ia drang valley medal of honor

“The Huey was the best helicopter ever made. American officials declared the Battle of the la Drang Valley a victory. In November of 1965, intelligence reports indicated that they were preparing to assault the provincial capital of Pleiku. I’m just the caretaker for them.”. He says the movie “We Were Soldiers,” which was based on the Battle of Ia Drang, is about 70 percent accurate. On November 14, 1965, Captain Ed Freeman made repeated flights into the Ia Drang Valley under intense fire to bring in supplies and evacuate the wounded. At approximately noon, the North Vietnamese 33rd Regiment attacked. Companies C and D took the brunt of the Communist attack, and most of the men were quickly hit. The fighting continued for three hours. Due to a statute of limitations being lifted, Freeman was awarded the Medal of Honor on July 16, 2001. He spent more than  14 hours in the air and  completed a total of 22 flights, most under intense enemy fire. 1969 - Tam Ky, Nui Yon Hill, Vietnam. ... Medal of Honor recipient retired Col. Bruce Crandall; Medal … Dakota L. Meyer Description: A gold five pointed star, each point tipped with trefoils, 1½ inches wide, surrounded by a green laurel wreath and suspended from a gold bar inscribed “VALOR”, surmounted by an eagle. Throughout the day, he changed helicopters after some were so badly damaged to stay in the air. On the second day, North Vietnamese forces launched a heavy attack including hand-to-hand combat. The Battle of Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam began on November 14, 1965, and saw around 1,000 U.S. Army soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) fight for four days with about 2,500 North Vietnamese troops. American Troops and Chopper during the Battle of Ia Drang. EIN: 52-1149668, Copyright 2021 The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display. Marm led his platoon through heavy fire, killed four enemy soldiers and exposed himself to a concealed machine gun that was firing on his men. Medal of Honor recipient The Battle of the Ia Drang Valley was a series of engagements during the Vietnam War that occurred November 14-18, 1965, 50 years ago this week; the battle was chronicled in the book We Were Soldiers Once…And Young, by Lt. Gen. Hal G. Moore and Joseph L. … The third award of the Medal of Honor in the Ia Drang Valley was to Walter “Joe” Marm, (shown far left with fellow Recipient James Taylor); now a retired colonel, as a young lieutenant he lead Alpha Company’s second platoon during the battle. The North Vietnamese forces had succeeded in engaging the U.S. forces in very tight quarters. Born: 1928. Bruce Crandall Awarded the Medal of Honor, Battle of the Ia Drang Valley. Col. Bruce Crandall, Commander of Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), led the first major division operation of airmobile troops into Landing Zone X-Ray. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Marm, who lives in North Carolina but is a 50-year member of American Legion Post 639 in Claysville, Pa., credits the other soldiers he served with. Together, they flew in supplies, water, and ammunition needed for the troops. To communicate with families, survivors and other members of … In the center of the star, Minerva’s head surrounded by the … Of the 500 men, 150 were killed and only 84 were able to return to immediate duty. Joseph Galloway was a civilian reporter at the Battle of Ia Drang. After several routine lifts into the area,  the men on the ground came under attack from the North Vietnamese Army. Is now the right time to buy a new vehicle? Charlie Company held their position, exemplifying extraordinary heroism and courage. On February 26, 2007, President George W. Bush presented Crandall with the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Ia Drang Valley. “It’s an honor for me to wear the medal,” Marm said. The mission of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is to honor and preserve the legacy of service and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War. This is his story. By the third day of the battle, the Americans had gained the upper hand. James C. McCloughan Vietnam War. On the morning of November 14th, the 1st Cavalry landed at Landing Zone X-Ray at the base of the Chu Pong mountain and by noon they were already under attack from the North Vietnamese. Join our community. Marm helped present The American Legion Spirit of Service awards to recipients on stage. Special offers and updates delivered directly to your e-mail inbox. Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore and his men continued on, receiving support from artillery units and air strikes, helping the American troops hold themselves against the enemy. Medal of Honor recipient Walter Marm Jr. shared his story of valor Aug. 28 at The American Legion’s 100th National Convention in Minneapolis. The legendary war correspondent met Plumley in the Ia Drang Valley of Vietnam -- a place neither thought they would survive. U.S. Army photo “1st Lt. Marm's selfless actions reduced the fire on his platoon, broke the enemy assault, and rallied his unit to continue toward the accomplishment of this mission,” his citation concludes. It was the signal for all available American aircraft to converge and provide aid to the American unit. On February 26, 2007, President George W. Bush presented Crandall with the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Ia Drang Valley. Most Read. “I am honored to receive this Spirit of Service award but it does not end here. We saved so many more people because of that helicopter.”. Among the recipients was Molly Hampton, a Marine. They saved some 70 soldiers. In the center of the star, Minerva’s head surrounded by the … "Joe" Marm Jr. received the Medal of Honor for his gallantry on the battlefield as a platoon leader in 1-7 CAV. Crandall and Freeman successfully rescued some 70 wounded men. They resupplied ammunition, water, and supplies, while evacuating the wounded. Fought in the Ia Drang Valley of South Vietnam’s central highlands from November 14-18, 1965, elements of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) quickly learned that they faced a well-trained and well-equipped enemy that was determined to stand and fight. “I am very fortunate to have served with the individuals in the unit that had been training for six months with the air assault team.”, Every day, Marm wears a reminder of those in his platoon. He co-authored the book We Were Soldiers Once… And Young with Hal Moore. 1. “It was a very intense battle,” Marm said of the Battle of Ia Drang, Legion calls on White House to fast-track citizenship for military members, veterans, American Legion, VSOs urge VA Secretary to reimburse veterans, The impact of an American Legion service officer, VA extends its ban on evictions and foreclosures to June 30, Georgia Legionnaire doesn't let COVID-19 get in the way of assisting homeless veterans, Over 900 jobseekers 'attend' virtual job fair, Department of North Carolina sponsoring Nov. 17 virtual career fair, College campus post helping build 'the foundation for the future', American Legion testifies on supporting veterans through COVID-19, VA Colmery Act IT implementation complete, American Legion presents honorable Patriot Award to Syracuse University, American Education Week: 'Opportunity to celebrate public education', The American Legion to state veterans homes: ‘Obey the law, cooperate with VA’, The American Legion congratulates new VA secretary, Assisting with COVID-19 vaccine effort 'a no-brainer' for Florida Legion post, What veterans need to know about getting vaccine from VA, Biden’s pick for VA Secretary sails through confirmation hearing, Youth program preserves the experiences, memories of POW/MIAs, Arkansas post's Legion Family to provide food relief to area veterans, military, Legacy Scholarship boosts Cornell freshman’s dreams, American Legion grant helps DBSA support emotions of children, OCW: $181,769 in grants show recovering veterans The American Legion cares. The Air Force provided cover with about 100 airstrikes.”. Together, we can make sure our heroes will get the reverence they deserve and the stories and sacrifices of our heroes will never be forgotten. “I wear the medal for all the brave men and women I served with. COMMENTS. And it all began early one fall day. It is a story many people might not realize they are familiar with as it was the subject of Mel Gibson’s epic war movie, We Were Soldiers. Crandall continued to fly into and out of the landing zone throughout the day and into the evening. Temperatures reached 100 degrees, and by the afternoon there was a firestorm battle for survival. Due to a statute of limitations being lifted, Freeman was awarded the Medal of Honor on July 16, 2001. Ernie Savage (left) and Dennis Deal talked about their time in the Ia Drang Valley as members of the 7th Cavalry. Place and date: Landing Zone X-Ray, Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam, 14 November 1965. The central highlands had few roads and challenging terrain, making air mobility the only viable mode of transportation. The Ia Drang Valley lies some 30 miles northwest of Pleiku in the Central Highlands region of Vietnam, near the Cambodian border. Medal of Honor. The Battle of the la Drang Valley would come to be remembered as one of the most iconic battles of the Vietnam War, and later would set the scene for the film We Were Soldiers based on the novel We Were Soldiers Once……And Young. During a 14-hour period, Major Bruce Crandall and Captain Ed Freeman, repeatedly landed their helicopter under intense enemy fire at Landing Zone X-Ray. Hear Ed’s story The Medal of Honor Description: A gold five pointed star, each point tipped with trefoils, 1½ inches wide, surrounded by a green laurel wreath and suspended from a gold bar inscribed “VALOR”, surmounted by an eagle. Nov 14. ... 