Skip to comments.
FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Jon R. Cavaiani ~ 01 May 2017
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !!
| StarCMC and The Canteen Crew
Posted on 04/30/2017 5:02:45 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! |
|
~ Hall of Heroes ~ Jon R. Cavaiani Info from here. |
|
Jon Robert Cavaiani (August 2, 1943 - July 29, 2014) is a retired United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration葉he Medal of Honor庸or his actions in the Vietnam War. Born in Ireland, Cavaiani emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1947 at age four. Though initially classified 4F, due in part to a severe allergy to bee stings, Cavaiani joined the Army from Fresno, California, shortly before becoming a naturalized citizen in 1968. He was sent to Vietnam in 1970 with the Special Forces and by June 4, 1971 was serving as a Staff Sergeant in the Vietnam Training Advisory Group. On that day, in the Republic of Vietnam, his platoon came under intense enemy attack. Cavaiani organized the unit's defense and, when evacuation by helicopter became necessary, he voluntarily stayed on the ground and directed the aircraft, which successfully evacuated most of the platoon. Cavaiani and a small group were left behind. During a major enemy attack the next morning, he ordered the remaining men to escape while he stayed and provided suppressive fire to cover their retreat. He was captured and spent the next two years as a prisoner of war. Jon R. Cavaiani was released by the Provisional Government of Vietnam on April 27, 1973. |
Staff Sergeant Cavaiani's official Medal of Honor citation reads: S/Sgt. Cavaiani distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 and 5 June 1971 while serving as a platoon leader to a security platoon providing security for an isolated radio relay site located within enemy-held territory. On the morning of 4 June 1971, the entire camp came under an intense barrage of enemy small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire from a superior size enemy force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani acted with complete disregard for his personal safety as he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to move about the camp's perimeter directing the platoon's fire and rallying the platoon in a desperate fight for survival. S/Sgt. Cavaiani also returned heavy suppressive fire upon the assaulting enemy force during this period with a variety of weapons. When the entire platoon was to be evacuated, S/Sgt. Cavaiani unhesitatingly volunteered to remain on the ground and direct the helicopters into the landing zone. S/Sgt. Cavaiani was able to direct the first 3 helicopters in evacuating a major portion of the platoon. Due to intense increase in enemy fire, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was forced to remain at the camp overnight where he calmly directed the remaining platoon members in strengthening their defenses. On the morning of 5 June, a heavy ground fog restricted visibility. The superior size enemy force launched a major ground attack in an attempt to completely annihilate the remaining small force. The enemy force advanced in 2 ranks, first firing a heavy volume of small arms automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire while the second rank continuously threw a steady barrage of hand grenades at the beleaguered force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani returned a heavy barrage of small arms and hand grenade fire on the assaulting enemy force but was unable to slow them down. He ordered the remaining platoon members to attempt to escape while he provided them with cover fire. With 1 last courageous exertion, S/Sgt. Cavaiani recovered a machine gun, stood up, completely exposing himself to the heavy enemy fire directed at him, and began firing the machine gun in a sweeping motion along the 2 ranks of advancing enemy soldiers. Through S/Sgt. Cavaiani's valiant efforts with complete disregard for his safety, the majority of the remaining platoon members were able to escape. While inflicting severe losses on the advancing enemy force, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was wounded numerous times. S/Sgt. Cavaiani's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army. President Gerald Ford presented Cavaiani with the medal during a ceremony on December 12, 1974. Cavaiani later reached the rank of sergeant major before retiring from the Army in 1996. |
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! |
|
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-45 next last
To: Kathy in Alaska
Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list
Questions for God
May 1, 2017
Go with the strength you have . . . . I will be with you. nlt
Judges 6:14, 16
What would you do if the Lord showed up in the middle of your workday with a message? This happened to Gideon, one of the ancient Israelites. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, Mighty hero, the Lord is with you! Gideon could have responded with a wordless nod and gulp, but instead he said, If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? (Judg. 6:1213 nlt). Gideon wanted to know why it seemed as if God had abandoned His people.
God didnt answer that question. After Gideon had endured seven years of enemy attacks, starvation, and hiding in caves, God didnt explain why He never intervened. God could have revealed Israels past sin as the reason, but instead He gave Gideon hope for the future. God said, Go with the strength you have . . . . I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites (vv.14, 16 nlt).
Do you ever wonder why God has allowed suffering in your life? Instead of answering that specific question, God may satisfy you with His nearness today and remind you that you can rely on His strength when you feel weak. When Gideon finally believed that God was with him and would help him, he built an altar and called it The Lord Is Peace (v. 24).
There is peace in knowing that whatever we do and wherever we go, we go with God who promised never to leave or forsake His followers.
What could be better than getting answers to our why questions? Trusting a good and powerful God.
Todays text provides some insight into how we should view situations for which we feel inadequate. Gideon did not feel prepared to go into battle against the Midianites who were oppressing Israel. Responding to Gideons understandable concern, God sent the angel of the Lord to encourage him. He said that Gideon should go in the strength he had (Judg. 6:14), but he also said, I will be with you (v. 16). When God calls us to take on a difficult task, we can rely on His strength and power to help us accomplish it.
Are you facing a situation for which you feel inadequate? Ask God for His strength to help you.
