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
...I'll refer the CRANDALL Family to your great Letter to the new Washington State Senator thru the TV Program Schedule Thread in ..'The Movie'.. Discussion Forum Section of ..'WE WERE SOLDIERS'.. website:
.. www.WeWereSoldlirsFILM.com ..
...and Thank You on behalf of a True American Hero ...BRUCE "Snake" CRANDALL.
...should NEVER be a matter of politics =
..."Misplaced Papers" ..Right...?
...I was blessed last night to have had the opportunity on Radio FR to share this Situation to our many Freeper Activists on FreeRepublic.com.
...We beat CONDIT this week. We'll win this one too.