FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Lawrence Joel ~ 10 June 2024

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[Kathy in Alaska]

 

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Lawrence Joel

Info from here.

           

Lawrence Joel (February 22, 1928 - February 4, 1984) was a United States Army Sergeant First Class who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. While serving in Vietnam, as a medic with the rank of Specialist Five assigned to 1st Battalion of the 503rd Infantry Regiment in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Joel received the Silver Star and the Medal of Honor for his heroism in a battle with the Viet Cong that occurred on November 8, 1965. He was the first living black American to receive this medal since the Spanish-American War in 1898.

He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia.  His grave can be found in section 46, lot 15-1.

Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Joel attended city public schools, including Atkins High School, and joined the Merchant Marines for one year. In 1946, at age 18, Joel decided to join the United States Army, making a career out of it. He enlisted in New York City.

On November 8, 1965 then-Specialist Five Lawrence Joel and his battalion of paratroopers were sent on a patrol for Viet Cong soldiers near Bien Hoa, warzone "D" in the heart of Vietnam, conducting Operation Hump. Joel and his battalion shortly found themselves in a Viet Cong ambush, outnumbered six to one. Under heavy gunfire, Joel did his duty as a medic, administering first aid to wounded soldiers. Joel defied orders to stay to the ground and risked his life to help the many wounded soldiers; nearly every soldier in the lead squad was either wounded or killed in the battle. Even after being shot twice (once in the right thigh and once in the right calf), Joel continued to do his job; he bandaged his wounds and continued to help the wounded in not only his unit, but in the nearby company as well. When his medical supplies were depleted, he hobbled around the battlefield for more, using a makeshift crutch. Joel attended to thirteen troops and saved the life of one soldier who suffered from a severe chest wound by improvising and placing a plastic bag over the soldier's chest in order to seal the wound until the supplies were refreshed. After the firefight which lasted over twenty four hours, Joel was hospitalized and shipped to locations including Saigon, Vietnam and Tokyo, Japan to recover. Shortly after, he received the Silver Star for his activities on November 8, 1965.

On March 9, 1967 on the White House lawn, President Lyndon Johnson presented Joel with the Medal of Honor for his service in the Vietnam War. His citation reads as follows:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp6c. Joel demonstrated indomitable courage, determination, and professional skill when a numerically superior and well-concealed Viet Cong element launched a vicious attack which wounded or killed nearly every man in the lead squad of the company. After treating the men wounded by the initial burst of gunfire, he bravely moved forward to assist others who were wounded while proceeding to their objective. While moving from man to man, he was struck in the right leg by machine gun fire. Although painfully wounded his desire to aid his fellow soldiers transcended all personal feeling. He bandaged his own wound and self-administered morphine to deaden the pain enabling him to continue his dangerous undertaking. Through this period of time, he constantly shouted words of encouragement to all around him. Then, completely ignoring the warnings of others, and his pain, he continued his search for wounded, exposing himself to hostile fire; and, as bullets dug up the dirt around him, he held plasma bottles high while kneeling completely engrossed in his life saving mission. Then, after being struck a second time and with a bullet lodged in his thigh, he dragged himself over the battlefield and succeeded in treating 13 more men before his medical supplies ran out. Displaying resourcefulness, he saved the life of one man by placing a plastic bag over a severe chest wound to congeal the blood. As 1 of the platoons pursued the Viet Cong, an insurgent force in concealed positions opened fire on the platoon and wounded many more soldiers. With a new stock of medical supplies, Sp6c. Joel again shouted words of encouragement as he crawled through an intense hail of gunfire to the wounded men. After the 24 hour battle subsided and the Viet Cong dead numbered 410, snipers continued to harass the company. Throughout the long battle, Sp6c. Joel never lost sight of his mission as a medical airman and continued to comfort and treat the wounded until his own evacuation was ordered. His meticulous attention to duty saved a large number of lives and his unselfish, daring example under most adverse conditions was an inspiration to all. Sp6c. Joel's profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country

On April 8, 1967, the city of Winston-Salem held a parade to honor Lawrence Joel. He grew up on the east side of the city, a predominantly African-American section of the city at the time. The New York Times called it the biggest tribute the city had ever staged. Watch WFMY News 2 vintage video of the parade.

Lawrence Joel retired from military service in 1973. On February 4, 1984, Joel died of complications from diabetes. He is buried in Section 46 of Arlington National Cemetery adjacent to the Memorial Amphitheater.

Besides being the recipient of the Medal of Honor, several different buildings and memorials have been named in his honor.

The first military memorial named in his honor was Joel Drive, which encircles Blanchfield Community Hospital at Fort Campbell, KY, dedicated in 1985.

But wait, there's more....