1965 - vicinity of Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. This allowed troops to be quickly brought in and out for battle. In the first time since World War II, 3 Medal of Honors were received for actions in the IA DRANG Valley. Second Lieutenant Walter “Joe” Marm, Jr., led an attack against a heavily fortified enemy force on November 14, 1965, personally knocking out several positions in the Ia Drang Valley, South Vietnam. It was November 1965, and Beck, a Steelton native and 22-year-old Army machine-gunner, was caught in a hornet's nest of zipping bullets and bursting grenades in the Ia Drang Valley … What to know before tapping your nest egg, Seven habits to carry forward from the pandemic, Bill aimed to help veterans facing variety of challenges signed into law, The American Legion: Wilkie must be held accountable, Texas Legionnaire: 'I know I can make a difference', VA offering transition training specially tailored for women veterans, Legionnaire gives women veterans a voice through a wall of honor, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor, Apply for color guard, band contests in Phoenix, Louisville looks forward to welcoming Legion in 2026, Health emergency forces cancellation of American Legion national convention, California Scout named American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year, American Legion Riders Chairman makes announcement about the 2020 American Legion Legacy Run. That all would change when the First Cavalry Air Mobile Division flew into the Ia Drang Valley in the central highlands of South Vietnam. As the fighting around Landing Zone X-Ray subsided, McDade’s 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, was ordered to move cross-country to Landing Zone Albany, where it was to be picked up by helicopter and moved to a new location. “It was a very intense battle,” Marm said of the Battle of Ia Drang, for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. View a list of all the Living Medal of Honor Recipients of the Medal of Honor at the official website of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. He charged the machine gun nest and took out eight more soldiers. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. After several routine lifts into the area, https://vvmf.wordpress.com/2015/11/07/he-spent-14-hours-in-the-air-rescuing-wounded-in-the-ia-drang-valley/, https://www.stripes.com/news/special-reports/vietnam-stories/1965/ia-drang-valley-where-the-us-truly-went-to-war-1.376662, https://www.facebook.com/VietnamVeteransMemorialFund/videos/2239219906358006/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLyBazkpUFQ, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx1rzDNcFmE, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKtWX9TDFYc, https://www.military.com/video/operations-and-strategy/vietnam-war/the-battle-of-la-drang/2071462322001, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIAEcZ29aG4, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdDYNI7V0co, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7-U0FBiYUU, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/battle-la-drang-valley, https://whut.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/c27a31b7-14fc-4c5f-804e-168fbb24f5ed/plei-mei-and-the-ia-drang-valley-clip-the-vietnam-war/. Although he was a civilian, Galloway was awarded the Bronze Star medal for helping to rescue wounded soldiers during the battle. “We were an outstanding unit,” he said. The service members killed in the Battle of la Drang are remembered on Panel 3E of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. For his answer, Joe Marm was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, America’s highest military decoration for valor in combat. By the end, there were no officers left and only 49 men that were not wounded. Find valuable information for the 99th National Convention in Reno, Nevada. Medal of Honor Recipient retired Col. Walter Joseph “Joe” Marm, Jr. shared his recollections of the battle and how he continued to battle despite being shot through the jaw. The cavalry regiment returned fire, but the enemy were dug into prepared fighting positions and many of the American leaders had died or were wounded during the initial stages of the attack. Maj. Bruce Crandall’s UH-1D Huey climbs skyward after discharging a load of infantrymen while under fire during the Battle of Ia Drang Valley.

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