Posted on 07/19/2009 8:02:33 AM PDT by SandRat
FORT HUACHUCA — One island-hopped during World War II fighting the Japanese.
Another slugged it out with the Viet Cong in Vietnam.
Both were wounded.
On Saturday, former Pfc. James Gann, 85, and former Spc. 4th Class Frederick Golladay, 59, finally received their Purple Heart Medals, with Gann also being presented a Bronze Star Medal and Golladay an Air Medal.
It was past time for the two men to be honored, Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords said in Fitch Auditorium, where a number of younger soldiers watched the ceremony at Fort Huachuca.
“I am honored to be on the post today to present two warriors with their long-overdue medals,” said the Arizona 8th Congressional District representative.
Looking across the stage to where the two men sat, Giffords said, “Mr. Gann and Mr. Golladay, you served our nation with distinction, and today we are finally giving you the public recognition you so richly deserve for your bravery and your service.”
Presenting medals to veterans is one of the most solemn duties she performs, Giffords said.
Gann and Golladay were called to the center of the stage, where Giffords and Garrison Commander Col. Timothy Faulkner presented each of them their medals.
To long, loud applause, the two veterans embraced.
Of the two men, Faulkner said, honoring veterans is a way a nation’s people and its military express thanks.
He noted that a few months ago, former Buffalo Soldier and Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. Isiah Mays’ cremains passed through the fort on their way to a long overdue and proper burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
“When he died in 1925, he was simply buried. No honors, no recognition and no ‘thank you’ for his service to this great nation,” the colonel remarked.
It took years for Mays to receive his proper burial, and it took a long time for Gann and Golladay to be recognized, as well, Faulkner said.
To the two, he said: “Let me be the first to tell you our nation will never forget the sacrifice embodied in you.”
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THE HONOREES
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James Gann
Calling Gann a member of the greatest generation, an accolade long given to those who served during World War II, U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords said that while serving in the Pacific Theater, the former soldier was a member of the Allied forces that pushed the Japanese across the world’s largest ocean, island-hopping along a route of “many small and now long-forgotten pieces of rock” until reaching the “doorstep of the Imperial Japanese Empire.”
One island that had to be taken by Gann and his fellow soldiers of the 182nd Infantry Regiment, of the Americal Division, was Bougainville in the Solomon Islands.
The reality of the war was learned firsthand, the congresswoman said.
“He never sought fanfare or accolades. But he deserved them ... and today, on behalf of a grateful nation, we publicly say, ‘thank you’ for your service,” she said.
His service
He was born Feb. 23, 1924, in Gallatin, Mo.
He enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1942 and was called to active duty in 1943.
Besides the Purple Heart Medal and Bronze Star Medal he received Saturday, his other decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Japan clasp, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal.
His reaction
At Saturday’s ceremony, Gann said he was glad to still be alive to receive the medals. But perhaps most telling, a short, simple and significant comment, was: “I’m very proud to have served my country.”
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Frederick Golladay
When it comes to Golladay, “He served in a different place and a different time” from World War II veteran James Gann, said U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
The war in Vietnam was one that divided the United States, she said.
“Too often, the sacrifices or our warriors there were lost in the politics and civil unrest of the 1960s and ’70s,” the congresswoman said.
Saturday was not the time “to rehash past debates but to reward the selfless sacrifice too often concealed by past rancor,” Giffords said.
The daily threats were many, but “Mr. Golladay faced those threats every day,” she said. For many years since then, the former Vietnam War veteran has advocated on behalf of his fellow veterans.
One person Golladay helped was Jerry Patterson. Thanks to Golladay, Patterson eventually received a Purple Heart for wounds he suffered in Vietnam.
Patterson would later present his buddy — they both served in Company B, 1st Battalion of the 22nd Infantry of the 4th Infantry Division — a special gift.
Patterson said he contacted a number of former company members and they sent e-mail notes, which Patterson had put into a special book for Golladay.
After the ceremony, Golladay said receiving the comments from his former company buddies was not only a surprise but also an honor.
His service
He was born on Feb. 25 1950, in Battle Creek, Mich.
He was drafted in 1968 and arrived in Vietnam in June 1969.
Besides the Purple Heart Medal and Air Medal presented to him Saturday, his other decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
His reaction
At Saturday’s event, Golladay said it was overwhelming to be in the presence of a veteran older than he and to look out in the audience and see today’s young men and women serve in the Army. Those who have served, are now serving and will serve in the future “are comrades in arms,” he said.
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Herald/Review senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
My daddy was a ww2 vet came home with a scar from
his right shoulder to below his left hip.
He`d have been 94 in a month tomorrow
Thing I remember about VN grunts when I saw them,their
boots were so rotten they falling apart. Tough job
Good post man,long overdue award ceremony for good men
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