A finely Due Award - Medal of Honor to 'Nam Huey Pilot - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

JohnR · 02-12-2007, 06:37 PM

I saw this today. If any of you read the book "We Were Soldiers Once, And Young", you will recall the gallant efforts of several of the chopper pilots landing when it was clearly far from safe to resupply the men and to medevas the wounded. One of those men, who defined hero time and time again, is being recognized for those efforts.

http://www.army.mil/medalofhonor/cra...itations28.htm

Swimmer · 02-12-2007, 08:09 PM

I read that book truly extraordinary JR. I have coffee every morning with a guy named John who enlisted back then and became a crew chief on a huey because of his ability to repair anything. He has only been sober probably the last twelve years or so after fighting that battle. When he sobered up the first thing he did was apply for a special forces status. He received that after submitting paperwork to the guy who was in charge of the secret war within the war back then who certified John's name on his list of participants that flew in and out of Cambodia. You never know which John is going to sit down for coffee. He only recently gave in and sought help from the VA psych people. I've said enough.

CAL · 02-12-2007, 09:43 PM

Up until six months ago, when that company closed, I was working with a guy that had the exact same job in 'Nam.

Man, he had some stories. Had his copter shot down once while extracting wounded. His knee got totally destroyed. One of his crew was killed. I felt bad when we had to put in long hours and I knew his knee couldn't handle it. Bob Rooney, tough bastid.

afterhours · 02-13-2007, 08:32 AM

my cousin was there and said those pilots had gonads the size of bowling balls- ten pin. go into the hottest zones to rescue wounded, my hats off to those guys!

justplugit · 02-13-2007, 12:14 PM

"typifying the galantry and intrepidty, at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty". --Heros.

In my mind, everyone who served our country under fire. falls under that title.

MarshCappa · 02-14-2007, 02:19 PM

Good to see the official recognition.

parker23 · 02-14-2007, 04:24 PM

Great story, Thank you.
I will definately getting that book.

thortum · 02-14-2007, 07:24 PM

I'm glad to see him finally getting the recognition that he deserves. His family should be very proud of him. I servrd with the Marines there in 66-67 and have nothing but the utmost respect for not only the pilots, but the entire crew. They, along with the fighter pilots and cargo plane crews were targets every time they got off the ground. God bless all past, present and future sevice men and women!