FReeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Fred William Zabitosky ~ August 26, 2013

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[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.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States
Armed Forces Today!

---

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Fred William Zabitosky
Info from here.

           

Fred William Zabitosky (October 27, 1942 – January 18, 1996) 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.

Zabitosky joined the Army from his birth city of Trenton, New Jersey in 1959, and by February 19, 1968 was serving as a Staff Sergeant with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). On that day, while on reconnaissance patrol in Laos, his small team came under intense enemy fire. Zabitosky directed the defense until rescue helicopters arrived, and when the helicopter that was to extract him from the battlefield crashed, he ignored his own injuries to save the downed craft's pilot. Zabitosky was later promoted to Sergeant First Class and, in 1969, was presented with the Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon. He retired from the Army after 30 years of service with the rank of Master Sergeant.

Zabitosky, aged 53 at his death, was buried in Lumbee Memorial Park, Lumberton, North Carolina. A street, the former Community Access Road, on nearby Fort Bragg was named in his honor.

Sergeant First Class Zabitosky's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sfc. Zabitosky, U.S. Army, distinguished himself while serving as an assistant team leader of a 9-man Special Forces long-range reconnaissance patrol. Sfc. Zabitosky's patrol was operating deep within enemy-controlled territory when they were attacked by a numerically superior North Vietnamese Army unit. Sfc. Zabitosky rallied his team members, deployed them into defensive positions, and, exposing himself to concentrated enemy automatic weapons fire, directed their return fire. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Sfc. Zabitosky ordered his patrol to move to a landing zone for helicopter extraction while he covered their withdrawal with rifle fire and grenades. Rejoining the patrol under increasing enemy pressure, he positioned each man in a tight perimeter defense and continually moved from man to man, encouraging them and controlling their defensive fire. Mainly due to his example, the outnumbered patrol maintained its precarious position until the arrival of tactical air support and a helicopter extraction team. As the rescue helicopters arrived, the determined North Vietnamese pressed their attack. Sfc. Zabitosky repeatedly exposed himself to their fire to adjust suppressive helicopter gunship fire around the landing zone. After boarding 1 of the rescue helicopters, he positioned himself in the door delivering fire on the enemy as the ship took off. The helicopter was engulfed in a hail of bullets and Sfc. Zabitosky was thrown from the craft as it spun out of control and crashed. Recovering consciousness, he ignored his extremely painful injuries and moved to the flaming wreckage. Heedless of the danger of exploding ordnance and fuel, he pulled the severely wounded pilot from the searing blaze and made repeated attempts to rescue his patrol members but was driven back by the intense heat. Despite his serious burns and crushed ribs, he carried and dragged the unconscious pilot through a curtain of enemy fire to within 10 feet of a hovering rescue helicopter before collapsing. Sfc. Zabitosky's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

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! 

[Chode]

RIP

[ConorMacNessa]

Will do, Kathy! We have some pics which I'll get uploaded as soon as I can.

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[BIGLOOK]

Honoring Our Fallen

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP

MSG George A Bannar, Jr USA
3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group

Amazing Grace

[left that other site]

Hi ConorMac!

The Biker Ministry which I’ve attended for the last 2 Sundays has appointed me the Music Director.

This should be interesting.

[ConorMacNessa]

Actually, I do have a couple ready - here's one:



John Man and 1st Sgt. Stringfellow - Commandant.

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

And another:


Proud Dad and John-Man

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[ConorMacNessa]

Excellent, ML!

Just asking - what does the Biker Ministry do?

Whatever the answer, with you as Music Director I'm sure they'll give much Glory to God!

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, mountainlion.

We are the land of the free because of the brave.

Something we must all remember!!

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Biglook! It is some time since we have spoken. Are you still in Hawaii? I'd certainly like to chat with you on phone again, but I've lost your number.

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

[Old Sarge]

Good Evening, Canteeners, Troops, and All the Ships at Sea!

Some heroic music from our golden age is needed here tonight, and I have just the selection:

The Sea Hawk - 1940 (Erich Wolfgang Korngold)

You CANNOT fail to have that feeling of rising to your feet and shouting "Hooray, the Hero has arrived!"

[luvie]

Thanks, galz, for another story of one of our American heroes...and one that died too soon! God rest his soul.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac, for the Missing Man Setting as we remember those who have given their all that we may gather safe and secure.

[ConorMacNessa]

"You CANNOT fail to have that feeling of rising to your feet and shouting 'Hooray, the Hero has arrived!'"

Of course, Old Sarge! I get that feeling every time you enter the Canteen!

Standing at Attention!

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Doc!

On the phone right now but would like to talk o you. tell me good tme...on the QT.

[left that other site]

Well, the owner of a local Biker Bar, Dave, had a dreadful accident, and has been in a coma ever since. A local Biker (who attended Knox Seminary) began a Prayer group for Dave behind the bar in an awning-covered deck. In the 81 weeks since the accident, the prayer group has turned into a “Biker Church” with Wonderful expository Bible preaching by Jerry, the Pastor.I started going there three weeks ago, because I felt I might fit in nicely with Bikers (most of whom feel the same way about politics as FReepers). The preaching and teaching are excellent, BUT there wasn’t any music. I mentioned that I play bass and sing, and two other guys play drums and guitar.
We had our first rehearsal today after the service, and played for THREE HOURS.

Afterwards, Jerry asked me to be the Music Director, so here we go! We will be playing next Sunday.

The attendance is between 20-40 people, and although most of the folks are SERIOUS Bikers, they are really on Fire for The Lord.

A lot of “outcasts” have come to the LORD in the short 81-week life of this ministry, and i am thrilled to be a part of it! :-)

[ConorMacNessa]

That's fantastic, ML! What kind of music will you employ in your liturgies?

America demands Justice for the Fallen of Benghazi!

Genuflectimus non ad principem sed ad Principem Pacis!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[left that other site]

Mostly Country Gospel...Old School.

The First three Songs we have ready are Amazing Grace, Nothing But The Blood of Jesus, and Will the Circle be Unbroken.

I haven’t the heart to tell these fine Southern Boys I’m from BAWSTON! LOL!

[Old Sarge]

Oh, and as an "Oops-I-Forgot-To-Mention" Department memo, here we go...

THE BRIDE'S BIRTHDAY WAS SATURDAY.

The Bride got lavished with attention, food, goodies, beach fun, and food. There was good company, food, adult beverages and handmade cake after a cast-iron-grilled feast.

Oh, and did I mention food?

I'm talking shrimp in cast-iron, sauteed veggies on cast iron, drumsticks deep-fried in cast-iron, and copious amounts of adult beverages of at least seven different kinds (but not in cast-iron).

The only problem was, the beach soiree saw every member of the party coming down with sun poisoning. We were a wretched band come the next morning. The worst ones were Jailbait and Sarge himself: Jailbait because of her half-Irish fair skin, and Sarge due to his running with Fearghus The Wonder Puppy up and down the beach.

Pics, if I can find them...