Click the picture to view the video

"8th of November" is the title of a song written and recorded by the American country music duo Big & Rich, and recorded on their 2005 album Comin' to Your City. Released in May 2006 as that album's third and final single, the song became the duo's seventh Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, where it peaked at #18, in addition to reaching #94 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The lyrics of the refrain refer specifically to "1965, the 8th of November" in describing the battle. In the album version, Kris Kristofferson provides the introduction and explains the significance of November 8, 1965. The 173d Airborne Brigade was ambushed by Viet Cong during Operation Hump. One of the wounded, Niles Harris, was among the several soldiers saved by Lawrence Joel, who later became the first living black American to receive the Medal of Honor since the Spanish-American War. Years later, Harris gave Big Kenny (one half of the duo) the top hat he often wears in public appearances.

The song itself is a mid-tempo set in triple meter, giving an account of Harris' life. In the first verse, at the age of 19, Harris joins the military to fight the Vietnamese. He ends up in Vietnam, "with the smell of napalm in the air." The thirty in his group are then ambushed, as earlier stated by Kristofferson. In the second verse, Harris, now 58, exhibits the lingering injuries he sustained during the war, but he is "strong when he talks" about his injuries and his memories of his fallen comrades.

 

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! 

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[PROCON]

Hi Kathy, thanks for tonight’s Canteen and for honoring our Hero!

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Lawrence Joel ~

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Jim Robinson...The Head FReeper is in need....

Prayers of Encouragement needed!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...hope you and Blue were able to get out for a bit.

Is Tippy enjoying spring working its way into summer?

[Kathy in Alaska]

[left that other site]

Didn’t ride today...torrential rains.

But I try to get in a little ride each day. Tomorrow looks promising...

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...quiet weekend? Any son time? Working weekend for me.

[The Mayor]

June 10

Every Moment Counts

Bible in a Year :

• 2 Chronicles 34-36
• John 19:1-22

Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist.

2 Timothy 4:5 When the Titanic hit an iceberg in April 1912, Pastor John Harper secured a spot for his six-year-old daughter in one of the limited number of lifeboats. He gave his life-vest to a fellow passenger and shared the gospel with anyone who would listen. As the vessel sank and hundreds of people awaited an unlikely rescue, Harper swam from one person to another and said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31 kjv).

During a meeting for survivors of the Titanic in Ontario, Canada, one man referred to himself as “the last convert of John Harper.” Having rejected Harper’s first invitation, the man received Christ when the preacher asked him again. He watched as Harper devoted the last moments of his life to sharing Jesus before succumbing to hypothermia and sinking below the surface of the icy water.

In his charge to Timothy, the apostle Paul encourages a similar urgency and dedication to selfless evangelism. Affirming God’s constant presence and the inevitable return of Jesus, Paul charges Timothy to preach with patience and precision (2 Timothy 4:1-2). The apostle reminds the young preacher to remain focused, though some people will reject Jesus (vv. 3-5).

Our days are limited, so every moment counts. We can be confident that our Father secured our spot in heaven as we proclaim, “Jesus saves!”

Reflect & Pray

How does knowing your days are limited increase your urgency to share the good news of Jesus’ love? How will you reach out to others today?

Jesus, please give me opportunities to share Your love with others.

[radu]

Greetings to all at the Canteen!

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

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Have you managed to take a little break to sit on the deck this afternoon or is the wind a deterrent? Looks pretty blustery.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.

Prayers continue for you to be feeling better. ODAAT (one day at a time)

[luvie]

Sgt 1st Class Lawrence Joel
February 22, 1928 - February 4, 1984
Served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
While serving in Vietnam as a medic
He received the Silver Star and the Medal of Honor
for heroism in a battle with the Viet Cong
on November 8, 1965.
What a brave hero he was! RIP......

[MoochPooch]

Evening, Kathy!

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Very brave, indeed! Many lives were saved due to his actions.

I hope your day was good.

[luvie]

Hey there, radu!

It was an ok day. It was very hot of course, but then we had a bit of thunder and 5 or 6 sprinkles and now it’s a lovely 74.

How were things over your way?

[radu]

Too bad you didn’t get more than a sprinkle. At least you got a nice cool-down for the night out of the deal.

It was a sauna here this afternoon after this morning’s rain. Just had a little more rain come through with a cold front that will keep us comfy for a couple of days.

[Kathy in Alaska]

No time to sit out, and not much sun, but I did take time to hang out with the ducks.
Momma came with 4...she had to keep chasing away others that got too close.

[radu]

It’s too bad the clouds moved back in and you didn’t have sunshine to enjoy while you hung out with the ducks. It was so pretty earlier in the day.

Still fun to hang out with all the ducks for a bit. Glad Momma brought the babies back today so you know she still has the four. They’re so darn cute and they’re growing fast.