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Freeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Gary George Wetzel ~ 01 August 2016
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| StarCMC and The Canteen Crew
Posted on 07/31/2016 5:04:58 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces. Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today! |
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~ Hall of Heroes ~ Gary George Wetzel Info from here. |
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Gary George Wetzel (born September 29, 1947) is a former United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decorationthe Medal of Honorfor his actions in the Vietnam War. |
Wetzel joined the Army from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and by January 8, 1968 was a Private First Class serving as a door gunner in the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company. On that day, near Ap Dong An, Republic of Vietnam, his helicopter was shot down and the survivors, including Wetzel, came under heavy enemy fire. Severely wounded by an explosion which nearly severed his left arm, he continued to man his machine-gun and help other injured soldiers. Wetzel survived his wounds, although his left arm had to be amputated. He was subsequently promoted to Specialist Four and awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions. Wetzel currently lives in his hometown of South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and works as a heavy equipment operator. |
Wetzel's official Medal of Honor citation reads:
Sp4c. Wetzel, 173d Assault Helicopter Company, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life. above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Wetzel was serving as door gunner aboard a helicopter which was part of an insertion force trapped in a landing zone by intense and deadly hostile fire. Sp4c. Wetzel was going to the aid of his aircraft commander when he was blown into a rice paddy and critically wounded by 2 enemy rockets that exploded just inches from his location. Although bleeding profusely due to the loss of his left arm and severe wounds in his right arm, chest, and left leg, Sp4c. Wetzel staggered back to his original position in his gun-well and took the enemy forces under fire. His machinegun was the only weapon placing effective fire on the enemy at that time. Through a resolve that overcame the shock and intolerable pain of his injuries, Sp4c. Wetzel remained at his position until he had eliminated the automatic weapons emplacement that had been inflicting heavy casualties on the American troops and preventing them from moving against this strong enemy force. Refusing to attend his own extensive wounds, he attempted to return to the aid of his aircraft commander but passed out from loss of blood. Regaining consciousness, he persisted in his efforts to drag himself to the aid of his fellow crewman. After an agonizing effort, he came to the side of the crew chief who was attempting to drag the wounded aircraft commander to the safety of a nearby dike. Unswerving in his devotion to his fellow man, Sp4c. Wetzel assisted his crew chief even though he lost consciousness once again during this action. Sp4c. Wetzel displayed extraordinary heroism in his efforts to aid his fellow crewmen. His gallant actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
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~December 3, 2007~
From left, retired Maj. Gen. Patrick H. Brady looks on while Maj. Gen. Virgil L. Packett III, commanding general of the U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center, presents a commemorative street sign to Gary G. Wetzel during a ceremony at Fort Rucker, Alabama, to name streets in their honor in a new housing development there on Dec. 3, 2007. Brady and Wetzel are both Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients. |
Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families. This is a politics-free zone! Thanks for helping us in our mission! |
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC
Thanks for tonight’s Hero, ladies!
2
posted on
07/31/2016 5:07:05 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Americans First or Terrorists First - Choose in November)
To: PROCON
Good evenng, Pro....Blue Angels overhead. LOUD!! The sound of freedom.
3
posted on
07/31/2016 5:09:37 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
( (~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Thanks for the post Kathy. God bless Mr. Wetzel and all our military.
4
posted on
07/31/2016 5:11:58 PM PDT
by
hawaiianninja
(Palm note to self: "Prepare for some serious 2016 house cleaning. Trump/Pence 2016!")
To: Kathy in Alaska
NICE, the sound of Freedom, indeed!
Just hanging out with cooler weather today, hope your day is going well.
5
posted on
07/31/2016 5:15:00 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Americans First or Terrorists First - Choose in November)
To: hawaiianninja
Welcome to the Canteen, hawaiianninja. You’re welcome. Another hero for sure.
6
posted on
07/31/2016 5:16:23 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
( (~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
A lot of guys did some really amazing things. It is a miracle that so many survived.
