On the subject of real heroes...

[sc_rufctr]

I read about this guy during my Medical training in the Australian Army. (almost 30 years ago)
His story has always stuck with me. A true hero.

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, 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 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 besieged 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 gone down, with 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 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, 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.

Ed Freeman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Nostril Cheese]

Real heroes?

Fred Rogers. The world could use more people like him.

[widgeon13]

Mr Rogers might be a good role model but he is not a hero.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

Mr Rogers might be a good role model but he is not a hero.

Is it unreasonable to consider the man a hero for his integrity? I think its fair to assume his influence led to many positive things in the world. I had not intended to devalue Captain Freeman or sc_rufctr's service with the Australian Army. My response was an effort to get a dialogue going about real heroes of all types. I think the world is in great need of heroism these days. I'm sorry if I didnt make it clear.

[widgeon13]

I guess I equate heroism with risk of life or personal wellbeing. While I have the utmost respect for Mr. Rogers and his integrity I don't recall seeing or hearing of him putting his life on the line for his fellow man.

Does the world need more like him? YES.

Sounds like we just have different interpretations of the terms, hero vs role model.

In some thread in the last few days the point was made that "heroism" is bantered about much too liberally. I would have to agree with that statement. I don't see "hero" and "role model" being the same.

Dialogue on real heroes could be very interesting, let the list begin.

My hope would be that the list doesn't contain a litany of celebrity names and sports figures but instead personal relationships that people see as role models for living a good life. Heroes and role models from their own neighborhood or family that they can associate with rather than someone from a TV program or news story.

My intent was not to question your judgement but to better differentiate between the terms, hero and role model.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

I guess I equate heroism with risk of life or personal wellbeing. While I have the utmost respect for Mr. Rogers and his integrity I don't recall seeing or hearing of him putting his life on the line for his fellow man.

Does the world need more like him? YES.

Sounds like we just have different interpretations of the terms, hero vs role model.

In some thread in the last few days the point was made that "heroism" is bantered about much too liberally. I would have to agree with that statement. I don't see "hero" and "role model" being the same.

Dialogue on real heroes could be very interesting, let the list begin.

My hope would be that the list doesn't contain a litany of celebrity names and sports figures but instead personal relationships that people see as role models for living a good life. Heroes and role models from their own neighborhood or family that they can associate with rather than someone from a TV program or news story.

My intent was not to question your judgement but to better differentiate between the terms, hero and role model.

I agree 100%

A hero in my eyes is anyone who risks their own life to save a stranger. If a child that can't swim falls into a river and one of his parents jumps in to save the kid, that is NOT a hero, that is doing your job as a parent. If the kid is not your own and you risk your life to save the kid, that is a hero.

I see news stories at least once a year where some kid dialed 911 when a parent needed help. The news media calls the kid a hero but I disagree. No risk of injury and doing what any kid should do does not make a hero.

I fireman running into a building to save strangers is a brave and honorable man, but not a hero. He is just doing his job. He took that job knowing it was a real possibility he would be required to do that.

A hero in my mind is someone that risked injury or death to save a person that they are not related to and they are not a paid professional doing their job and in fact are not expecting any compensation.

[71scgc]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I agree 100%

A hero in my eyes is anyone who risks their own life to save a stranger. If a child that can't swim falls into a river and one of his parents jumps in to save the kid, that is NOT a hero, that is doing your job as a parent. If the kid is not your own and you risk your life to save the kid, that is a hero.

I see news stories at least once a year where some kid dialed 911 when a parent needed help. The news media calls the kid a hero but I disagree. No risk of injury and doing what any kid should do does not make a hero.

I fireman running into a building to save strangers is a brave and honorable man, but not a hero. He is just doing his job. He took that job knowing it was a real possibility he would be required to do that.

A hero in my mind is someone that risked injury or death to save a person that they are not related to and they are not a paid professional doing their job and in fact are not expecting any compensation.

By that measure no soldier is a hero.
I guess Audie Murphy, Mike Daly, Ola Mize, Robert Foley and many others should go turn in their CMHs.

Carter

[widgeon13]

People have different interpretations of "hero". Nothing wrong with that. Of course those guys are heroes. I have two close friends who I view as heroes, one is a college classmate who was a POW, the other flew three tours in Vietnam. Neither never speak of there experiences but I know they suffered much both physically and mentally for their comrades and for their country. Neither to this day would claim the hero title. They would tell you they were doing their job.

"Hero" is just a label and people have heroes for many different reasons. 99.9% given that label would deny it.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by 71scgc

By that measure no soldier is a hero.
I guess Audie Murphy, Mike Daly, Ola Mize, Robert Foley and many others should go turn in their CMHs.

Carter

When they go above and beyond the call of duty the become heroes. I have nothing but admiration for all veterans and active duty military. But even the military distinguishes those that go above the call of duty. The medal of honor is just the pinnacle. There are many medals for valor and bravery.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

I read about this guy during my Medical training in the Australian Army. (almost 30 years ago)
His story has always stuck with me. A true hero.

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, 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 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 besieged 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 gone down, with 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 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, 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.

