MAJOR BRUCE P. CRANDALL A/229TH AVN BN-VIETNAM
Posted on 02/24/2007 4:37:13 AM PST by TADSLOS
WASHINGTON — Bruce Crandall was a soldier once ... and young.
As a 32-year-old helicopter pilot, he flew through a gauntlet of enemy fire, taking ammunition in and wounded Americans out of one of the fiercest battles of the Vietnam War, Army records say.
Now, a week after his 74th birthday, Crandall will receive the nation's highest military honor Monday in a White House ceremony with President Bush.
"I'm still here," he said of his 41-year-wait for the Medal of Honor. "Most of these awards are posthumous, so I can't complain."
Crandall's actions in the November 1965 Battle at Ia Drang Valley were depicted in the Hollywood movie "We Were Soldiers," adapted from the book "We Were Soldiers Once ... And Young."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Where do we get men like these?
From a patriotic small town 4 of July Parade town..no surprise there.
Ronnie,, does it feel like 41 years ago?
Garryowen / Semper Fi
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1784454/posts
Vietnam Hero to be Awarded Medal of Honor
More than 40 years after demonstrating the heroism immortalized in the bestselling book and movie, "We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young," retired Army Lt. Col. Bruce P. Crandall will receive the Medal of Honor, the White House announced yesterday.
(snip)
ping
Wow. Old Snake finally gets his well-deserved due. Well done.
}:-)4
Arlene and Bruce Crandall.
Major Bruce P. Crandall "Snake" was assigned as Commanding Officer of "A" Company, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in the Republic of Vietnam in 1965-66. Bruce's heroic efforts in the Ia Drang Valley are well documented in the book and film "We Were Soldiers" by Joe Galloway
Pelosi and Reid deeply outraged that this war criminal would be rewarded instead of put on trial </sarcasm>
LTC Bruce Crandall (Ret.) received his wings in the first aviator class at Camp Rucker, Ala., in 1955. He participated in mapping operations from Africa to the Arctic and in Central and South America, where he was director of the first project using military satellites for terrestrial mapping. He has been a fixed and rotary wing test pilot and helped to develop and test the airmobile concept and doctrine he so effectively helped implement in Vietnam.
Crandall served in the Dominican Republic and two tours in Vietnam. His 750 combat operations in Southeast Asia included the famed Battle of the Ia Drang Valley, during which he saved more than 70 wounded soldiers and provided ammo critical to the survival of the U.S. ground unit. In 1966, Crandall flew two more night rescue missions which evacuated 12 wounded from a unit in heavy contact with the enemy. He received the 1966 Aviation and Space Writers Helicopter Heroism Award for this daring rescue.
In addition to his many military awards for gallantry and service, Crandall was the seventh Army inductee in the "Gathering of Eagles," a U.S. Air Force organization honoring contributors to aviation, and he received the Silver DeFleury Medallion for his contributions in engineering and aviation.
Thanks for posting the photos.
What a Stud!!!
There were many like this man. The 85th Evac. Hospital was
busy with casualties. I was there with many other nurses and wonderful doctors. I am glad to see bravery rewarded even after all this time. Has it been 41 years?
Fly Army!
Goosebumps! Thank you, Major Crandall!
Reminder ping! Tomorrow is MOH day!
"We Were Soldiers Once" may be the most moving book I have ever read.
So many brave and couragous men and women have served this great nation over the years. At least a few have been recognized with medals they earned for the most part. Surely this warrior earned his MOH.
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