2
posted on
04/30/2017 5:03:12 PM PDT
by
The Mayor
(Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder.)
To: Kathy in Alaska; StarCMC
Woo-Hoo, thanks for honoring tonight’s Hero, ladies!
3
posted on
04/30/2017 5:07:52 PM PDT
by
PROCON
To: Kathy in Alaska
What can you say after a story like that?
Thanks sergeant major Cavaiani!!
4
posted on
04/30/2017 5:08:35 PM PDT
by
mountainlion
(Live well for those that did not make it back.)
To: The Mayor
Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.
Ready to take on the new week?
5
posted on
04/30/2017 5:20:00 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: PROCON
Good evening, Pro...you and son still enjoying his school break?
6
posted on
04/30/2017 5:23:39 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Evening, Kathy. Thanks again for another bio.
7
posted on
04/30/2017 5:31:51 PM PDT
by
MoochPooch
(I'm a compassionate cynic.)
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,
8
posted on
04/30/2017 5:36:53 PM PDT
by
radu
(May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
To: mountainlion
Good evening, mountainlion...he was a hero for sure.
Is it spring again yet?
9
posted on
04/30/2017 5:49:27 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Howdy, Kathy.
Hope you’re getting some much-needed rest.
Looks like Spring has finally arrived up there. Temps in the 50s! WOOHOO! ‘Bout durn time, huh? LOL
10
posted on
04/30/2017 5:55:38 PM PDT
by
radu
(May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
To: PROCON
Howdy, PRO!
Have a good day? Nice weather?
Been cloudy and windy here and rain finally came through late this afternoon. Bad storms across the state but the system suddenly pooped out when it got here. We got lucky.
11
posted on
04/30/2017 5:58:36 PM PDT
by
radu
(May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
To: MoochPooch
Good evening, Mooch...are you having a nice spring?
The snow in the front yard is mostly all gone. Time for spring clean up.
12
posted on
04/30/2017 6:00:58 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: MoochPooch
Good evening, Mooch...are you having a nice spring?
The snow in the front yard is mostly all gone. Time for spring clean up.
13
posted on
04/30/2017 6:01:29 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Hi Kathy, yes but first I have to do a TV show tomorrow.
Time to take on the governor of this state.
14
posted on
04/30/2017 6:02:41 PM PDT
by
The Mayor
(Honesty means never having to look over your shoulder.)
To: Kathy in Alaska
Hi Kathy, yup, now that the boy is out of school we’ve been spending more time together, lotsa fun!
15
posted on
04/30/2017 6:04:22 PM PDT
by
PROCON
To: radu
Good evening, radu...and thanks for always support of our troops.
Spring is here, but the couple outside things I wanted to do will have to wait til next weekend.
I’ve been in my sickbed since late Friday afternoon, and I’ve been up too long now. Back to bed, but hopefully I’ll be back later.
16
posted on
04/30/2017 6:07:13 PM PDT
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: radu
Hi radu!
A lazy Sunday for me, nice weather but windy.
It's suppose to reach 80 degrees here mid-week, Woo-Hoo!
I'm glad you had no storm damage. Were the kittehs freaking out?
17
posted on
04/30/2017 6:09:08 PM PDT
by
PROCON
To: Kathy in Alaska
Bummer you had to get knocked down by that cold when the weekend was nice enough to do some things outside. There’s next weekend and you’ll be back on top of your game then.
Get rest!! You need it! ((HUGZ))
18
posted on
04/30/2017 6:20:06 PM PDT
by
radu
(May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
To: PROCON
Wow! Y’all will be warmer than we will this week. The rain today came with a cold front and we’ll be in the 60s and 70s. Fine with us after the 90 degrees we had yesterday.
Kittehs didn’t have any reason to freak out today. No storms here. They just pooped out about 20 miles west of us and gave us a little rain. Sadly, right before they pooped out, a storm blew a tree over onto a house and killed a woman. That was just to the west of us and we’re glad that storm didn’t come here.
19
posted on
04/30/2017 6:26:16 PM PDT
by
radu
(May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
To: Kathy in Alaska
REQUEST PERMISSION TO COME ABOARD
CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (Jan. 14, 2008) The first major snowfall of the New Year blankets the USS Constitution. Despite the weather "Old Ironsides" remained open for free public tours. At 210 years-old, USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, manned by 67 active-duty United States Sailors and visited by nearly half a million visitors annually. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eric Brown (Released)
GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS AND OUR BELOVED NATION!!!
Boston, Oct. 21, 2009 - Boatswains Mate 2nd Class Philip Gagnon pipes as USS Constitution performs an underway demonstration in honor of the three-masted wooden frigate's 212th birthday. (U.S. Navy photo by Airman Mark Alexander/Released).
USS Constitution's 1812 Marine Guard fire vintage Springfield flintlock muskets during the ship's underway. "Old Ironsides" was underway for the "Constitution Day Cruise," which is conducted to thank the family and supporters of Constitution. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Nick Lyman (Released)
OUR TROOPS ROCK!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
20
posted on
04/30/2017 6:48:10 PM PDT
by
ConorMacNessa
(FMF Corpsman - Lima 3/5 RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel protect us in Battle!)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-45 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson