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/camp4lo/14518314858/
 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/camp4lo/14702577614/
 
 

 

[stogieman]

Rest in peace Mr. Garner. 
 
James joined the National Guard serving seven months in the United States. He then went to Korea for 14 months in the Regular Army, serving in the 5th Regimental Combat Team in the Korean War. He was wounded twice, first in the face and hand from shrapnel fire from a mortar round, and second on April 23, 1951, in the buttocks from friendly fire from U.S. fighter jets as he dove headfirst into a foxhole. Garner was awarded the Purple Heart in Korea for the first injury. For the second wound, he received a second Purple Heart (eligibility requirement: "As the result of friendly fire while actively engaging the enemy"), although Garner received the medal in 1983, 32 years after his injury. Garner was a self-described "scrounger" for his company in Korea.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Garner

 

[Gern Blansten]

Fair winds, Hendley 'The Scounger'.

 

[Devil Doc]

I grew up watching Maverick as a kid. Always looked forward to Sunday nights.
 
Doc

 

[thinde]

and I grew up watching the Rockford Files......RIP Mr. Garner!

 

[Not A Nice Person]

All my childhood icons are disappearing now.  ???
 
Fare forth brightly, Maverick.  May your ancestors welcome you warmly into their halls.
 
~Boar

 

[Juanote]

We are all here but a short little while. Mark it well and act accordingly.

Godspeed Mr. Garner. You were one of the good ones.