"We Were Soldiers Once . . . and Young" Ed (Too Tall to Fly) Freeman, Medal of Honor
Life is weird sometimes....just got out of the Rain Locker...popped the top on a cold beer...set myself down in front of the Tube and just happened to see Joe Galloway talking about his experiences on Day One of the LZ X-Ray fight (Vietnam HD was the program). He was being interviewed at his home in Refugio, Texas.
The part I caught was where he described two F-100's dropping Napalm on the LZ by mistake and several Engineers being hit by the burning Napalm. He helped carry a young Man named Nakamura to the Casualty Collection Point...and how all he had to hold onto was the bones in Nakamura's legs. Nakamura died two days later.
As Galloway sat on a porch swing he broke down in tears as he related the account....and said "Nakamura is my nightmare!".
No more drinking tonight.....
The part I caught was where he described two F-100's dropping Napalm on the LZ by mistake and several Engineers being hit by the burning Napalm. He helped carry a young Man named Nakamura to the Casualty Collection Point...and how all he had to hold onto was the bones in Nakamura's legs. Nakamura died two days later.
As Galloway sat on a porch swing he broke down in tears as he related the account....and said "Nakamura is my nightmare!".
No more drinking tonight.....
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Bolkow, doesn't matter how old or how many times I see that passage, my heart goes out to those that were there and those who stayed. True heroes, each and every one of them. Not the "heroes" the media puts up to us these days. The worst that can happen to them is a pulled hammie during training.
I have taken up the habit of going upto people in the military and thanking them for what they do. I'm often amazed at the fact so many of them are taken by surprise. It leads me to believe that they are still unapprieciated by the general public who they can be putting their life at risk for.
I have taken up the habit of going upto people in the military and thanking them for what they do. I'm often amazed at the fact so many of them are taken by surprise. It leads me to believe that they are still unapprieciated by the general public who they can be putting their life at risk for.
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Sad times when wings are folded
I think that your book "We were soldiers once...and Young" should be compulsory reading for all helo wannabies. The ponieering use of the helo into combat was onl proven possible by gs like Too Tall...
Now he gets his own set of wings..farewell
Now he gets his own set of wings..farewell
The history of Air Mobile Operations by the US Army makes for some interesting reading if you enjoy politics....and bureaucratical in-fighting.
General James Gavin (of WWII Fame as CG of the 82nd Airborne Division) was a strong advocate of Helicopter Cavalry and strong support by SECDEF McNamara led to the 1st AirCav Division being formed for service in Vietnam with excellent leadership by several Army Leaders.
I know General Tolson...shared a pickup truck seat with him after having to land out due to bad weather on a flight from Charlotte to Raleigh, North Carolina. Seems I had one of the infamous "Tactical Instrument" ratings that were not worth squat back in the land of the big PX. Karma is great as Tolson was one of the major players in that decision...taking short cuts on our training and not having us obtain a Standard Instrument Rating.
If you run out of hot milk and need a good read to put you to sleep....
Airmobility 1961-1971
General James Gavin (of WWII Fame as CG of the 82nd Airborne Division) was a strong advocate of Helicopter Cavalry and strong support by SECDEF McNamara led to the 1st AirCav Division being formed for service in Vietnam with excellent leadership by several Army Leaders.
I know General Tolson...shared a pickup truck seat with him after having to land out due to bad weather on a flight from Charlotte to Raleigh, North Carolina. Seems I had one of the infamous "Tactical Instrument" ratings that were not worth squat back in the land of the big PX. Karma is great as Tolson was one of the major players in that decision...taking short cuts on our training and not having us obtain a Standard Instrument Rating.
If you run out of hot milk and need a good read to put you to sleep....
Airmobility 1961-1971
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bolkow, you're famous lad. I just received the text of your post from an old high school girl I knew in an email questioning if Ed Freemans story was real or propaganda.
Very sad news.....Sgt Major Basil Plumley has been moved to Hospice. A great Soldier and inspiration to several generations of American Soldier is headed to Fiddlers Green. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he was the kind of Soldier we all strived to be.
Garry Owen, Sgt Major! Hand Salute!
See you on the Green!
His Army Jump Wings had a Gold Star....meaning five Combat Jumps as a Paratrooper, done in WWII with the 505th Infantry Regt (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division and in Korea with the 187th Infantry Regt (Airborne).
He was the Battalion Sgt Major for the 2/7 Cavalry at the Ia Drang battle.
