Victor Laverne Miller Honored at last

When the World War II veteran died in 1985, his stories did, too.No more hearing about how he would stall his Curtiss Helldiver, slipping sideways to avoid the Japanese gunners. No more hearing about how the bombs he dropped blew up a ship and caused so much death.

No more seeing his face soften when he talked about flying in wispy clouds. Like kissing heaven, he’d say.

His grownup children held a simple memorial service. Victor Laverne Miller, 67, dive bomber pilot, Navy Cross recipient, piano player. He willed his body to the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

No remains to bury. No casket. Just a few prayers and hymns and memories.

But over the years, remembering the stories became harder and harder. Like millions of other families whose loved ones fought in one war or another, the Miller family had no documents, nothing on paper proving what he had done.

They didn’t even have a gravesite where they could go to remember him.

At their family gatherings, the question kept coming back: Dad was eligible to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery, wasn’t he? Shouldn’t somebody check on it?

Burial now? Without a body? What about the tangle of paperwork? How would you gather all the documents? Where would you even begin?

It all seemed too hard, too intimidating, too time-consuming to try to dig out what they needed. With no military connections in the family, no one to help them through the labyrinth of military archives, it was easier to let go.

Until Jan Girando of Overland Park, the oldest of Miller’s five children, saw a newspaper article on how the national cemetery at Arlington, Va., was filling up. If they were going to get their father the recognition he deserved, now was the time.

Her three sisters and one brother tried. A sister was told it was probably too late. No ashes, no body, no burial. Forget it.

But Girando couldn’t forget. She couldn’t explain why, but she knew gaining this honor for her father would mean a lot to her family, now scattered across the country.

He and their mother had divorced. She died years before he did. And because she also had donated her body to a medical school, the family had no gravesite, no touchstone, no link tying everyone together except fading memories.

Like other service members whose stories have been forgotten, whose honors have been overlooked, he deserved recognition.

She vowed she wouldn’t give up until she had exhausted every possibility. But she had no idea it would take nearly a year from start to finish.

Read the rest of the Victor Miller story in the Kansas City Star here

 

Bullets, bomb no match for bravery

Christopher Waiters Decorated with Distinguished Service Cross

This article was written by BRAD WONG.  Brad is an author writing for the Seattle PI.

When Army Spec. Christopher Waiters popped out of his Stryker vehicle last year in an Iraqi marketplace, he started shooting at insurgents as gunfire crackled around him.With snipers on buildings and bullets whistling by him, the Lacey resident grabbed his medical gear and ran about 100 meters toward a burning armored personnel carrier.

A bomb — part of an al-Qaida ambush — had blown a hole in the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, engulfing it in flames. Plumes of smoke filled that intersection in Baqubah. Waiters, a medic, managed to pull two soldiers out of the vehicle — and helped recover the remains of a dead comrade inside.

For his bravery April 5, 2007, the former member of Fort Lewis’ Third Stryker Brigade Combat Team received the Distinguished Service Cross on Thursday during a ceremony at the military base south of Tacoma.

Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the Army’s vice chief of staff, thanked the 26-year-old for his courage and service. “Never forget that you are the strength of the nation,” Chiarelli told Waiters, now a staff sergeant, and soldiers in the audience.

Before pinning the Army’s second highest award for heroism on Waiters’ chest, Chiarelli looked at him, raised his arm and saluted. Later, Waiters’ father hugged him. And fellow soldiers erupted in applause.

Waiters had just finished his shift around 9 a.m. on that April day when he heard an explosion and received a radio dispatch.

“Voodoo, let’s go,” Capt. Tim Price said, using Waiters’ military call sign. Price was the commander on scene during the battle.

Waiters raced in his Stryker vehicle to the intersection. Against the wishes of the vehicle’s commander, he hopped out. He knew that U.S. soldiers were hurt and that they needed him.

“They wear the American flag just like me,” Waiters said Thursday in recounting the battle.

Al-Qaida operatives had set an ambush for U.S. forces. Knowing that Americans would respond to a burning vehicle, gunmen waited for American soldiers to arrive.

On one nearby building, Waiters spotted two men spraying bullets from machine guns. From another building, three others fired weapons at the Americans and people in the street.

Civilians in the marketplace scattered. The rattle of a heavy machine gun manned by a fellow U.S. soldier also filled the air. U.S. sniper teams made their way to the fight.

