On Sat, 09 Jan 2010 13:41:34 -0500, Drifter wrote:

Medal of Honor Winner

Ed Freeman

He died in 2008, but he is a real hero.


FREEMAN, ED W.

By direction of the President, under the Joint Resolution of Congress
approved 12 July 1862 (amended by act of 3 March 1863, act of 9 July 1918,
and act of 25 July 1963), the Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry and
intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty, is
awarded by the Department of the Army in the name of Congress to:

CAPTAIN ED W. FREEMAN
UNITED STATES ARMY

Captain Ed W. Freeman, United States Army, of Boise, Idaho, who
distinguished himself by numerous acts of conspicuous gallantry and
extraordinary intrepidity on 14 November 1965 while serving with Company
A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).
As a flight leader and second in command of a 16-helicopter lift unit, he
supported a heavily engaged American infantry battalion at Landing Zone
X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The unit was almost out
of ammunition after taking some of the heaviest casualties of the war,
fighting off a relentless attack from a highly motivated, heavily armed
enemy force. When the infantry commander closed the helicopter landing
zone because of intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his life
by flying his unarmed helicopter through a gauntlet of enemy fire time
after time, delivering critically needed ammunition, water, and medical
supplies to the besieged battalion. His flights, by providing the engaged
units with supplies of ammunition critical to their survival, directly
affected the battle's outcome. Without them the units would almost surely
have gone down, with much greater loss of life. After medical evacuation
helicopters refused to fly into the area because of intense enemy fire,
Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing lifesaving
evacuation of an estimated 30 seriously wounded soldiers-some of whom
would not have survived had he not acted. All flights were made into a
small emergency landing zone within 100 to 200 meters of the defensive
perimeter, where heavily committed units were perilously holding off the
attacking elements. Captain Freeman's selfless acts of great valor and
extraordinary perseverance were far above and beyond the call of duty or
mission and set a superb example of leadership and courage for all of his
peers. Captain Freeman's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in
keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great
credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
--
Best Regards, Keith
http://home.comcast.net/~kilowattradio/
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