FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Jon R. Cavaiani ~ 02 November

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[Kathy in Alaska]

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~ Hall of Heroes ~

Jon R. Cavaiani

Info from here.

           

Jon Robert Cavaiani (August 2, 1943 - July 29, 2014) is a retired 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.

Born in Ireland, Cavaiani emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1947 at age four. Though initially classified 4F, due in part to a severe allergy to bee stings, Cavaiani joined the Army from Fresno, California, shortly before becoming a naturalized citizen in 1968.

He was sent to Vietnam in 1970 with the Special Forces and by June 4, 1971 was serving as a Staff Sergeant in the Vietnam Training Advisory Group. On that day, in the Republic of Vietnam, his platoon came under intense enemy attack. Cavaiani organized the unit's defense and, when evacuation by helicopter became necessary, he voluntarily stayed on the ground and directed the aircraft, which successfully evacuated most of the platoon. Cavaiani and a small group were left behind. During a major enemy attack the next morning, he ordered the remaining men to escape while he stayed and provided suppressive fire to cover their retreat. He was captured and spent the next two years as a prisoner of war.

Jon R. Cavaiani was released by the Provisional Government of Vietnam on April 27, 1973.

 

Staff Sergeant Cavaiani's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

S/Sgt. Cavaiani distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 and 5 June 1971 while serving as a platoon leader to a security platoon providing security for an isolated radio relay site located within enemy-held territory. On the morning of 4 June 1971, the entire camp came under an intense barrage of enemy small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire from a superior size enemy force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani acted with complete disregard for his personal safety as he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to move about the camp's perimeter directing the platoon's fire and rallying the platoon in a desperate fight for survival. S/Sgt. Cavaiani also returned heavy suppressive fire upon the assaulting enemy force during this period with a variety of weapons. When the entire platoon was to be evacuated, S/Sgt. Cavaiani unhesitatingly volunteered to remain on the ground and direct the helicopters into the landing zone. S/Sgt. Cavaiani was able to direct the first 3 helicopters in evacuating a major portion of the platoon. Due to intense increase in enemy fire, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was forced to remain at the camp overnight where he calmly directed the remaining platoon members in strengthening their defenses. On the morning of 5 June, a heavy ground fog restricted visibility. The superior size enemy force launched a major ground attack in an attempt to completely annihilate the remaining small force. The enemy force advanced in 2 ranks, first firing a heavy volume of small arms automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire while the second rank continuously threw a steady barrage of hand grenades at the beleaguered force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani returned a heavy barrage of small arms and hand grenade fire on the assaulting enemy force but was unable to slow them down. He ordered the remaining platoon members to attempt to escape while he provided them with cover fire. With 1 last courageous exertion, S/Sgt. Cavaiani recovered a machine gun, stood up, completely exposing himself to the heavy enemy fire directed at him, and began firing the machine gun in a sweeping motion along the 2 ranks of advancing enemy soldiers. Through S/Sgt. Cavaiani's valiant efforts with complete disregard for his safety, the majority of the remaining platoon members were able to escape. While inflicting severe losses on the advancing enemy force, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was wounded numerous times. S/Sgt. Cavaiani's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

President Gerald Ford presented Cavaiani with the medal during a ceremony on December 12, 1974. Cavaiani later reached the rank of sergeant major before retiring from the Army in 1996.

 

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! 

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

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[left that other site]

Hi Everybody!

(((HUGS)))

[PROCON]

Thanks for honoring tonight's Hero, Kathy, a real badass!

Son's over for eats & treats, see ya later.

[Kathy in Alaska]

~ Hall of Heroes: Jon R Cavaiani ~

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[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]

Good evening, ML...((HUGS))...did you and Blue get some together time? Cold?

Sprinkles all day here, but with a little blue sky in between.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Pro...we must remember.

Have fun hanging with your son. Not too many treats. LOL!

[ExTexasRedhead]

251st Marine Corps Birthday Message

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UxJ1RuJjSM

https://www.youtube.com/@marines

For 251 years, Marines have stood ready to fight and win our Nation’s battles. Since before the first days of the American Revolution to the engagements of today, the Marine Corps has served as a decisive naval and amphibious force, projecting power, defending our interests, and helping turn the tide in conflicts around the world.

Across every clime and place, Marines remain ready to be the first to fight whenever and wherever our Nation needs them. As America’s 9-1-1 force, the Marine Corps continues to set the standard for readiness, resolve, and warfighting excellence.

Semper Fidelis & Happy Birthday, Marines!

[ExTexasRedhead]

251st Marine Corps Birthday Message

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UxJ1RuJjSM

https://www.youtube.com/@marines

For 251 years, Marines have stood ready to fight and win our Nation’s battles. Since before the first days of the American Revolution to the engagements of today, the Marine Corps has served as a decisive naval and amphibious force, projecting power, defending our interests, and helping turn the tide in conflicts around the world.

Across every clime and place, Marines remain ready to be the first to fight whenever and wherever our Nation needs them. As America’s 9-1-1 force, the Marine Corps continues to set the standard for readiness, resolve, and warfighting excellence.

Semper Fidelis & Happy Birthday, Marines!

[ExTexasRedhead]

251st Marine Corps Birthday Message

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UxJ1RuJjSM

https://www.youtube.com/@marines

For 251 years, Marines have stood ready to fight and win our Nation’s battles. Since before the first days of the American Revolution to the engagements of today, the Marine Corps has served as a decisive naval and amphibious force, projecting power, defending our interests, and helping turn the tide in conflicts around the world.

Across every clime and place, Marines remain ready to be the first to fight whenever and wherever our Nation needs them. As America’s 9-1-1 force, the Marine Corps continues to set the standard for readiness, resolve, and warfighting excellence.

Semper Fidelis & Happy Birthday, Marines!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, radu...any rain yet?

Sprinkles here most of the day, but blue sky a couple times.

Every other post is timing out...my FR is snail slow, and has been.

[radu]

Howdy, Kathy.

Hope you’ve had some R&R this weekend.

Nice to see the wind finally calmed down up there. I imagine pilots are very happy after all the rockin’ and rollin’ during landings over the weekend.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[radu]

Yes, we had rain today. Not heavy and we didn’t get much but any’s better than none.

The rain must have stayed over on your side of town today. None at the airports. I did see some of the blue patches of sky you saw.
The lake is almost like glass this evening after being VERY choppy all weekend.

I won’t be at FR much tonight. I’m honestly not in the mood for waiting 10 minutes to be able to post. This is getting beyond ridiculous, having gone on for so long.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hello Veterans, wherever you are!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

I agree...the timeouts and slowness is most annoying. Enjoy your evening. I’m going to start laundry and finish my work for tomorrow.

[luvie]

Jon Robert Cavaiani
August 2, 1943 [Ireland] - July 29, 2014
Retired United States Army Soldier
Medal of Honor Recipient
for actions in the Vietnam War.
His bravery should always be remembered!

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Kathy in Alaska]