Waiters just focused on reaching the burning Bradley. As he ran through the gunfire, common sense began to hit him.

“I’m already in hell. I might as well keep going,” he said he thought as he ran to the burning wreckage.

“When you’re scared, you can do a lot of amazing things. I figured, ‘Keep moving’ and I won’t get hit.”

When he reached the Bradley, he jumped on top of it. But the flames were too high and the heat was so intense that he jumped off. He raced to the back door.

He squeezed through the door and began feeling his way around. He spotted a soldier’s legs and boots and went to grab them.

But the smoke filled the compartment, forcing Waiters to leave for a moment to catch his breath.

At one point, about 15 rounds of 25 mm ammunition from the Bradley started exploding.

In the end, he ran a few times to the Bradley and pulled out two soldiers and called for helicopters to evacuate them. To this day, he still does not know their names.

He also brought a body bag for his dead comrade in the Bradley, Sgt. Jason A. Shaffer, 28, from Pennsylvania.

Waiters’ boots melted, and flames singed his uniform. But he wasn’t hurt.

Sgt. Jeffrey Anello, another medic, arrived to help remove Shaffer’s body. “Any hesitation on his part could have cost those two other soldiers their lives,” Anello said.

Waiters’ Distinguished Service Cross is the 17th given since the 9/11 attacks, Army officials said.

Read the rest of Brad Wong’s story at the Seattle PI

American Valor - PBS DVD

 

American Valor, produced by PBS, is a very patriotic program that looks at several American military heroes who have earned the Congressional Medal of Honor (through 2004) — the highest level of recognition in the country. The stories of servicemen from the Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy are told though archival news footage and photographs, interviews with medal recipients, and the testimonials of fellow soldiers who were witness to their heroism. Among the featured honorees are the first African-American and Asian-American soldiers to earn the medal — World War II veterans Vernon Baker and George Sakato. Also highlighted are the last two of the 3,440 awards to date (2004)– Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart, Delta Force members from the 1993 operation in Mogadishu, Somalia, who were posthumously awarded the medal. ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide All Movie GuideFrom Bull Run to Mogadishu, American Valor takes a moving and compelling look at America’s military heroes: those brave soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen whose actions have earned them the country’s highest military recognition, the Medal of Honor.
Stories of the Medal of Honor’s recipients unfold through newsreel footage, photographs, military art, and interviews with recipients and the comrades who witnessed their heroic acts. American Valor examines how the medal is more than a decoration for bravery; it is a way of helping understand who we are as a people, what we have experienced and what values we cherish.

 

Check out the full description of American Valor DVD - a military tribute to our Medal of Honor recipients.

CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

George Powers is helping lead souls to freedom as co-director for the Southeast Kansas House of Prayer, PittsburgOnce a soldier, always a soldier. You never stop fighting for what’s right. Such is the case with George Powers as told in the Pittsburgh, Kansas Morning Sun by staff writer Nikki Patrick.

George Powers has been a fighter against tyranny all his life.

 

First he fought against communist tyranny as a Ranger, a Green Beret and master parachutist, serving three combat tours of duty in Vietnam.

Now he’s fighting spiritual tyranny, helping lead souls to freedom as co-director for the Southeast Kansas House of Prayer, Pittsburg.  His new book, “The Making of a Soldier,” traces his battles, military and spiritual. Powers will sign copies of the book from 4 to 7:30 p.m. today and 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the recently dedicated Kansas National Guard Armory on South Rouse.

“I so much appreciate the Kansas National Guard agreeing to be my host for this book signing,” Powers said. “I want to do anything I can to make the public aware of the sacrifice our military is making, not only those who are serving but their families as well.”

A native of Wyoming, Powers wrote that “the heritage of a soldier that was to become mine literally grew out of the ground I lived on as a small child.” His great-grandfather’s ranch included three sites involved in the U.S. military’s battle against various Native American tribes, including Fort Phil Kearny.
He entered Montana State College at Bozeman, from which he was commissioned as a second lieutenant and Distinguished Military Graduate.

He served 12 1/2 years as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, including 30 months in Vietnam, earning numerous honors including the Bronze Star with Valor third award, Air Medal with Valor third award, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Badge, Army Commendation Medal and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Silver and Bronze Stars.  Memories of those years are often with him, and he frequently visits the Vietnam Wall at the Pittsburg State University Veterans Memorial. “I have friends on that wall,” Powers said.

