VN Medal of Honor winner died Wednsday

[BeyGon]

Ted Kennedy, Micheal Jackson, they get all the attention but,

Medal of Honor Recipient, Ed Freeman, died last Wednesday at the age of 80, in Boise , ID

This guy was important and he got nothing. Well, he got some obituary notices.

Freeman passed away at the age of 80 on August 29, 2008 and was honored with obituaries in newspapers across the country.

In July 2001, some 36 years after the fact, Freeman, a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, had been awarded the nation's highest military honor for actions taken on November 14, 1965. The citation, presented by President Bush in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, read as follows:

Captain Ed W. Freeman, United States Army, distinguished himself by numerous acts of conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary intrepidity on 14 November, 1965, while serving with Company A, 229th, Assault Helicopter Battalion, First Cavalry Division Air Mobil (ph).

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 Idrang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The infantry 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, due to intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his own 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 Paceeds (ph) battalion.

His flights had a direct impact on the battle's outcome by providing the engaged units with timely supplies of ammunition critical to their survival without which they would almost surely have experienced a much greater loss of life. After medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the area, due to intense enemy fire, Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing life- saving evacuation of an estimates 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, extraordinary perseverance and intrepidity 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.

[Seahawk]

I have had the honor of flying with some VN helo pilots...they all had stones, Ed more so.

Rest me peace, Sir, you deserve the quiet.

Originally Posted by BeyGon

Ted Kennedy, Micheal Jackson, they get all the attention but,

Medal of Honor Recipient, Ed Freeman, died last Wednesday at the age of 80, in Boise , ID

This guy was important and he got nothing. Well, he got some obituary notices.

Freeman passed away at the age of 80 on August 29, 2008 and was honored with obituaries in newspapers across the country.

In July 2001, some 36 years after the fact, Freeman, a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, had been awarded the nation's highest military honor for actions taken on November 14, 1965. The citation, presented by President Bush in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, read as follows:

Captain Ed W. Freeman, United States Army, distinguished himself by numerous acts of conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary intrepidity on 14 November, 1965, while serving with Company A, 229th, Assault Helicopter Battalion, First Cavalry Division Air Mobil (ph).

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 Idrang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The infantry 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, due to intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his own 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 Paceeds (ph) battalion.

His flights had a direct impact on the battle's outcome by providing the engaged units with timely supplies of ammunition critical to their survival without which they would almost surely have experienced a much greater loss of life. After medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the area, due to intense enemy fire, Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing life- saving evacuation of an estimates 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, extraordinary perseverance and intrepidity 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.

[Mark Howard]

He died on Aug 29, 2008, a year ago.

Regardless, thanks for bringing to the attention of all here. Being a student of LZ X-Ray battle history, I concur that his contributions were some of the most important aspects of the battle. Its a shame to took over 30 years for him to be recognized for his role in the battle.

The movie, "We Were Soldiers", largely left his contributions out of the storyline, save a scene or two. Those scenes did not portray the heroism and fearlessness he displayed.

RIP Warrior!

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by Mark Howard

He died on Aug 29, 2008, a year ago.

Regardless, thanks for bringing to the attention of all here. Being a student of LZ X-Ray battle history, I concur that his contributions were some of the most important aspects of the battle. Its a shame to took over 30 years for him to be recognized for his role in the battle.

The movie, "We Were Soldiers", largely left his contributions out of the storyline, save a scene or two. Those scenes did not portray the heroism and fearlessness he displayed.

RIP Warrior!

That started out as one of those forwarded emails I got but at least I googled it to check it out, still missed the year.

[Skytrooper]

The last of our (my units) VN pilots retired on the 30th of August. He returned from his "last hurrah" in Afghanistan a year ago. I certainly miss these guys.

[widgeon13]

I knew a Medal of Honor recipient when I was stationed in Germany many years ago, very unassuming fellow. They all are.

RIP Captain Freeman

[Hugh R]

I sort of knew one in the USMC. Regular guy too. Never knew he had one (nor noticed the blue with stars service ribbon, or at least didn't recognize what it was) until he showed up for Commanding General's Inspection. The General saluted HIM.


RIP Cpt. Freeman, you're a better man than I.

[strupgolf]

There are only a very few of these MOH people left and they all need to be recognized. They didn't know what they did then, but now we do.

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

I knew a Medal of Honor recipient when I was stationed in Germany many years ago, very unassuming fellow. They all are.

RIP Captain Freeman

That's because they don't feel the need to prove anything to anybody...nor should they.

[daepp]

That is very cool that a General would salute HIM. It that Army protocol or just the General being a good guy?

[pwd72s]

Far as I know, it's protocol. After all, that's the higest honor awarded...

[Brother]

You are supposed to salute a medal of honor recipient.

[Rot 911]

Yes indeed you salute a MOH recipient. Back in the day in the 82nd the battalion Sergeant Major had the MOH. We were a bunch of hardcore mofo's and nothing fazed us, but all of us were in awe of him.