FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Gordon Douglas Yntema ~ 08 February 2021

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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 ~

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.

[PROCON]

Incredible Heroism and Bravery, thanks for honoring tonight’s Hero, Kathy!

[Biggirl]

Hi and God Bless All Our Military Heroes!

[Kathy in Alaska]

OOPS! Posting to the old thread, and forgot the date on this one.

Good evening, Pro...hope you and family had a great weekend.

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

February 8

Trust the Light

Bible in a Year:

• Leviticus 4–5
• Matthew 24:29–51

Believe in the light . . . so that you may become children of light.

John 12:36 The weather forecast said bomb cyclone. That’s what happens when a winter storm rapidly intensifies as the atmospheric pressure drops. By the time night fell, the blizzard conditions made the highway to the Denver airport almost impossible to see. Almost. But when it’s your daughter who’s flying home to visit, you do what you have to do. You pack extra clothes and water (just in case you get stranded on the highway), drive very slowly, pray without ceasing, and last but not least, trust your headlights. And sometimes you can achieve the almost impossible. 

Jesus foretold of a storm on the horizon, one that would involve His death (John 12:31–33), and one that would challenge His followers to stay faithful and serve (v. 26). It was going to get dark and be almost impossible to see. Almost. So what did Jesus tell them to do? Believe, or trust, the Light (v. 36). That was the only way they could keep going forward and stay faithful.

Jesus would only be with them a little while longer. But believers have His Spirit as our constant guide to light the way. We too will face dark times when it’s almost impossible to see the way ahead. Almost. But by believing, or trusting in the Light, we can press on.

Reflect & Pray

What dark season have you been through lately? How did Jesus, the Light, help you keep going?

Jesus, thank You for being the light in my darkness. Help me to trust and keep going.

[The Mayor]

Here you are! 😎

[Kathy in Alaska]

It’s a good thing I have someone to take care of me! 😁 Thanks.

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Gordon Douglas Yntema ~

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Biggirl...are you involved in the big east coast storm?

Ready for the new week?

[left that other site]

Ho Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

To all our military men and women, past and present,

THANK YOU
for your service!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and I’m on the right thread. LOL!

Thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Are you rested and ready to take on the new week?

[luvie]

Gordon Douglas Yntema
June 26, 1945 - January 18, 1968
U S Army
Recipient-Medal of Honor
...for actions in the Vietnam War.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Pro!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Biggirl!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...is the big storm getting you and Penny?

I know how much you both love snow...NOT!

[Kathy in Alaska]

The Mayor!!

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Did you manage to squeeze in a little “you” time this weekend - - maybe kick back and do a little reading?
Too bad it was so cold because it turned out to be a pretty day.

I hope Dot was able to make it out to Spotters Hill at the airport this afternoon to see not one but TWO Dreamlifters take off an hour apart. There were a few folks out there to see the sight. It’s the first time I’ve seen two in one day since I’ve been enjoying the cam.

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

How was your day? A little more stamina to make it through both services without being wiped out?

[luvie]

Hey, there!

Yes, I could tell the difference from last week to this week. Still get huffy-puffy, but not as quickly. No one ever told me how long it takes to get over pneumonia!

Hope your day went well. Did you get any more snow or is that history now?