He later attended seminary, graduated and returned to active duty as a U.S. Army chaplain with the 82D Airborne Division, Special Operations Command, Joint Special Operations Command and 1ST Infantry Division.  He continued in ministry after leaving the military, and in 1987 answered a call to pastor the South Broadway Baptist Church, Pittsburg. Powers later was instrumental in organizing Christ’s Community Church, and in developing the Southeast Kansas House of Prayer.

Based in Pittsburg, it has a mandate covering 10 area counties and is affiliated with the Kansas City International House of Prayer, Topeka House of Prayer, Crossroads International House of Prayer in Joplin and Bethel House of Prayer in Platt City, Mo.

Powers has never confined his ministry inside church walls. For 12 years, he served as PSU athletic chaplain, and he continues as an on-call chaplain with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department. “I cherish the relationship with Sandy Horton and his staff,” Powers said.

For the past three years he’s also been a substitute teacher in Pittsburg schools, and enjoys working with the youngsters.  Powers is the father of five children, and stepfather of three born to his wife, Sue, and her previous husband, Doug Head. Four of his five sons have also gone into the military — Maj. Tim Powers, Maj. Tom Powers, Senior Airman Jason Head and Pfc. Paxton Powers. “Only an injury in high school kept my son, Travis Powers, out of the military lineup,” Powers said.

Various friends had urged him to write a book about his life.   “I never thought I’d do anything like that,” he said.  But he did, and response has been good for the book, which costs $15. Powers is a member of the Military Writers Society of America, and it recently posted an online review of “The Making of a Soldier” by Jim Stewart.

“George Powers has written a fine book about his journey through life,” Stewart wrote. “…His description of his tour of duty in Vietnam is detailed and hard-hitting. This is the spiritual growth of a committed leader and soldier.”  The reviewer ended by highly recommending the book, which he called an uplifting and educational journey from personal bondage to salvation.

Powers now refers to himself as a “made-over” soldier who battles with prayer and praise rather than guns and bullets.  “There is no higher calling than to surrender to the invitation to become a private in God’s Army,” Powers said.

Thank you Nikki for covering this so well. Another good story about a good soldier!
 

Kenneth Lee Worley MOH Remembrance

Kenneth Lee Worley, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Vietnam in August 1968, was born 27 April 1948, in Farmington, New Mexico, and completed Farmington Elementary School in 1962. He attended Hot Spring High School in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, for two years.

Unfortunately for America, that is just about all that is known about Kenneth Worley. He seems to be but a ghost in time. Just a whisper in our ear to remind us of the pain and horror that we came to know as Vietnam.

After reading the news article about Kenneth earlier this year, Dad decided to pursue the matter further. It turns out there is growing interest in finding out not only more information about L/Cpl Kenneth Lee Worley, Medal of Honor recepient, but to also build a memorial to his memory.

I would like to ask anyone with information or pictures concerning Kenneth to forward them to or contact Dad@American-Valor.com

Discover more about Kenneth Worley on our main page.  We are committed to telling his story. Please help us in our mission.

Nathan Green Gordon - Medal of Honor

While serving as a Navy pilot in the Pacific during WWII, Nathan Green Gordon rescued 15 downed airmen under enemy fire. Nathan went on to serve over 20 years as lieutenant governor of his home state.

Nathan Green Gordon, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for rescuing 15 fellow airmen during World War II and later served 20 years as lieutenant governor, has died at the age of 92.  Nathan had been suffering from pneumonia and passed away Monday night.Gordon was piloting a Navy Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat in February, 1944 when he was ordered to search for downed pilots after a raid on a Japanese position along the Bismarck Sea near Papua, New Guinea.

Under fire, Gordon piloted the unwieldy aircraft to three separate water landings in rough seas, picking up nine men. On the way back, he learned of a life raft in the water and landed the already overloaded plane yet again, pulling six more airmen aboard while again under heavy enemy fire.

According to an article from tha Associated Press;
“He just did not want to leave anyone there because if they had been captured, they would have faced almost certain death,” said Stephan McAteer, executive director of the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History in Little Rock.In a 2002 interview with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Gordon said some of the survivors needed medical treatment, “but I think everybody got over it all right. When I went back during the flight to check, our crew was feeding them. They said it was the best food they’d had in a long time.”

Gordon never thought he’d be nominated for the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor. His superiors cited his “exceptional daring, personal valor and incomparable airmanship under most perilous conditions.”

