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

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ 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.

[radu]

Only the “homies” again? I feel bad for the others who aren’t getting a good meal each day. I wonder if they have bubblers at University Lake to keep some open spots on the water. That would give the ducks a chance at getting some fish IF they have fish in that lake.

[radu]

Howdy, E.G.C. ((HUGZ))

Did you and Gizmo have a good romp to work up an appetite for your KFC supper?

[radu]

Yep, we need some prolonged frigid temps to kill off some of those suckers underground.

That reminds me - - this year’s supposed to be a biggie for the 17-year cicadas. Gonna be noisy when they wake up.

[radu]

The cam op zoomed in nicely on it as it was taxiing before takeoff. The plane with those trees behind it just begged for a scap. LOL

I’d love to sit on Spotters Hill to watch one of those land or take off. It’s right along the edge of the runway. What a thrill.

[luvie]

Yuk. All I can hope for is that with the tiny bit of rain we had, they all baked underground and can’t get out. LOL! I can’t stand those nasty things.

[radu]

I like them. Once in a while I get lucky enough to spot one working itself out of its pupae skin and will watch it. Nature can be fascinating.

I also like to bring in the empty skins to freak out the cats. LOL

[E.G.C.]

We had a great supper from KFC yesterday.

It was cloudy but a nice day nonetheless.

Got another head shot of the Giz:

He loves to walk on those rocks:

Couldn't get my iPhone out fast enough to get him rolling on the ground.

The rest of the pics.

Going to try and squeeze more trips to the lake later today before it starts getting colder later this week.

[radu]

It looks like you had a much prettier day than we had. It was cloudy all day and still is. We’re SUPPOSED to have sunshine later today but we’ll see.

Be glad the current cold wave didn’t dive down as far as your area. It’s 8 degrees in the Wichita, KS area right now. I watch an owl nest there.
I hope the cold wave later this week isn’t that cold for y’all. BRRRRRRRRRR

Good fun and good eatin’ yesterday. Sounds like a mighty good day!

[luvie]

Goooood mornin' Early Birds!
It's a beautiful spring day here.
Too bad it's the first week of February.
Supposed to get up to 74 today.
...and 76 and 78 the next two days.
Then back into "almost winter" that we've had.
Anyhooooo....hope you are enjoying a pretty day, too!
Have a Mahv'lus Monday
...and a Wonderful Week!
(((hugs)))

[luvie]

Mine!

[Kathy in Alaska]

w h !!

Thanks, unique!

luvie.....#50!!