FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Gordon Douglas Yntema ~ 13 April 26

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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.

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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.

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; heroes; military; troopsupport

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Prayers for the troops! They are on my heart a lot more lately. God bless. <3

[PROCON]

What an incredible man! Thanks for tonight’s Canteen and for honoring this brave Hero, Kathy!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evenng, CondoleezzaProtege...thank you so much. Prayers are something we can do during these important times.

[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]

~ Hall of Heroes: Gordon Douglas Yntema ~

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[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...he was indeed an incredible soldier.

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Another gloomy day up there with more snow. *sigh* At least what fell yesterday has melted on the pavement and rooftops. One plus.

[radu]

Howdy, PRO.

Did you have good weekend? Have some game time with your son?

[PROCON]

Hiya radu, good weekend, son’s over now for dinner and gaming, hope your upcoming week goes well!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...did you and Champ have a good day?

I woke up to about 3” of snow on the deck. None has stuck to the street, but it has been snowing off and on all day.
Right now huge flakes are coming down, but it’s not sticking to the deck or street.

[Kathy in Alaska]

CondoleezzaProtege!!

1st!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Pro!!

2nd!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

radu!!

3rd!!

[luvie]

Gordon Douglas Yntema
June 26, 1945 - January 18, 1968
United States Army soldier
and Medal of Honor recipient,
for his actions in the Vietnam War.
What a brave hero he was.
He sacrificed his ALL for you and me.
I can't honor him enough.....

[radu]

Cool! Sounds like y’all have a fun evening ahead.

The week ahead should be fun. Early voting for local and state primaries start this week and the Republican women’s group will have our tent set up at the polling place. That’s always a lot of fun, meeting and chatting with the people who stop by. Reeeeeeeally looking forward to it, even though it means getting up a bit early every day.

Hope your week is a good one!

[CondoleezzaProtege]

The heroic sergeant was so young. May his family and descendants be blessed beyond measure wherever they may be!

This song is from a bit after the Vietnam Era, but the canteen made me think of Pat Benatar’s “Shadows of the Night” music video, where Pat pays tribute to WWII commando pilots.

“Shadows of the Night” - Pat Benatar (1982)
https://youtu.be/ZInRE-KryGA?si=OV9x0vI2lEb6ziqf

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[radu]

Yep, Champ and I tackled the grass areas along the driveway but didn’t finish. It was so windy today and put it off, hoping the wind would calm down. It didn’t so I just went for it and it took longer than expected. Got most done but still have a decent stretch to finish up tomorrow.

Sounds like you got more snow than they did out by the airports. The snow there stuck to the pavement and rooftops but by a little after noon, that had melted. More snow an hour or so ago with big flakes and now nothing’s falling. Radar shows heavier stuff over your side of town but not for much longer.

Looks so cold. BRRRRR

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

Is the weather behaving and staying comfy?

Temps were up today but it was very windy and that made it feel almost cool.