On his return to Arkansas, friends persuaded him to run for office and he wound up serving as lieutenant governor from 1947 to 1967, under four governors.

According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society’s Web site, there were just 101 living recipients as of Aug. 23, including 27 from World War II.

America will miss Nathan Green Gordon.  He was truly one of our finest treasures.  Nathan was definitely a credit to the Navy, the United States and all Americans.

 

We offer our thanks for a job well done.  Thank you Nathan.

American Valor salutes you!

After 9/11 The Intimate Story

In the wake of the September 11 attacks, New Yorkers from all walks of life felt compelled to overcome their sense of powerlessness by volunteering to help out in the recovery effort. They brought in supplies, set up relief stations, and for ten months fed and cared for the recovery workers. Many deep and unexpected — even unlikely — relationships developed out of this.

Using cinema verite footage, interviews and archival photographs, we follow several characters through a series of events reuniting them with each other after the closing of the site. Through their stories we present a portrait of the city within a city that was Ground Zero, and examine how an extremely diverse group of people transcended politics and culture in an effort to heal their city and themselves.

9/12: From Chaos to Community — a 60-minute character-driven documentary — is a vibrant, moving, sometimes funny, sometimes painful portrayal of hope and healing in the wake of disaster.

In the wake of the September 11 attacks, New Yorkers from all walks of life felt compelled to overcome their sense of powerlessness by volunteering to help out in the recovery effort.

They brought in supplies, set up relief stations, and for ten months fed and cared for the recovery workers. Many deep and unexpected — even unlikely — relationships developed out of this.

Finally the spotlight is being turned where it belongs: on the everyday heroes who worked side by side with emergency responders and whose loving support and companionship helped ease their pain. — Kathleen Tierney, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Sociology & institute of Behavioral Science; Director, Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado

Having witnessed part of that effort myself, I am especially grateful to the filmmakers for capturing so poignantly and accurately the shared feelings of awe, camaraderie, loss, and love that brought everyday people together in our city’s greatest time of need.
— Steve Buscemi, Actor; Former New York City Firefighter

I have not been more surprised and provoked into reflection by any other 9/11 homage. We have all had the carnage and the sacrificial heroism of 9/11 burned into our collective memories. But what this movie shows us, on a disarmingly delicate and human scale, is something we talk about in disaster mental health but don’t really understand: the way "social support" was manifested after 9/11 under extreme conditions, in an ordinary way, and why.
— Randall D. Marshall MD, Director of Trauma Studies and Resilience, New York State Psychiatric Institute

… a poem to a group of everyday New Yorkers who discover in themselves a quiet greatness born from the darkness of 9/11. — Davis Guggenheim, Director, "An Inconvenient Truth"

… a loving, honest story about generous, matter-of-fact New Yorkers who rolled up their sleeves and helped heal the city — totally outside the limelight. They didn’t do it for glory, they did it for us. It’s a very moving tribute.
— Tom Healy, President, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

Visit 9/12 Film now…

 

9/11 Families Mourn

9/11 Families Mourn, Recall World Trade Center Attack

Sept. 11 (Bloomberg) — Families and friends of the 2,751 people who perished when two hijacked jets slammed into the World Trade Center’s twin towers convened at Ground Zero today to observe the seventh anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil.Bells tolled in Zuccotti Park, a block from Ground Zero, at 8:46 and 9:03 a.m., marking the moments when planes crashed into each tower. They tolled again at 9:59 and 10:29 a.m., when the buildings collapsed into a fiery cloud of smoke and debris.

Although 2007 was to be the final opportunity for family members to descend a ramp and touch the ground where the towers stood, construction delays at the 16-acre site permitted one last visit this year. Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama were to mark the occasion at the scene this afternoon, their campaigns said.

“It’s very emotional, every day of my life is emotional,” said Sally Regenhard, whose son Christian Regenhard, a probationary New York City firefighter, died at 28 while helping in the rescue of 25,000 who evacuated the towers safely.

In what’s become a yearly ritual, friends and family read the names of the dead, and government officials recited poems with an occasional musical interlude. Four blocks away, the New York Stock Exchange marked a minute of silence at 9:25 a.m. before trading began.

read rest of 9/11 remembrance story…

9/11 Anniversary

World Trade Center Attack Victims Remembered

America has marked the seventh anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks as relatives of those who died at the World Trade Centre in New York gathered at the site for a remembrance ceremony.