7
posted on
07/31/2016 5:18:55 PM PDT
by
mountainlion
(Live well for those that did not make it back.)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list
The Best Is Yet to Come
August 1, 2016
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Deuteronomy 33:27
Are the best days of your life behind or in front of you? Our outlook on lifeand our answer to that questioncan change with time. When were younger, we look ahead, wanting to grow up. And once weve grown older, we yearn for the past, wanting to be young again. But when we walk with God, whatever our age, the best is yet to come!
Over the course of his long life, Moses witnessed the amazing things God did, and many of those amazing things happened when he was no longer a young man. Moses was 80 years old when he confronted Pharaoh and saw God miraculously set His people free from slavery (Ex. 313). Moses saw the Red Sea part, saw manna fall from heaven, and even spoke with God face to face (14:21; 16:4; 33:11).
Throughout his life, Moses lived expectantly, looking ahead to what God would do (Heb. 11:2427). He was 120 years old in his final year of life on this earth, and even then he understood that his life with God was just getting started and that he would never see an end to Gods greatness and love.
Regardless of our age, the eternal God is [our] refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deut. 33:27) that faithfully carry us into His joy each day.
O Lord my God, I praise You for all You have done in the past. I look forward with thankfulness for all You will do in the future. And I thank You for today and all Your blessings.
When we walk with God, the best is yet to come.
Although Moses walked with God, he wasnt perfect. In response to the grumbling Israelites, he got angry and acted in disobedience. Instead of speaking to the rock, he struck it. This impulsive act called attention to him rather than to God, and he lost his opportunity to enter the Promised Land (Num. 20:112).
8
posted on
07/31/2016 5:22:31 PM PDT
by
The Mayor
(Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder.)
To: StarCMC; MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 2LT Radix jr; ...
Sending out prayers for Arrowhead1952 as he recovers from his horrible fall.
~ Hall of Heroes: Gary George Wetzel ~
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9
posted on
07/31/2016 5:39:20 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
( (~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska; LUV W; HiJinx; AZamericonnie; Jet Jaguar; Soaring Feather; SandRat; ...
Greetings to all at the Canteen!
To all our military men and women, past and present,
10
posted on
07/31/2016 5:41:43 PM PDT
by
radu
(May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
To: All
11
posted on
07/31/2016 5:41:45 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
( (~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: PROCON
Howdy, PRO.
Had a good weekend? Still roasty toasty up there?
12
posted on
07/31/2016 5:49:59 PM PDT
by
radu
(May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
To: mountainlion
Good evening, mountainlion...he sure did some amazing things, putting his injuries aside to help his fellow man.
He was truly a hero.
Are you having a nice summer?
13
posted on
07/31/2016 5:50:53 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
( (~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Howdy, Kathy.
VERY cool you have the Blue Angels flying overhead. Gives me shivers to think about it - - the good kind.
How’s the weekend gone? Did you get the stuff you and your sister boxed up hauled off?
14
posted on
07/31/2016 5:53:57 PM PDT
by
radu
(May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
To: Kathy in Alaska
A brave man.
Thank you for the story on my birthday (7-31)
Ed
15
posted on
07/31/2016 5:55:41 PM PDT
by
husky ed
(FOX NEWS ALERT "Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead" THIS HAS BEEN A FOX NEWS ALERT)
To: The Mayor
Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.
Ready to take on the new week?
16
posted on
07/31/2016 5:56:34 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
( (~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Are you having a nice summer?
It has been cool with showers the last couple days. There is some smoke form the fire in NW Colorado. Life is good.
The next 100 days could be quite exciting. I hate the phone marketers and surveys so that will be the Pitts.
17
posted on
07/31/2016 5:57:10 PM PDT
by
mountainlion
(Live well for those that did not make it back.)
To: The Mayor; ConorMacNessa; SandRat; mountainlion; HiJinx; Publius; Jet Jaguar; TMSuchman; PROCON; ...
18
posted on
07/31/2016 6:01:00 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
( (~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: radu
Howdy Hi radu!
Much cooler here today and into next week.
Just a couple of shopping errands for me today and then maximum laziness!
Howz about you, any rain yet?
19
posted on
07/31/2016 6:06:56 PM PDT
by
PROCON
(Americans First or Terrorists First - Choose in November)
To: StarCMC; MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 2LT Radix jr; ...
20
posted on
07/31/2016 6:11:23 PM PDT
by
SandRat
(Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
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