Gary Wetzel- Medal of Honor

[SASless]

Gary was a Huey Door Gunner in my Battalion in Vietnam.

On this day in 1968, his aircraft was hit by small arms fire and an RPG. He lost his left arm and was hit by small arms fire and helped other crew members from the aircraft. As the Enemy Infantry advanced on the downed aircraft he returned to his machine-gun in the aircraft and took them under fire.

During the engagement he was bayoneted by one of the Attacking Soldiers.

The video is an interview that was done for the local TV Station.

It is long.....but well worth the viewing.

I consider it an Honor to have been allowed to serve with Soldiers such as this fellow.


I Remember | Program | #2005 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGxwYOqeUYE&feature=youtu.be)


https://scontent-a-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/1502558_719210864763654_383649137_n.jpg

[Pali]

Thank you for posting this.

And let me correct you. It is not long. It is short :)

[Gemini Twin]

This is a small excerpt from President Reagan radio speech on a veterans day


"In James Michener's book "The Bridges at Toko-Ri," he writes of an officer waiting through the night for the return of planes to a carrier as dawn is coming on. And he asks, "Where do we find such men?" Well, we find them where we've always found them. They are the product of the freest society man has ever known. They make a commitment to the military—make it freely, because the birthright we share as Americans is worth defending."


Thanks SASless.

[smujsmith]

Thanks for posting this SASless, this bloke is amazing and well worthy of his citation, award and your own statement of pride. It's humbling to see what people are prepared to give for their country. I salute them all, and once again thank you.

Smudge

[chiglet]

'kin Brilliant.
Respect

[air pig]

SASless,

The calibre of true hero's never change, just the uniform they wear. The word hero is bandied about in particular about people who have never seen danger, usually overpaid sportsmen and women, they don't know the meaning of the word.

Total and utter respect for those in danger, yesterday today, tomorrow and always, may they come home safely.

[500N]

SaS

Thanks for posting, impressive individual and very worthy.

[Evalu8ter]

SASLess,
A wonderful post - the 'greatest generation' didn't have a monopoly on raw courage...

[rh200]

Reading it, sort of makes one feel woefully inadequate. Well deserved.

[finestkind]

If you have been moved by this than please look at the below link.

MSG Roy Benavidez speech 1991 - YouTube (http://youtu.be/XRQ_3R0_rSA)

Certainly well worth watching. If I have stuffed up the link please go to
"MSG Roy Benavidez speech 1991" The citation read by Reagan takes a few minutes but then you get to see the MSG speech.

[Sydy]

It was short indeed!

[Sydy]

Finestkind,

Thank you for sharing this!

All the best,

Sydy

[SASless]

A bit more about Roy and how he came to get the DSC and MH for that fight.

Also a photo of the USS Roy P.

Benavidez (http://www.psywarrior.com/benavidez.html)