Never Forget... Freedom Is NOT Free
An amazing spirit slipped away a few weeks ago and we only
became aware of it this weekend... and we did not waste anymore
time in letting you know that one of the best and brightest of our
nation's many heroes has gone west.
His name was Ed W. "Too Tall" Freeman -- an American Hero who
was once a Captain, US Army Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter
Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Ed was one of the
thousands who served our nation in Vietnam... and a number of years
after his service was done, a grateful nation recognized that he
deserved the medal of Honor... and at a long overdue 2001
ceremony, one of Vietnam's many heroes finally got the thanks he
deserved.
The Medal of Honor citation tells an amazing story...
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.
Captain Freeman went west on August 20th 2008... but we wanted
to let you know without further delay that another great man, a
flyer like us, has gone the way we all must go... but not before
leaving this world a better and safer place. Ed "Too Tall" Freeman
has gone west... leaving a grateful nation behind to remember an
amazing hero...
Godspeed Captain, and God Bless...