FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Ed W "Too Tall" Freeman ~ 26 March 2018

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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.

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Ed W "Too Tall" Freeman

Info from this website.

           

Ed W. "Too Tall" Freeman (November 20, 1927 - August 20, 2008) was a United States Army fixed and rotary wing aircraft pilot who received the Medal of Honor on July 16, 2001 for his actions in the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965. As a helicopter pilot, he flew through gunfire more than 20 times during a single, ferocious battle, bringing supplies to a trapped battalion of United States soldiers and flying more than 70 wounded soldiers to safety. Freeman flew wingman for Major Bruce Crandall who also received the Medal of Honor for the same missions. He is also honored in the film "We Were Soldiers" and is played by Mark McCracken.

Freeman died August 20, 2008 due to complications from parkinsons disease.

Citation

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:

Captain Ed W. Freeman, United States Army, distinguished himself by numerous acts of conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary intrepidity on 14 November 1965 while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). As a flight leader and second in command of a 16-helicopter lift unit, he supported a heavily engaged American infantry battalion at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The unit was almost out of ammunition after taking some of the heaviest casualties of the war, fighting off a relentless attack from a highly motivated, heavily armed enemy force. When the infantry commander closed the helicopter landing zone due to intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his own life by flying his unarmed helicopter through a gauntlet of enemy fire time after time, delivering critically needed ammunition, water and medical supplies to the besieged battalion. His flights had a direct impact on the battle's outcome by providing the engaged units with timely supplies of ammunition critical to their survival, without which they would almost surely have gone down, with much greater loss of life. After medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the area due to intense enemy fire, Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing life-saving evacuation of an estimated 30 seriously wounded soldiers -- some of whom would not have survived had he not acted. All flights were made into a small emergency landing zone within 100 to 200 meters of the defensive perimeter where heavily committed units were perilously holding off the attacking elements. Captain Freeman's selfless acts of great valor, extraordinary perseverance and intrepidity were far above and beyond the call of duty or mission and set a superb example of leadership and courage for all of his peers. Captain Freeman's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States 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!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Great pictures of our troops in flight. Thanks, EMB.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Glad you got to enjoy an excellent movie outing.

[luvie]

Better go tell Milda to batten down the hatches on that eggie. She’s in for a bumpy ride. I’d sure hate to be an eagle this year! Sheeeeesh!

[radu]

Yep, Raimis and Milda, and Osis and Cilla - the eagles at the other Latvian nest. Not sure where their nest is but I get the feeling it’s in the north. The wind is blowing harder there than at Raimis’s nest. That one is in the SW part of the country. And there’s still snow on the ground at Osis’s nest.

I’d hate to be any kind of bird in the north - over there or here, this year. Been a rough time for all of them. Too much snow!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Meet Nova...she's a Dutch Shepherd....

Her first outing to visit a friend at a barber shop.

Ashlie is preparing food bowls for Zora and Barrett. Nova is in the puppy pen in the other room....
until Ash turned around to find Nova out of the puppy pen and following the proper behavior before eating.

[Kathy in Alaska]

.....

Thanks, unique.

Luv.....#50!!

[luvie]

Oh, I didn’t know the other pair’s names. Poor things! I hope that the snow dies out before it reaches them.

I guess I’d better scoot. It was waaaaaaay too early this morning and as usual, I could NOT turn off my brain last night till after 3am. I even took something and still tossed and turned.

I hope you as well as Latvia get a break in the weather. Send all the wet stuff to me. I promise I won’t fuss. :)

[radu]

Aaaaaawwwww, she’s adorable! First I’ve heard of Dutch Shepherds.

Sounds like she’s a smart lil girlie too. Who wants to wait to eat? LOL

[radu]

I didn’t know their names until tonight. Saw it mentioned in chat on their page.

I certainly wish we COULD send some of this durn rain your way. We do NOT need it.

It’s hard going to sleep early, isn’t it? LOL! Been there, done that too many times. But you get to sleep in tomorrow!
Unless your hubby fries up bacon again. :-)

Sleep well.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Monday morning to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country. ((HUGS))Good morning, Ladies. Thanks for this morning’s thread, Star. How’s it going?

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

His story always brings tears to my eyes. One heck of a man.

[luvie]

Howdy, EGC! (((hugs)))

All is well here. Cloudy and cool and still. Just like I like it. Now, if it would rain it would be perfect!

Hope you and Bo have a fun day at the lake today! Did he find any hapless critters this weekend?

[luvie]

Well, Early Birds!
Are ya "up and at 'em"?
I'm not, thank goodness. LOL!
I slept in. *blink*
It's cloudy and cool here.
Thank goodness the wind is not blowing!
That's always a plus.
I'm going to go do a rain dance.
No...you can't watch! LOL!
Anyhooooo....🦉.....y'all have a Mahv'lus Monday!
And please don't work TOO hard!
It ain't good for ya!
((((hugs))))

[E.G.C.]

No we just walked. That was all.

[spel_grammer_an_punct_polise]

“I’m going to go do a rain dance.
No...you can’t watch!”

I wanna watch! I wanna watch! I wanna watch!

[luvie]

Well, walking is a good thing. Keeps both of you healthy!

[luvie]

Dude.....

Noooooooooooooo!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Happy Birthday, beachy!!

Click

[luvie]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EARLY BIRD! :)

[MEG33]

~Happy Birthday Dear Beachy~
Have A Wonderful Day!