TRUE AMERICAN HEROES On this Day, November 14th In 1965, Ed Freemans actions earned him the Medal of Honor. Remembering Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman The story of a helicopter pilot, Major Ed Freeman, who flew his unarmed Huey into to the battle zone during the Viet Nam War multiple times to supply troops and evacuate wounded personnel after the MediVac helicopters were ordered to stop evacuations. This act of courage earned Major Freeman the Flying Cross and decades later, the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was a veteran not only of Viet Nam, but of World War II and Korea. He was the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions on November 14, 1965, at Landing Zone X-Ray, in the Ia Drang Valley of Vietnam. During the Vietnam War Freeman served as a helicopter pilot with the rank of Captain in US Armys Company A, 229th, Assault Helicopter Battalion, First Cavalry Division Air Mobil. On November 14th, 1965, a US battalion was surrounded by the enemy. In the heat of the battle when all hope was lost, an unarmed helicopter came to their aid, bringing water, much needed supplies and ammunition. According to survivors of the battle the unarmed Huey returned more than 21 times with supplies, evacuating the wounded each trip. That day, more than 70 soldiers were flown to safety by Captain Freeman. Freeman was decorated with the distinguished Flying Cross for his act of bravery but for decades those who survived this battle felt that a higher honor should be awarded to the helicopter pilot. On July 16, 2001, Congress awarded the Medal of Honor to Freeman with the persuasion of Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Crandall, other survivors who were rescued by Freeman, and Senator John McCain. That day, Freeman and his wife, Barbara, were invited to the White House where President George W. Bush presented the Congressional Medal of honor before witnesses consisting of Vice President Cheney, the secretary of defense, secretary of veterans affairs, the joint chiefs as well as members of the Joint Chiefs, Senator John McCain, Senator Craig, Congressman Otter, and Congressman Simpson from the delegation of Idaho. On August 20, 2008, Major Ed Freeman passed away from complications of Parkinsons disease at the age of 80 and was laid to rest at the Veterans Cemetery in Idaho, where he settled. In March of 2009, the United States Congress bestowed one more honor to Major Freeman. They designated the US Post Office in his place of birth McLain, Mississippi, the Major Ed W. Freeman Post Office. Freemans official Medal of Honor citation reads: 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 battles 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 Freemans 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 Freemans 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.[6] Military awards After receiving the Medal of Honor, Ed Freeman was inducted into the Pentagons Hall of Heroes on July 17, 2001. Army Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki (left) officiated and was assisted by Sergeant Major of the Army Jack Tilley (right). His awards include: US Army Master Aviator Badge.png Master Army Aviator Badge Medal of Honor ribbon.svg Medal of Honor Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star ribbon.svg Bronze Star with Combat V Purple Heart BAR.svg Purple Heart Air Medal ribbon.svg Air Medal with three silver oak leaf clusters and one bronze oak leaf cluster Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg Army Commendation Medal Army Good Conduct ribbon.svg Army Good Conduct Medal American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg American Area Campaign Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon.svg Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation ribbon.svg Army of Occupation Medal National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star KSMRib.svg Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars Vietnam Service Ribbon.svg Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars ResMedRib.svg Armed Forces Reserve Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal Ribbon.png Vietnam Campaign Medal 103 West Main Street in McLain, Mississippi, as the Major Ed W. Freeman Post Office. McLain was the hometown of Ed Freeman, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War who passed away in August 2008: It is extremely fitting that we should name a federal building after Major Ed Freeman, Congressman Mike Simpson said. It is an honor to have known him, and all Americans should be honored that he served our country and defend her in the manner in which he did. The bill to designate the post office in Freemans honor passed the U.S. House unanimously with a final vote of 384-0. Freeman was a Mississippi native, and the Post Office that was renamed is located in his hometown. Read more at snopes/politics/military/freeman.asp#kFg5H1j0t3mCtT5d.99 103 West Main Street in McLain, Mississippi, as the Major Ed W. Freeman Post Office. McLain was the hometown of Ed Freeman, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War who passed away in August 2008: It is extremely fitting that we should name a federal building after Major Ed Freeman, Congressman Mike Simpson said. It is an honor to have known him, and all Americans should be honored that he served our country and defend her in the manner in which he did. The bill to designate the post office in Freemans honor passed the U.S. House unanimously with a final vote of 384-0. Freeman was a Mississippi native, and the Post Office that was renamed is located in his hometown. This Week Only!! Get significant discounts on selected protective eye wear while supplies last. specialforces/clearance-items/eye-wear Valid through 11/14/13 -11/21/13. Not valid with any other coupons. 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Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 13:18:27 +0000
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