There are few true
hero’s in the world. Many are referred to as such but
few meet the exacting criteria.
Ed Freeman was one such hero for many reasons. As
pilot he saved the lives of soldiers in Vietnam who,
without his selfless acts, would have certainly died.
Nobody else was there to help them.
He received the Medal
of Honor – late because his application missed the
statute of limitations which was subsequently changed
– for the bravery he showed. His actions were depicted
in the recent movie “We Were Soldiers.” He died last
August and his death missed mention in mainstream
media; bailouts and elections were deemed more
important.
It is worth remembering that in our breakneck,
celebrity-laced world, that real people do great
things. Ed Freeman is one such person. RIP.
Freeman's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
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.
Read more here: Medal of Honor veteran dies in Idaho
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008127946_apidobitfreeman1stldwritethru.html
