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
-Jim
He stood as others dream to stand;
He spoke as others dared not even think;
From soul deep faith, he drew his courage,
his granite spirit, his ironclad will.
The Alien force, applied with hate,
could not break him, failed to bend him;
Though solitary imprisonment gave him no friends,
he drew upon his inner self to create a force so strong
that those who sought to destroy his will, met an army his to command.
I stand in awe of people like James Rowe, Duane Frederic and others who have been in this for the long haul.
Their honorable and viruous efforts, sustained over decades, are what has made this possible and to me are awe inspiring and legend ... not to mention the esteem and honor I hold for Rocky. God bless them each and every one and God rest Rocky's and James' souls.
Isn't Rocky Versace the POW whose bracelet Pat Buchanan wore?
I intend to make the trip when it is held next spring if I can.
Now, finally, at long last, his MOH nomination/recomendation has been re-instituted, approved and Congress has voted to award it ... it just awaits the President's signature now.
BUMP for Rocky, BUMP for Courage, BUMP for Valor, BUMP for Duty, BUMP for Honor! ... may we never forget.
It is SO good to see this happening ... there isn't anyone more deserving and we need to have these examples for all of us, particularly our youth, so they can KNOW what a true hero and what true courage, commitment, honor and patriotism is all about.
I have taught my kids about him and his ilk and pray that we can stand in our turn whenever called upon.
I hope to be back there in DC when this is accomplished and I hope to bring my two boys with me.
I am humbled by those who have been involved with this many, mnay years longer than I and in much more detail ... and very grateful to see Rocky getting this recoognition ... grateful for his memory and what it will mean to it ... and even more grateful that we will have this icon to point our youth to whenever they want to know what true herosim, courage and valor are really all about.
If you have never heard of him or his story, I hope you enjoy it. Watch the on-line move that is linked ... it is as good a place to start as any.
Merry Christmas.
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.