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FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Ed "Too Tall" Freeman ~ 20 November 2023
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| The Canteen Crew
Posted on 11/19/2023 5:02:55 PM PST by 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. |
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.
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport
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To: Kathy in Alaska
Evening, Kathy. Woohoo! I’m in the top 10!
2
posted on
11/19/2023 5:09:00 PM PST
by
MoochPooch
(I'm a compassionate cynic.)
To: Kathy in Alaska
The rest of his story is pretty interesting too. WWII veteran before graduating from high school, then a battlefield commission in Korea.
To: Kathy in Alaska
November 20
Priceless Results
A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Proverbs 17:22On every school day for three years, Colleen has been dressing up in a different costume or mask to greet her children as they exit the school bus each afternoon. It brightens the day of everyone on the bus—including the bus driver: “[She] bring[s] so much joy to the kids on my bus, it’s amazing. I love that.” Colleen’s children agree.
It all started when Colleen began fostering children. Knowing how difficult it was to be separated from parents and to attend a new school, she began greeting the kids in a costume. After three days of doing so, the kids didn’t want her to stop. So Colleen continued. It was an investment of time and money at thrift shops, but, as reporter Meredith TerHaar describes, it brought a “priceless result: happiness.”
One little verse amid a book of wise and witty advice, largely by King Solomon to his son, sums up the results of this mom’s antics: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). By bringing cheer to all her kids (biological, adopted, and foster), she hoped to prevent crushed spirits.
The source of true and lasting joy is God through the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21; Galatians 5:22). The Spirit enables us to shine God’s light as we strive to bring joy to others, a joy that offers hope and strength to face trials. .
Reflect & Pray
When has someone done something to bring you joy? What was the result?
Dear Father, thank You for giving me joy. Help me to spread it to others.
4
posted on
11/19/2023 5:13:54 PM PST
by
The Mayor
(Dear God, please restore me and make my world new.)
To: MoJo2001; 007; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; 11B3; 1FreeAmerican; 1stbn27; 2111USMC; 300winmag; 357 SIG; ...
~ Hall of Heroes: Ed "Too Tall" Freeman ~
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5
posted on
11/19/2023 5:20:51 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Good evening Kathy and thanks for honoring tonight’s Hero!
6
posted on
11/19/2023 5:24:13 PM PST
by
PROCON
(Sic Semper Tyrannis)
To: MoochPooch
Not only the top 10, Mooch...you are first! Good job!!
Hope life is treating you well. Ready for Thanksgiving?
It is 3 degrees right now...today’s high at my house. Have you had any snow?
7
posted on
11/19/2023 5:28:58 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: HartleyMBaldwin
Thanks, HartleyMBaldwin...
Freeman was born in Neely, Greene County, Mississippi, the sixth of nine children. When he was 13 years old, he saw thousands of men on maneuvers pass by his home in Mississippi. He knew then that he would become a soldier.
Freeman grew up in nearby McLain, Mississippi, and graduated from Washington High School. At age 17, before graduating from high school, Freeman served in the United States Navy for two years in WWII. After the war, he returned to his hometown and graduated from high school. He joined the United States Army in September 1948, and married Barbara Morgan on April 30, 1955. They had two sons: Mike, born in 1956, and Doug, born in 1962.
By the time of the Korean War, Freeman reached the army rank of first sergeant. Although he was in the Corps of Engineers, his company fought as infantry soldiers in Korea. He participated in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill and earned a battlefield commission as one of only 14 survivors out of 257 men who made it through the opening stages of the battle. His second lieutenant bars were pinned on by General James Van Fleet personally. He then assumed command of B Company and led them back up Pork Chop Hill.
The commission made him eligible to become a pilot, a childhood dream of his. However, when he applied for pilot training he was told that, at six feet four inches, he was "too tall" for pilot duty. The phrase stuck, and he was known by the nickname of "Too Tall" for the rest of his career. In 1955, the height limit for pilots was raised and Freeman was accepted into flying school. He first flew fixed-wing army airplanes before switching to helicopters. After the Korean War, he flew the world on mapping missions.
8
posted on
11/19/2023 5:40:26 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: The Mayor
Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.
Hope you are staying warm, and ready for the new week and Thanksgiving.
9
posted on
11/19/2023 5:52:05 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
No snow yet. But colder weather expected after Thanksgiving. Boo.
10
posted on
11/19/2023 6:03:39 PM PST
by
MoochPooch
(I'm a compassionate cynic.)
To: PROCON
Good evening, Pro...you are most welcome. He knew what he wanted...and he succeeded.
Have you recovered from the WA game?
11
posted on
11/19/2023 6:23:25 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
Bump!
12
posted on
11/19/2023 6:27:31 PM PST
by
smokingfrog
( sleep with one eye open (<o> --- )
To: The Mayor; PROCON; mylife; mountainlion; Publius; Jet Jaguar; ConorMacNessa; ...
13
posted on
11/19/2023 6:30:08 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska; y'all; radu; beachn4fun; Allegra; GodBlessUSA; E.G.C.; Jet Jaguar; ...
Ed W. "Too Tall" Freeman
November 20, 1927 - August 20, 2008
United States Army Officer
Fixed & rotary Wing Aircraft Pilot
Medal of Honor Recipient, July 16, 2001
for actions in Battle of Ia Drang, 1965.
What a HERO he was!
14
posted on
11/19/2023 6:53:43 PM PST
by
luvie
(🇺🇸The bravery/dedication of our troops keeping us safe & free make me proud to be an American.🇺🇸)
To: All
15
posted on
11/19/2023 6:53:50 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: MoochPooch
Mooch!!
1st!!
16
posted on
11/19/2023 6:56:43 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: Kathy in Alaska
To: HartleyMBaldwin
HartleyMBaldwin!!
2nd!!
18
posted on
11/19/2023 7:11:04 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: The Mayor
The Mayor!!
3rd!!
19
posted on
11/19/2023 7:11:52 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
To: left that other site
Good evening, ML...(HUGS))...Tippy catch any reindeer today?
20
posted on
11/19/2023 7:26:24 PM PST
by
Kathy in Alaska
((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
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