Michael Bloomberg, New York’s mayor, led the first of four silences at "Ground Zero" which marked the moments the Twin Towers were hit by the hijacked airliners and the moments they collapsed.

Family members and students representing more than 90 countries, including Britain, that lost citizens in the attack read the names of the 2,974 people who died - a tribute which was due to last about four hours.

At the New York Stock Exchange, the usually frenetic activity came to an abrupt halt as traders bowed their heads in silence.

In Washington, President Bush led for the last time a White House gathering to remember an event that defined his presidency. Services were also held in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon, where a new memorial was unveiled.

Later in the day, the presidential candidates John McCain abdBarack Obama were due at Ground Zero to pay silent respects together "as Americans".

read the rest of the 9/11 Anniversary story…

World Trade Center Attacks

Never forget 9/11 and the World Trade Center.  Many died that fateful day.  Many have died since then in the pursuit and apprehension of the terrorists responsible.  This day was truly an Armageddon in the lives of many millions of families.

Never, ever forget this day.  Never forget the innocents who lost their lives.  Never forget the rescue police and fire departments who died  while trying to save the thousands of people in the World Trade Center.  Never forget the thousands on men and women  serving in the armed forces who have lost their lives in the pursuit of these terrorists.

Never belittle their deaths with the cheap stories of government conspiracies.  Never belittle their deaths with your opposition to the current political administration.

These good Americans lost their lives both during the Attack on America and in the pursuit of justice.

Justice an freedom shall prevail.

NEVER CROSS THE EAGLE!

 

US troops in Afghanistan remember 9/11

U.S. troops in Afghanistan remembered those killed in the Sept. 11 attacks during a ceremony Thursday at an American base in Kabul, where a top U.S. general said terrorism still remains a threat to the world.Maj. Gen. Robert Cone told those gathered for a memorial ceremony at Camp Eggers that terrorists have struck in London, Russia and Bali, Indonesia since the 2001 attacks in the United States.

“These attacks are reminders that the threat of terrorism is real and still a danger to the entire world,” Cone said.

Cone’s command in Kabul trains and equips the fledgling Afghan security forces — the centerpiece of the American strategy of turning Afghanistan into a country that can defend itself and away from the days when Osama bin Laden used it as a safe haven to launch attacks in New York and Washington.

See the rest of the story here

Medal of Honor - Kenneth Worley

With so many acts of valor in America’s history, it is difficult to read the following article and not have your eyes well up in tears. Here is the story of a young soldier who selflessly and without hesitation gave his own life to protect the lives of those around him. It was determined that he should be awarded the Medal of Honor, this country’s highest decoration for valor…and sadly it is learned that no one knows anything about Kenneth Worley. How can one who gives so fully of himself not have left a mark or a memory among those with whom he lived? If after reading this story about Kenneth Worley you remember any details about his life or you know someone who knew him or have any information about him at all, please contact Dad@American-Valor.com and I will see to it that America hears the story about the life of one of her heroes. Thank you, Dad

Mystery surrounds Medal of Honor recipient

By DEBRA MAYEUX , The Daily Times,  Information from: The Daily Times
 

A name on a wall without military rank or recognition of honors—that is how Farmington, N.M.  recognizes its only Medal of Honor recipient.

Like many Vietnam veterans, Lance Cpl. Kenneth Worley was not honored with a parade or celebration upon the return of his body to the United States. It even took the U.S. military two years before awarding the medal to Worley, presenting it to his son and foster family.

"Worley died Aug. 12, 1968, in Bo Ban Hamlet, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam in a valiant act of heroism, (he) instantly threw himself upon the grenade nearest him and his comrades, absorbing with his body, the full and tremendous force of the explosion," his medal’s citation states.

Worley, 20 at the time of his death, saved his fellow Marines, gallantly giving his life for his country, the citation added. He is one of 297 Marines and 3,467 service members to receive the medal since it was established during the Civil War. He is the only Marine from New Mexico to earn the award.

But who was Kenneth Worley? This Marine and his life remain shrouded in mystery.

Worley was born April 27, 1948, in Farmington. He was raised by a poor family, said Bruce Salisbury, an Aztec resident who has spent the past five years investigating Worley.
"My sister, Ann, went to school with his sister," Salisbury said.

