Posted on 12/21/2001 6:30:52 AM PST by Jeff Head
There is a REAL American Hero, Captain Rocky Versace, who deserves a Medal of Honor. His actions while fighting the Viet Cong in Vietnam and then after his capture are the stuff that heroes, role models and legends are made of.
A number of us on FR, along with a great number of his compatriots in the Armed Services, have been pushing, lobbying and seeking for years that this man be presented the MOH he so richly deserves. Here is an earlier thread from early 2000 regarding the same:
Rocky Versace, A Real American Hero who deserves a Medal of Honor
I just spoke this morning a short while ago to Duane E. Frederic who wrote the:
MEDAL OF HONOR RECOMENDATION STAFF STUDY FOR ROCKY
and I am PROUD to say that a citiation has been recommended and approved and that the legislation enabling the MOH for Rocky has just passed the House and Senate and is in the Defense Appropriation legislation going to the Presidents desk for signature!
Barring a veto (and we should all write the President specifically over this issue to urge him to sign the legislation) there should be a ceremony this spring for ROcky, 39 years after the fact.
Here is the CITATION wording:
Here are important links regarding Rocky:The President of the United States of America in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor posthumously to: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while a prisoner of war during the period of 29 October 1963 to 26 September 1965 in the Republic of Vietnam.CAPTAIN HUMBERT ROQUE VERSACE
UNITED STATES ARMYCITATION:
While accompanying a Civilian Irregular Defense Group patrol engaged in combat operations in Thoi Binh District, An Xuyen Province, Republic of Vietnam on 29 October 1963, Captain Versace and the CIDG assault force were caught in an ambush from intense mortar, automatic weapons, and small arms fire from elements of a reinforced enemy Main Force battalion. As the battle raged, Captain Versace fought valiantly and encouraged his CIDG patrol to return fire against overwhelming enemy forces. He provided covering fire from an exposed position to enable friendly forces to withdraw from the killing zone when it was apparent that their position would be overrun, and was severely wounded in the knee and back from automatic weapons fire and shrapnel. He stubbornly resisted capture with the last full measure of his strength and ammunition.
Taken prisoner by the Viet Cong, he demonstrated exceptional leadership and resolute adherence to the tenants of the Code of Conduct from the time he entered into a prisoner of war status. Captain Versace assumed command of his fellow American prisoners, and despite being kept locked in irons in an isolation box, raised their morale by singing messages to popular songs of the day, and leaving inspiring messages at the latrine. Within three weeks of captivity, and despite the severity of his untreated wounds, he attempted the first of four escape attempts by dragging himself on his hands and knees out of the camp through dense swamp and forbidding vegetation to freedom. Crawling at a very slow pace due to his weakened condition, the guards quickly discovered him outside the camp and recaptured him. Captain Versace scorned the enemy’s exhaustive interrogation and indoctrination efforts, and inspired his fellow prisoners to resist to the best of their ability.
When he used his Vietnamese language skills to protest improper treatment of the American prisoners by the guards, he was put into leg irons and gagged to keep his protestations out of earshot of the other American prisoners in the camp. The last time that any of his fellow prisoners heard from him, Captain Versace was singing God Bless America at the top of his voice from his isolation box. Unable to break his indomitable will, his faith in God, and his trust in the United States of America and his fellow prisoners, Captain Versace was executed by the Viet Cong on 26 September 1965.
Captain Versace’s extraordinary heroism, self-sacrifice, and personal bravery involving conspicuous risk of life above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army, and reflect great credit to himself and the U.S. Armed Forces.
A SOLDIERS STORY - A FILM ABOUT ROCKY [20 Minute online, Requires RealPlayer]
MEDAL OF HONOR RECOMMENDATION STAFF STUDY
ALEXANDRIA VIETNAM MEMORIAL AND CAPTAIN ROCKY VERSACE PLAZA
Once again, on FR we were able to get the word out quickly. I hope many more publications pick it up and spread the word.
Rocky's story simply must be told and gotten to as large an audience as possible.
For Rocky and his long overdue recognition.
For Rocky and his long overdue recognition.
It will finally come to pass this spring.
Jeff,let's not forget the efforts of CSM Franklin Miller (ret) and LTC Robert Howard (ret),both Medal of Honor winners themselves who worked long and hard to see that Rocky gets his. Both spent money out of their own pockets,and visited with politicians in DC to help push this effort forward. Sadly,my good friend Miller is now dead himself,but last I heard Bob was still alive and kicking. I hope he feels well enough to make the ceremony. I'm confident he will be there is he is able to attend.
Thanks for educating me on Miller and Howard and their work here. I have great respect for all involved.
Captain Humbert R. "Rocky†Versace has been awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. On Dec. 20, 2000 then Army Secretary Louis Caldera approved the Medal. On Jan. 12, 2001 former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Henry Shelton signed off on the authorization, sending it to Congress. The final Medal legislation, SR1438, was amended to the Defense Reauthorization Bill. President Bush will award the Medal of Honor to Versace's family this year!
Since the bill has officially passed congress now, the only question left to answer is ... When will the award ceremony be held?
I am hoping that it is soon. Sometime this spring.
God bless and rest Rocky, God bless and rest his mother ... and God bless and rest Colonel Nick Row who was true and faithful to Rocky, his duty and his country until the very end.
Me,too. Rumor control has it that there were some possible MOH actions related to recovering the body of that SEAL,and I am thinking Bubba-2 might wait and award Rocky's along with at least one more. Both were SF,and it ties the fight against communist terrorism into the fight with Islamic terrorism. Whatever the reason and whenever it happens,I'm going to try to do my best to be there.
Bunny? How about you and Billie getting this word out to the usual suspects in your USO threads?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.