FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Fred William Zabitosky ~ August 26, 2013

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

Our Troops Rock!  Thank you for all you do!

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!

---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Fred William Zabitosky
Info from here.

           

Fred William Zabitosky (October 27, 1942 – January 18, 1996) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration — the Medal of Honor — for his actions in the Vietnam War.

Zabitosky joined the Army from his birth city of Trenton, New Jersey in 1959, and by February 19, 1968 was serving as a Staff Sergeant with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). On that day, while on reconnaissance patrol in Laos, his small team came under intense enemy fire. Zabitosky directed the defense until rescue helicopters arrived, and when the helicopter that was to extract him from the battlefield crashed, he ignored his own injuries to save the downed craft's pilot. Zabitosky was later promoted to Sergeant First Class and, in 1969, was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon. He retired from the Army after 30 years of service with the rank of Master Sergeant.

Zabitosky, aged 53 at his death, was buried in Lumbee Memorial Park, Lumberton, North Carolina. A street, the former Community Access Road, on nearby Fort Bragg was named in his honor.

Sergeant First Class Zabitosky's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Zabitosky, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving as an assistant team leader of a 9-man Special Forces long-range reconnaissance patrol. Sfc. Zabitosky's patrol was operating deep within enemy-controlled territory when they were attacked by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army unit. Sfc. Zabitosky rallied his team members, deployed them into defensive positions, and, exposing himself to concentrated enemy automatic weapons fire, directed their return fire. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sfc. Zabitosky ordered his patrol to move to a landing zone for helicopter extraction while he covered their withdrawal with rifle fire and grenades. Rejoining the patrol under increasing enemy pressure, he positioned each man in a tight perimeter defense and continually moved from man to man, encouraging them and controlling their defensive fire. Mainly due to his example, the outnumbered patrol maintained its precarious position until the arrival of tactical air support and a helicopter extraction team. As the rescue helicopters arrived, the determined North Vietnamese pressed their attack. Sfc. Zabitosky repeatedly exposed himself to their fire to adjust suppressive helicopter gunship fire around the landing zone. After boarding 1 of the rescue helicopters, he positioned himself in the door delivering fire on the enemy as the ship took off. The helicopter was engulfed in a hail of bullets and Sfc. Zabitosky was thrown from the craft as it spun out of control and crashed. Recovering consciousness, he ignored his extremely painful injuries and moved to the flaming wreckage. Heedless of the danger of exploding ordnance and fuel, he pulled the severely wounded pilot from the searing blaze and made repeated attempts to rescue his patrol members but was driven back by the intense heat. Despite his serious burns and crushed ribs, he carried and dragged the unconscious pilot through a curtain of enemy fire to within 10 feet of a hovering rescue helicopter before collapsing. Sfc. Zabitosky's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

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! 

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, Beach. How’s it going?

[MEG33]

It's Monday!!

I Wish You All A Good Week
God Bless Our Troops

[left that other site]

Ah Yes!

And of Course, The Latin Phrase “Dominus Deus Sabaoth” (Meaning “LORD, God Almighty”) is From The Hebrew “YHVH Sabaoth”, One of the Names we studied together on the Jerusalem Thread.

If only everybody realized how much it ALL fits together! :-)

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning to everyone at the Canteen. 74º and headed for the 90s later.
We have rain in the forecast again. All the showers missed us yesterday.

[MEG33]

No showers here.
(((HUGS)))

[PROCON]

Morning Beachie!!

Wow, we had some rain over the weekend and it's cooled off a lot; our forest fires need the moisture!

Pretty boring weekend, I'm taking Friday off too, son-boy and I are taking in the 1st Oregon State football game, Woo-Hoo!

About a week til school starts and still lots to do..

Have a Sunomenal day!

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, MEG33. How’s it going?

[PROCON]

Morning MEG, hope you have a great week!

[luvie]

Mmmpfh...is it REALLY Monday, Early Birds?
I can't open my eeeeeyes!!
I think I stayed up too late....again...
It's a beautiful morning
but I'd rather spend it snoozing
than getting ready for...WORK!!
(in my best Maynard G Krebbs voice)
Hope all of YOU have a Mahv'lus Monday!
And can get back home on time! :)
((((hugs))))

[MEG33]

More coffee needed!
;o)

((((HUGS)))

[MEG33]

Thank you!

[MEG33]

(((HUGS)) Hope your day goes well.

[luvie]

Good morning, Megs! (((hugs)))

Hope you have a great day, too! :)

[Arrowhead1952]

Good morning and (((HUGS))).

[E.G.C.]

((HUGS))Good morning, LUV W. How’s it going?

[MEG33]

Thank you, LUV..

[tomkow6]

WHO?

[tomkow6]

merin’

[MEG33]

(((HUGS)))

[tomkow6]

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