Worley’s military record stated he graduated the eighth grade from Farmington Elementary School and moved for a short time to Truth or Consequences after being orphaned. It’s not known what happened to his parents.

At 16, he moved to Modesto, Calif., where he lived with an aunt and worked as a trucker, hauling Christmas trees out of the mountains, according to a study on Worley’s life completed by Terence W. Barrett, a doctor of psychology at North Dakota State University.

"I was doing a study of bravery when I came across Ken," Barrett said in a telephone interview. Barrett works with people suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorder. "The idea (of the study) was to have examples of actions that people take that are brave."

Barrett, finding little to no history on Worley, became intrigued by the young man.

"There was so little public information, and I wanted more than their citations. I wanted personal background," Barrett said.

He did research and was surprised to find that few, if any, people knew who Worley was. Residents here did not realize a Farmington native received the Medal of Honor.

"I found Worley Field and wondered if it was named after him," Barrett said.

He contacted the city’s parks and recreation department, but there were no records as to when or how the park was named.

Local baseball historian Jim Clay said the field was named after an El Paso Natural Gas employee. It is not known if the Mr. Worley the field was named after was related to Kenneth Worley.

Barrett discovered there are 25,000 Worleys accounted for in the 1990 Census and no Worley has publicly claimed to be related to the Marine. No one seems to have any knowledge of his biological lineage, Barrett said.

Worley did have a foster mother and father, the late Don and Rose Feyerman, of Modesto, Calif.

At the time, Worley was not going to school and was living in a camper trailer with no running water, electricity or heat, Barrett said. The Feyermans liked Worley and considered him to be their ninth child.

In August 1967, Worley enlisted in the Marines. He trained at Camp Pendelton and was sent to Vietnam, arriving there Nov. 24, 1967, at the age of 19. He was a machine gunner and rifleman.

He died the following August, Barrett said. He saved five of his comrades when he threw his body on the grenade.

He was doing any number of things before his death that credit him with valor, Barrett said. Worley had four bronze campaign stars attached to his Vietnam Service Medal for other actions of bravery.

"There’s nothing named after him (in Farmington), which is really unfortunate. Most Medal of Honor recipients have highways or buildings named in honor of them, but there was no public dedication made in honor of him," Barrett said.

Salisbury has worked on that for the past five years.

"All I want is for that kid who spent 16 years of his life here to be honored," Salisbury said. "My heart went out to Worley. … I hope that after all of this comes out this kid will be recognized as somebody really important."

There is another Medal of Honor recipient from San Juan County.

U.S. Army Pvt. 1st Class Jose Valdez was born in Gobernador. He received the medal posthumously for service in World War II. A 106-mile stretch of U.S. 64 from Tierra Amarilla to Bloomfield is named in his honor.

Mayor Bill Standley said he needed more information about Worley before pushing for a memorial.

"I don’t feel I can do it, until I find out more information, and if he’s got strong ties or roots (to the community)," Standley said.

There are memorials to him in California and Seattle, Barrett said. There is a Medal of Honor plaque on his grave at Westminster Memorial Gardens in Westminster, Calif.

There also is the Lance Cpl. Kenneth L. Worley Young Marine unit based in Bellflower, Calif., a nonprofit organization open to all children ages 8 to 18.

Worley’s only recognition in Farmington is his engraved name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Salisbury’s hope is to have a memorial statue dedicated to Worley that would be a bronze depicting Worley in his military uniform, looking down at one of the young Marines.

Maybe those young Marines will find that Farmington has a heart and it cares, Salisbury said.
 

War Hero Remembered

The following article was written by KATY MOELLER of the Hattiesburg American:

As Ed “Too Tall” Freeman lay ill in a Boise hospital over the past few weeks, many came to pay their respects to the 80-year-old national war hero and former helicopter pilot.One unexpected visitor offered a very personal thank you to Freeman, a veteran of three wars and recipient of the highest military award - the Medal of Honor - for his actions on Nov. 14, 1965, at Landing Zone X-Ray, Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam.

“A guy came into the hospital and said, ‘You don’t know me, but I was one of those people you hauled out of the X-Ray,’” said Mike Freeman, 54, one of Ed’s two sons. “He said, ‘Thanks for my life.’”

Freeman, who was born and raised in Greene County, Miss., died Wednesday of complications from Parkinson’s disease.

His Medal of Honor citation credits him with helping save 30 seriously wounded soldiers in 14 separate rescue missions in an unarmed helicopter.