Ed Freeman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanks for your post, Peter. Major Freeman passed away in 2008 at age 80. A good run by a brave and heroic man.

It's important to remember our armed forces who put their butts on the line when called up by their country.

Freedom is not free.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Real heroes?

Fred Rogers. The world could use more people like him. ...

If defending the use of other folks' money to fund his livelihood made one a hero...I guess Washington DC is full of heroes. Of course they call them Lobbyists.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by Baz

Thanks for your post, Peter. Major Freeman passed away in 2008 at age 80. A good run by a brave and heroic man.

It's important to remember our armed forces who put their butts on the line when called up by their country.

Freedom is not free.

There are lots of heroes...in the military and otherwise. Most are never recognized and live and die in obscurity...especially in the military. It is great when a fine man like Ed Freeman is recognized for his bravery. Not just for himself, but all those he represents...and inspires.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

I read about this guy during my Medical training in the Australian Army. (almost 30 years ago)
His story has always stuck with me. A true hero.

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, 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 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 besieged 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 gone down, with 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 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, 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.

Ed Freeman - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I believe that battle was depicted in the Joe Galloway book "We were solders once, and young" as well as the Mel Gibson movie which depicted the heroic exploits of the helicopter pilot Ed "too tall to fly" Freeman, and his wingman Bruce Crandall who recieved the medal of honor 41 years after the battle.
Freeman recieved most of the accolades but Crandall was just as deserving.

The Vietnamese gubmint didn't seem to enjoy that movie as much as I did.

In fact they took the ACTOR who portrayed the vietnamese general and threw his arse in prision and tortured him over it.
Threw him in prison for treason, tortured him and tried to force him to sign a phony confession, for playing a role in a movie. All standard fare for the stinking commie sumbeotches.

We should keep that in mind the next time we start arguing over what all those brave men fought and died for, and what the unAmerican commie-supporting cowards were protesting back home.

The Vietnamese government did not greet the film with approval. In fact, Don Duong, the Vietnamese actor who played the Vietnamese commander Lt. Col. Nguyen Huu An, was officially condemned as a traitor, subjected to interrogations to force him to sign a "confession" to "crimes" he had supposedly committed. Duong refused to give in. After months of negotiations between the Bush administration and Hanoi, Duong and his family were allowed to immigrate to the United States in 2003.

That's the problem with freedom, it's too easy to forget just how expensive it really is and how many had to die so that we can take it for granted.



.

[sc_rufctr]

This choked me up. How many of these guys could there be left?

From the Papas Post.

PHOTO OF THE DAY
Atlanta Greeks came together to celebrate the 100th birthday of three-time Purple Heart World War II combat veteran George Demos.
Demos has been an active member of the Greek American community and Atlanta's Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral for decades and his family and friends came together to honor his centennial year.
The Pappas Post shares in this honor and wishes Mr. Demos many more happy and healthy years!

[tevake]

Hey I got a hero trophy once. I was hanging at my place at the time just off the beach in Haena, N shore Kauai watching some Olympics on the tube. When some tourist woman ran up to the house yelling that her men were washing out ot sea out front.

Dang I was really into the event I was watching. But grabbed some fins and a boogy board, and ran out front to see these two guy being swepped out a channel of the reef in a strong current washing out the channel seaward.
The surf was pretty big and the resulting rip was running quite fast and the guys were near the outer end of the channel , maybe 75 yards off shore.

Like I was saying this was my home beach, like the back of my hand. Hopped in the water cruised out to the guys, got them holding onto the board. Got them kicking and aimed them across the current. Put the leash around my waist and started chugging, pulling them out of the current and over to outside the reef adjecent to the channel.

The surf there was maybe 4 or 5 feet breaking onto and over the reef. I told them this was the way in. They didn't like it.
But the prospect of washing out to sea thru the big surf offshore was daunting enough to make them decide to go with my plan.
Now out of the current and hanging just outside of the reef we waited for a break then sprinted for the reef. Got washed up over the front of the reef fairly cleanly. then got swept back in toward the beach in the whitewater. Moments later we were standing there safe and just a little scraped up on their legs and feet.

This I liked, they thanked me. Not allways the case in these sort of situations.
So I dashed back to the house, but the event was over, shoots.

Well the next day They came by to thank me again and give to me a nice little sculpture of some dolphins swimming some waves. They were profuse with their appreciation.

For me this was really no big deal, I played in those conditions and more all the time.
For them it was a life threatening situation and they clearly understood that.

Long story, but what I'm saying is that what may seem heroic to one person is more or less all in a days work to another.
I sure was stoked that they appreciated the help.
but I never did find out the outcome of the event I'd been watching.

It's not unusual after a rough water assist to be treated pretty rudely , especially by young men. Who feel embarrassed by the situation they have gotten themselves into. And their inability to deal with it.
Some times it's no good deed goes unpunished.

Now back to the war stories.

Cheers Richard

[tevake]

Hey don't let me derail a good thread with my " me me me" post.
Was just trying to point out the relativity of any given "heroic situation"

The are some great heroic acts out there, that are wonderful to hear about!
Especially in these times.

Cheers Richard