.. www.LzXray.com ..
.. www.WeWereSodiersFILM.com ..
NEVER FORGET
The longer the FReepathon lasts, the longer you'll see me! Oh the horror! Donate now. Do it 'for the children.'
LET'S ROLL!
It has come to my attention that your office may be negligent in processing a Medal of Honor recommendation for Lieutenant Colonel (R) Bruce Crandall that was being reviewed by you predecessor, Senator Gorton. In case you are somehow unfamiliar with LTC Crandall, he is the Army officer and aviator who, in November, 1965, was flying helicopter support for the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division in the battle of Ia Drang Valley of (then) South Vietnam. LTC (then Captain) Crandall's exploits during the battle of LZ X-Ray are legendary among Army Aviators. He exposed himself and his crews to withering enemy fire on at least 22 seperate occasions during this pitched battle in order to re-supply the unit and save the lives of wounded soldiers.
The fact that 1-7 Cav survived the horrendous onslaught of North Vietnamese Army units are due in large part to LTC Crandall's selflessness, courage and endurance during the battle for LZ X-Ray. His actions are described in detail in the book "We Were Soldiers Once, and Young". This is a first hand account of the battle for the Ia Drang Valley by Lieutenant General Hal Moore (R), the battalion commander of 1-7 Cav during the battle, and Joe Galloway, a pulitzer prize winning journalist and war correspondent who was also present at LZ X-Ray. I invite you to read the accounts of LTC Crandall's heroism in this book.
I also invite you to view the film based on this book that is currently showing nationwide. It is a gripping account of that battle and all who fought in it, including LTC Crandall.
Ronnie, this is the message I sent to Senator Cantwell's office. I ran out of space to finish it but I'm confident she'll get the message about LTC Crandall. I also recommend contacting the Vietnam Helicopter Pilot's Association and the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA). They can have a big impact on getting Senator Crandall and her staff off the bubble. Let me know if there's anything else I can do.
TADSLOS Army Aviator 1985-2001
FREEMAN, ED W.
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress,
March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to
CAPTAIN ED W. FREEMAN
UNITED STATES ARMY
for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:
Captain Ed W. Freeman, United States Army, distinguished himself by numerous acts of conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary intrepidity on 14 November 1965 while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). As a flight leader and second in command of a 16-helicopter lift unit, he supported a heavily engaged American infantry battalion at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam. The unit was almost out of ammunition after taking some of the heaviest casualties of the war, fighting off a relentless attack from a highly motivated, heavily armed enemy force. When the infantry commander closed the helicopter landing zone due to intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his own life by flying his unarmed helicopter through a gauntlet of enemy fire time after time, delivering critically needed ammunition, water and medical supplies to the besieged battalion. His flights had a direct impact on the battle's outcome by providing the engaged units with timely supplies of ammunition critical to their survival, without which they would almost surely have gone down, with much greater loss of life. After medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the area due to intense enemy fire, Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing life-saving evacuation of an estimated 30 seriously wounded soldiers -- some of whom would not have survived had he not acted. All flights were made into a small emergency landing zone within 100 to 200 meters of the defensive perimeter where heavily committed units were perilously holding off the attacking elements. Captain Freeman's selfless acts of great valor, extraordinary perseverance and intrepidity were far above and beyond the call of duty or mission and set a superb example of leadership and courage for all of his peers. Captain Freeman's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
A long time in coming but good news was recently announced by Hal Moore at the VFW National Conference in Reno, NV
mdcrandall (Proud to be #3 Son of Snake)
http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.newsDtl&did=3573
Award Recipients Recognized
After receiving VFW’s Armed Forces Award, retired Army Lt. Gen. Hal Moore announced that Bruce Crandall will receive the Medal of Honor (MOH). Moore credited Crandall, a Huey helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, with saving many lives by continuing to fly in and out during the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley, Nov. 14-16, 1965.