The heroics of Freeman and the others involved in the Ia Drang campaign are immortalized in the Mel Gibson movie “We Were Soldiers,” which is based on the book “We Were Soldiers Once … And Young.” A sequel, “We Are Soldiers Still,” was released this month…

Continue reading the full story here

 

History of the American Flag

The Stars and Stripes originated as a result of a resolution adopted by the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress at Philadelphia on June 14, 1777. The resolution read: "Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation."

The resolution gave no instruction as to how many points the stars should have, nor how the stars should be arranged on the blue union. Consequently, some flags had stars scattered on the blue field without any specific design, some arranged the stars in rows, and some in a circle. The first Navy Stars and Stripes had the stars arranged in staggered formation in alternate rows of threes and twos on a blue field. Other Stars and Stripes flags had stars arranged in alternate rows of four, five and four. Some stars had six points while others had eight.

Strong evidence indicates that Francis Hopkinson of New Jersey, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was responsible for the stars in the American flag. At the time that the flag resolution was adopted, Hopkinson was the Chairman of the Continental Navy Board’s Middle Department. Hopkinson also helped design other devices for the Government including the Great Seal of the United States. For his services, Hopkinson
submitted a letter to the Continental Admiralty Board asking "whether a Quarter Cask of the public Wine will not be a proper & reasonable Reward for these Labours of Fancy and a suitable Encouragement to future Exertions of a like Nature." His request was turned down since the Congress regarded him as a public servant.

AN EARLY STARS AND STRIPES

During the Revolutionary War, several patriots made flags for our new Nation. Among them were Cornelia Bridges, Elizabeth (Betsy) Ross, and Rebecca Young, all of Pennsylvania, and John Shaw of Annapolis, Maryland. Although Betsy Ross, the best known of these persons, made flags for 50 years, there is no proof that she made the first Stars and Stripes. It is known that she made flags for the Pennsylvania State Navy in 1777. The flag popularly known as the "Betsy Ross flag," which arranged the stars in a circle, did not appear until the early 1790’s.

The claims of Betsy Ross were first brought to the attention of the public in 1870 by one of her grandsons, William J. Canby. In a paper he read before the meeting of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Canby stated:

"It is not tradition, it is report from the lips of the principal participator in the transaction, directly told not to one or two, but a dozen or more living witnesses, of which I myself am one, though but a little boy when I heard it. . . . Colonel Ross with Robert Morris and General Washington, called on Mrs. Ross and told her they were a committee of Congress, and wanted her to make a flag from the drawing, a rough one, which, upon her suggestions, was redrawn by General Washington in pencil in her back parlor. This was prior to the Declaration of Independence. I fix the date to be during Washington’s visit to Congress from New York in June, 1776 when he came to confer upon the affairs of the Army, the flag being no doubt, one of these affairs."

THE GRAND UNION FLAG

The first flag of the colonists to have any resemblance to the present Stars and Stripes was the Grand Union Flag, sometimes referred to as the Congress Colors, the First Navy Ensign, and the Cambridge Flag. Its design consisted of 13 stripes, alternately red and white, representing the Thirteen Colonies, with a blue field in the upper left-hand corner bearing the red cross of St. George of England with the white cross of St. Andrew of Scotland. As the flag of the revolution it was used on many occasions. It was first flown by the ships of the Colonial Fleet on the Delaware River. On December 3, 1775, it was raised aboard Captain Esek Hopkin’s flagship Alfred by John Paul Jones, then a Navy lieutenant. Later the flag was raised on the liberty pole at Prospect Hill, which was near George Washington’s headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was our unofficial national flag on July 4, 1776, Independence Day; and it remained the unofficial national flag and ensign of the Navy until June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress authorized the Stars and Stripes.

Interestingly, the Grand Union Flag also was the standard of the British East India Company. It was only by degrees that the Union Flag of Great Britain was discarded. The final breach between the Colonies and Great Britain brought about the removal of the British Union from the canton of our striped flag and the substitution of stars on a blue field.

FIFTEEN STARS AND STRIPES

When two new States were admitted to the Union (Kentucky and Vermont), a resolution was adopted in January of 1794, expanding the flag to 15 stars and 15 stripes. This flag was the official flag of our country from 1795 to 1818, and was prominent in many historic events. It inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the bombardment of Fort McHenry; it was the first flag to be flown over a fortress of the Old World when American Marine and Naval forces raised it above the pirate stronghold in Tripoli on April 27, 1805; it was the ensign of American forces in the Battle of Lake Erie in September of 1813; and it was flown by General Jackson in New Orleans in January of 1815.

