FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Ed "Too Tall" Freeman ~ 10 May 2021

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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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!

[luvie]

Ed W. "Too Tall" Freeman
November 20, 1927 - August 20, 2008
United States Army fixed & rotary wing pilot
Medal of Honor Recipient, July 16, 2001
for actions in the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965.
A true American Hero...R I P

[radu]

Ugh! That WAS a big project. I feel for ya! Wrestling a chainsaw isn’t fun at all with a bum back. At least you got that part of the project dealt with. Replacing the fence will seem like a piece of cake after that.

Been a fairly low-key weekend here. Spent today lazing around, nursing a busted toe. One of the darn cats tripped me last night and that was all she wrote. I hope it feels better by next weekend when the museum opens!

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

I hope your day was a good one.

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

It was a lovely day. And cooler than it was yesterday. This whole week is going to be more comfortable.

Hope your day was peaceful too.

[radu]

Glad to hear it. I know you’re looking forward to a cooler week.

Can’t say it was a peaceful day here. A lotta thunderstorms have rumbled through this afternoon and evening, though none were severe. Just noisy. It’s pretty much outta here now and we have a cool week ahead.

[The Mayor]

Yes, had a great day today, 3 of our kids with wives and grandsons were here. House full, Grand sons are awesome little guys!

[luvie]

Well, that sounds right up your alley! But only if the lightning was amazing...which I guess it wasn’t. LOL!

[cpdiii]

I meet Ed Freeman. My dad was also a chopper pilot but not in Vietnam. He and Mr. Freeman worked together as civilians years later. My dad invited me to a reunion of pilots and Mr. Freeman was there. I asked him how he had the courage to do what he did. He said, “I brought those boys in and had to bring them out.”

He was wearing his medal of honor. He said he really did not want to do this, but all his pilot friends insisted that he do so.

[radu]

The lightning stayed up in the clouds for the most part. Hubby did see one bolt come down and zap a tree at the back of the farm. We were looking out different windows and I missed it. Darn the luck.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

In first....The Mayor grabs the gold!!

[luvie]

Darn! Because YOU would have gotten a picture of it. LOL!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And in second....Janey snags the silver!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

And rounding out the top three....Pro bags the bronze!!

[radu]

I certainly would have! LOL I had the camera in hand, getting video clips in hopes of a bolt. Got nothing from the windows I watched through. :-(

[luvie]

Well....maybe next time. You’ll have stormy weather sooner rather than later no doubt. LOL!

[radu]

We get plenty of stormy weather through here. It’s a matter of getting good lightning bolts or streaks across the sky. Can’t seem to get those these days.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening/morning, ML...((HUGS))...hope you have good Monday weather. Are you on foot?

[luvie]

Mother Nature is teasing you! She needs to stop it and bring some real lightning to your nights. :)

[radu]

There’ll be a good lightning shot at some point. Just have to be patient.