Garry Owen, Sgt Major! Hand Salute!
See you on the Green!
His Army Jump Wings had a Gold Star....meaning five Combat Jumps as a Paratrooper, done in WWII with the 505th Infantry Regt (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division and in Korea with the 187th Infantry Regt (Airborne).
He was the Battalion Sgt Major for the 2/7 Cavalry at the Ia Drang battle.
Last edited by SASless; 2nd Oct 2012 at 01:43.
For Sgt Major Basil Plumley ... te saluto.
Vaya con dios, Sergeant Major.
Where do we find such men?
Vaya con dios, Sergeant Major.
Where do we find such men?
Finished reading "We were soldiers..." just two nights ago.
Extraordinary read. The descriptions of close contact battle and the ensuing death and destruction were told with a combination of pride and sadness which made it quite compelling. Two major memories remain (ignoring the upper echelon politics) - the refusal of the medical helicopter guys to take part when the need was so obvious and the original US Army's method of notifying relatives of a family death ... message delivery by Yellow Cab!!!! Can that have really been how it was done?
Spent two and a half years operating in the area just prior to that period of escalation and the memories flood back.
Extraordinary read. The descriptions of close contact battle and the ensuing death and destruction were told with a combination of pride and sadness which made it quite compelling. Two major memories remain (ignoring the upper echelon politics) - the refusal of the medical helicopter guys to take part when the need was so obvious and the original US Army's method of notifying relatives of a family death ... message delivery by Yellow Cab!!!! Can that have really been how it was done?
Spent two and a half years operating in the area just prior to that period of escalation and the memories flood back.
Dust Off had an SOP that would not allow them to land in an unsecure LZ or words to that effect.....but I assure you that was not our Creed as Army Helicopter Pilots....probably because of that initial occurrence. Dust Off after that went on to do some very courageous flying retrieving the Wounded.
Currently, there is much criticism of the US Army sticking to Geneva Accords policies re Marked Medical Evacuation aircraft. The Army refuses to arm their Medevac helicopters because they insist upon marking them with Red Crosses. That the Taliban could care less about the Geneva Convention and that our wounded are too many times prevented timely treatment and evacuation because of these brain dead decisions by the Senior Commanders back in Washington doesn't faze the Dick Heads.
Yes....as in WWII and Korea.....the Next of Kin got a Telegram which was usually delivered by the local taxi company. That procedure changed during the Vietnam War as the losses mounted. There were a lot ****ty deals connected to Military Service during the Vietnam years. But because of those....we have made things a lot better.
Today.....each of trhe Military Services does the best job of such notifications one could expect and the return of the Remains is done with much respect and concern.....especially by the Airlines, local Police and Fire Departments, and local Veterans groups.
Currently, there is much criticism of the US Army sticking to Geneva Accords policies re Marked Medical Evacuation aircraft. The Army refuses to arm their Medevac helicopters because they insist upon marking them with Red Crosses. That the Taliban could care less about the Geneva Convention and that our wounded are too many times prevented timely treatment and evacuation because of these brain dead decisions by the Senior Commanders back in Washington doesn't faze the Dick Heads.
Yes....as in WWII and Korea.....the Next of Kin got a Telegram which was usually delivered by the local taxi company. That procedure changed during the Vietnam War as the losses mounted. There were a lot ****ty deals connected to Military Service during the Vietnam years. But because of those....we have made things a lot better.
Today.....each of trhe Military Services does the best job of such notifications one could expect and the return of the Remains is done with much respect and concern.....especially by the Airlines, local Police and Fire Departments, and local Veterans groups.
I have been assigned duties as CACO.
Not a fun job.
Not a fun job.
Not fun....but the most important and most difficult in your Career!
Taking Chance - chicagotribune.com
Taking Chance - chicagotribune.com
Last edited by SASless; 3rd Oct 2012 at 18:39.
We lost a great Soldier......SgtMajor Plumley died in Hospital of Colon Cancer.
He is off to Fiddler's Green where so many of his fellow Troopers from the Ia Drang fight will welcome him into their embrace.
Garry Owen, Sgt Major!
He is off to Fiddler's Green where so many of his fellow Troopers from the Ia Drang fight will welcome him into their embrace.
Garry Owen, Sgt Major!
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Very sad to hear.
Not many people went not only through 3 wars like he did
but through some major battles in each as well and survived.
.
Not many people went not only through 3 wars like he did
but through some major battles in each as well and survived.
.
