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OT: the Loss of a True American Patriot
Posted on 1/30/20 at 1:32 pm
Posted on 1/30/20 at 1:32 pm
I know none of you know who I am, or in all honesty really care, either, but I wanted to post this as a tribute to my Uncle, who just passed away from cancer/complications due to agent orange. I’d say he was the second most influential man in my life aside from my Dad. He loved this great country and devoted his life to it.
We all knew he was in Vietnam and wounded in action, but never knew the extent of it. At his funeral yesterday it was revealed that he was awarded the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and also the awards for Valor.
He never spoke of his service in Vietnam and when he did it was always funny stores and such. He was a great man who truly lived a good life and was very well respected. I truly miss him.
During the service his citations were read, and none of us, save his wife, knew of his awards. He was attached to the 4th ID as aForward Observer (for those that don’t know, he called in artillery/mortar support when needed. And he was good. To paraphrase his citations: his Valor medal was received in June 1968 inThe central highlands of Vietnam - his fire base/outpost was overran by NVA troops. Realizing this, he crawled on top of a bunker, exposing himself to enemy fire, and called in artillery on his position breaking the enemy attack. According to witnesses, he knelt on top of the bunker calling fire support while using his personal weapon. Credited with saving many lives.
In September 1968, he was awarded the Bronze Star for actions when another base was overran. In this instance, he not only called in fire support on his position, he saw many Americans wounded who were unable to get cover. He repeatedly ran into the open braving not only enemy fire but also our own artillery to get each wounded soldier and bring them to safety in a bunker. It was then he was wounded severely enough to be sent to japan and then stateside.
We never knew any of this until today. The horrors he has seen were covered by a smile and personality that was so infectious. He was the funniest man I ever met and could tell a story like nobody ever could.
Fair winds and following seas, Uncle. You are missed.
We all knew he was in Vietnam and wounded in action, but never knew the extent of it. At his funeral yesterday it was revealed that he was awarded the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, and also the awards for Valor.
He never spoke of his service in Vietnam and when he did it was always funny stores and such. He was a great man who truly lived a good life and was very well respected. I truly miss him.
During the service his citations were read, and none of us, save his wife, knew of his awards. He was attached to the 4th ID as aForward Observer (for those that don’t know, he called in artillery/mortar support when needed. And he was good. To paraphrase his citations: his Valor medal was received in June 1968 inThe central highlands of Vietnam - his fire base/outpost was overran by NVA troops. Realizing this, he crawled on top of a bunker, exposing himself to enemy fire, and called in artillery on his position breaking the enemy attack. According to witnesses, he knelt on top of the bunker calling fire support while using his personal weapon. Credited with saving many lives.
In September 1968, he was awarded the Bronze Star for actions when another base was overran. In this instance, he not only called in fire support on his position, he saw many Americans wounded who were unable to get cover. He repeatedly ran into the open braving not only enemy fire but also our own artillery to get each wounded soldier and bring them to safety in a bunker. It was then he was wounded severely enough to be sent to japan and then stateside.
We never knew any of this until today. The horrors he has seen were covered by a smile and personality that was so infectious. He was the funniest man I ever met and could tell a story like nobody ever could.
Fair winds and following seas, Uncle. You are missed.
This post was edited on 1/30/20 at 1:34 pm
14
Posted on 1/30/20 at 1:34 pm to Spaceman Spiff
quote:
due to agent orange.
Yet another reason to hate the color orange.
Sorry for your loss.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 1:47 pm to Spaceman Spiff
Sorry for your loss.
Seems like he was an amazing person and thankful we had/have people like this to protect our freedom.
I am forever thankful for veterans like your uncle and all those who serve.
God speed to him.
Seems like he was an amazing person and thankful we had/have people like this to protect our freedom.
I am forever thankful for veterans like your uncle and all those who serve.
God speed to him.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 1:55 pm to Spaceman Spiff
Salute to your uncle.
Rest easy Patriot rest easy
Rest easy Patriot rest easy
Posted on 1/30/20 at 2:18 pm to Spaceman Spiff
Prayers to him and the family. Anyone who serves in any capacity is a hero in my eyes...
Posted on 1/30/20 at 3:37 pm to Spaceman Spiff
Slow hand salute to your uncle. I can say he saw enough action to last a lifetime and then some. I am an old geezer that is a Vietnam veteran, I was also exposed to Agent Orange. I had cancer surgery a few years back, so far so good.
Veterans from that place and time have a particular brotherhood that may be difficult for non-vets to understand. We greet fellow Vietnam vets with "welcome home" and a handshake. We all lost friends over there. Time has dimmed our memory about dates and places but we never forget our fallen friends or what they looked like. They were young men back then and that is how we remember them.
Veterans from that place and time have a particular brotherhood that may be difficult for non-vets to understand. We greet fellow Vietnam vets with "welcome home" and a handshake. We all lost friends over there. Time has dimmed our memory about dates and places but we never forget our fallen friends or what they looked like. They were young men back then and that is how we remember them.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 3:44 pm to bunkerhill
quote:
bunkerhill
Thank you, Sir. And thank you for your service. God bless you and welcome home.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 3:45 pm to Spaceman Spiff
Brave men doing great things...
Posted on 1/30/20 at 4:32 pm to Spaceman Spiff
Salute to your uncle. He came home about the time I arrived there.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 6:09 pm to AlaCowboy
Thank you for all your kind words. Upon meeting him, you’d never have a clue what went on. He was a great man who, even in the past few years of his life, never let a smile leave his face. This world lost a great, great man who loved this country as much as anyone I’d ever seen.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 6:17 pm to Spaceman Spiff
Beautifully written and I appreciated the chance to read your words celebrating your uncle.
Posted on 1/30/20 at 10:29 pm to Spaceman Spiff
Thanks for sharing that.
Thoughts and Prayers
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Thoughts and Prayers
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Posted on 2/2/20 at 3:47 pm to Spaceman Spiff
Regardless of knowing you or not I care for each and every service member and their families. My family is full of military, both past and present. Prayers up for your family. God bless him for his sacrifices, service, bravery. Sounds like an amazing man.
Posted on 2/2/20 at 5:18 pm to Spaceman Spiff
Rest easy hard charger.
Posted on 2/2/20 at 5:46 pm to Spaceman Spiff
Sorry for your loss.
Posted on 2/3/20 at 6:29 am to Spaceman Spiff
thanks for this, great read to start the day
Posted on 2/3/20 at 6:48 am to Spaceman Spiff
From one vet to another...Great story about obviously a good man. Appreciate his service and yours. Godspeed to him. Rest easy.
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