FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Gordon Douglas Yntema ~ 24 April 2017

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC and The Canteen Crew

[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 ~

Gordon Douglas Yntema
Information from here.

           

Gordon Douglas Yntema (June 26, 1945 – January 18, 1968) 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.

Yntema joined the Army from Detroit, Michigan in 1964, and by January 16, 1968 was serving as a Sergeant in Company D of the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). On that day, near Thong Binh in the Republic of Vietnam, Yntema and the two platoons of irregulars he was with were involved in a heavy firefight with the Viet Cong. After the group's Vietnamese commander was wounded, Yntema led the force for the remainder of the two-day battle as ammunition dwindled and losses mounted. With his position about to be overrun, he refused to abandon his wounded comrades and instead fought to the death.

Yntema, aged 22 at his death, was buried in Pilgrim Home Cemetery, Holland, Michigan. He and his wife Peggy had three daughters, Elizabeth, Jane and Julie.

The enlisted club at Fort Bragg, NC is named in his honor.

Sergeant Yntema's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life and above and beyond the call of duty. Sgt. Yntema, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while assigned to Detachment A-431, Company D. As part of a larger force of civilian irregulars from Camp Cai Cai, he accompanied 2 platoons to a blocking position east of the village of Thong Binh, where they became heavily engaged in a small-arms fire fight with the Viet Cong. Assuming control of the force when the Vietnamese commander was seriously wounded, he advanced his troops to within 50 meters of the enemy bunkers. After a fierce 30 minute fire fight, the enemy forced Sgt. Yntema to withdraw his men to a trench in order to afford them protection and still perform their assigned blocking mission. Under cover of machinegun fire, approximately 1 company of Viet Cong maneuvered into a position which pinned down the friendly platoons from 3 sides. A dwindling ammunition supply, coupled with a Viet Cong mortar barrage which inflicted heavy losses on the exposed friendly troops, caused many of the irregulars to withdraw. Seriously wounded and ordered to withdraw himself, Sgt. Yntema refused to leave his fallen comrades. Under withering small arms and machinegun fire, he carried the wounded Vietnamese commander and a mortally wounded American Special Forces advisor to a small gully 50 meters away in order to shield them from the enemy fire. Sgt. Yntema then continued to repulse the attacking Viet Cong attempting to overrun his position until, out of ammunition and surrounded, he was offered the opportunity to surrender. Refusing, Sgt. Yntema stood his ground, using his rifle as a club to fight the approximately 15 Viet Cong attempting his capture. His resistance was so fierce that the Viet Cong were forced to shoot in order to overcome him. Sgt. Yntema's personal bravery in the face of insurmountable odds and supreme self-sacrifice were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect the utmost credit upon himself, the 1st Special Forces, and the U.S. Army.

Please remember, the Canteen is family friendly and we exist to support and honor our troops and their families, as well as our Allies Troops and theirs.  Thank you to every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine and Coast Guardsman out there for doing what you do to keep us safe.  We are ever in your debt.  And thank you, too, to the families and friends who support them.  God bless our troops.

[luvie]

Thank You
Sgt.Gordon Douglas Yntema
MOH recipient and hero!
R. I. P.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Ready to take on the new week?

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.
Hope your weekend has been an uneventful one.

Whew, these threads always give me chills. The bravery of these men when the odds are stacked against them .......

[PROCON]

Hmm, is it just a coincidence that the 2 night owl trouble-makers showed up about the same time?

I think not :-)

[radu]

Howdy PRO!

Did you get some son time today? Do something fun outside or save the world? :-)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evenng, Mac...*HUGS*...any dirt time? More plantings?

[radu]

Howdy do, Conor! *Hugz*

Hope you’ve had a nice weekend. Did your weather allow for any dirt time?

[luvie]

Heehee! It’s a PRO-plot! :)

[radu]

Yeah, we schemed. LOL!

Actually, total coinkidink.

[radu]

Sounds like you and Penny had a good day.
Our weather must have swapped places. Wet and cold down here today.

[ConorMacNessa]

No dirt time this weekend - we've been going through old stuff - we're not hoarders but it's amazing the stuff we have in our basement - in boxes - that has not seen the light of day since we moved into the Castle almost thirty years ago.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[PROCON]

Hi radu!

Heh-heh, I know you galz are up to something!

Nothing happening today on my end, lousy weather and wind.

Upcoming week should be better now that son has more time on his hands.

Your and kittehs day OK?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi Sand...((HUGS))...ready for a Maddi week?

Has Charlie recovered from his Easter fun with the kids?

[Publius]

Just got back from Vancouver where Murray Perahia performed Bach, Schubert, Mozart and Beethoven in recital at the University of British Columbia. Traffic in Vancouver was a mess.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Radu!

*HUGS*

A good weekend, thanks. No dirt time this weekend - the tree pollen is through the stratosphere in our neck of the woods and I stayed inside except for going to Mass.

"I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces guarding our country and our way of life.
I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

[luvie]

Totally! I had to scroll down to see if you really were here. LOL!

[radu]

Hmmmm, suspicious mind have you? LOL

Is your son going to wait a little while before going to full-time work to give him a little breather? That would be nice since you two would have time to do some things together.

Sounds like we had similar weather. It was wet, breezy, and chilly here today. Even the cats who are allowed outside didn’t stay out a half hour before begging to come back in.

Typical Sunday here. Went to visit Aunt Clara for a while and stopped at the store for stuff we were out of. Keeping a close eye on Pixie since her kittens could arrive any time now. The waiting game.

[Kathy in Alaska]

WOOHOO!!! Weather good enough to both ride AND walk!!

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))

Spring has Sprung!! Here, too!

[radu]

Hoo boy, sounds like fun. NOT!
Then again, it can be almost like Christmas since you’ve probably forgotten about a lot of things you ran across while rummaging. LOL

[radu]

UGH! Tree pollen. Just thinking about it makes one sneeze. It’s really bad here too .... oaks are spewing it like crazy and I’m very allergic to oak pollen.
I noticed our pecan trees have tassels now so they’re adding to the mix.