However, realizing that the flag would become unwieldy with a stripe for each new State, Capt. Samuel C. Reid, USN, suggested to Congress that the stripes remain 13 in number to represent the Thirteen Colonies, and that a star be added to the blue field for each new State coming into the Union. Accordingly, on April 4, 1818, President Monroe accepted a bill requiring that the flag of the United States have a union of 20 stars, white on a blue field, and that upon admission of each new State into the Union one star be added to the union of the flag on the fourth of July following its date of admission. The 13 alternating red and white stripes would remain unchanged. This act succeeded in prescribing the basic design of the flag, while assuring that the growth of the Nation would be properly symbolized.

Eventually, the growth of the country resulted in a flag with 48 stars upon the admission of Arizona and New Mexico in 1912. Alaska added a 49th in 1959, and Hawaii a 50th star in 1960. With the 50-star flag came a new design and arrangement of the stars in the union, a requirement met by President Eisenhower in Executive Order No. 10834, issued August 21, 1959. To conform with this, a national banner with 50 stars became the official flag of the United States. The flag was raised for the first time at 12:01 a.m. on July 4, 1960, at the Fort McHenry National Monument in Baltimore, Maryland.

Traditionally a symbol of liberty, the American flag has carried the message of freedom to many parts of the world. Sometimes the same flag that was flying at a crucial moment in our history has been flown again in another place to symbolize continuity in our struggles for the cause of liberty.

One of the most memorable is the flag that flew over the Capitol in Washington on December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked. This same flag was raised again on December 8 when war was declared on Japan, and three days later at the time of the declaration of war against Germany and Italy. President Roosevelt called it the "flag of liberation" and carried it with him to the Casablanca Conference and on other historic occasions. It flew from the mast of the U.S.S. Missouri during the formal Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945.

Another historic flag is the one that flew over Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It also was present at the United Nations Charter meeting in San Francisco, California, and was used at the Big Three Conference at Potsdam, Germany. This same flag flew over the White House on August 14, 1945, when the Japanese accepted surrender terms.

Following the War of 1812, a great wave of nationalistic spirit spread throughout the country; the infant Republic had successfully defied the might of an empire. As this spirit spread, the Stars and Stripes became a symbol of sovereignty. The homage paid that banner is best expressed by what the gifted men of later generations wrote concerning it. The writer Henry Ward Beecher said:

"A thoughtful mind when it sees a nation’s flag, sees not the flag, but the nation itself. And whatever may be its symbols, its insignia, he reads chiefly in the flag, the government, the principles, the truths, the history that belongs to the nation that sets it forth. The American flag has been a symbol of Liberty and men rejoiced in it. "The stars upon it were like the bright morning stars of God, and the stripes upon it were beams of morning light. As at early dawn the stars shine forth even while it grows light, and then as the sun advances that light breaks into banks and streaming lines of color, the glowing red and intense white striving together, and ribbing the horizon with bars effulgent, so, on the American flag, stars and beams of many-colored light shine out together . . . ."

In a 1917 Flag Day message, President Wilson said:

"This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us-speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it. "We celebrate the day of its birth; and from its birth until now it has witnessed a great history, has floated on high the symbol of great events, of a great plan of life worked out by a great people…. "Woe be to the man or group of men that seeks to stand in our way in this day of high resolution when every principle we hold dearest is to be vindicated and made secure for the salvation of the nation. We are ready to plead at the bar of history, and our flag shall wear a new luster. Once more we shall make good with our lives and fortunes the great faith to which we were born, and a new glory shall shine in the face of our people."

Flying a tattered, worn or dirty American flag is disrespectful. Get a new one on sale now at AmericanFlags.com!

 

Vietnam Prisoners of War

The Hoa Lo Prison , later known to American prisoners of war as the “Hanoi Hilton”, was a prison used by the French colonists in Vietnam for political prisoners and later by North Vietnam for Vietnam prisoners of war. The Hanoi Hilton history is one we want to forget but cannot.  The Hanoi Hilton Vietnam was without equal in pain, torture and suffering. Extreme torture methods were employed on the POWs at the Hanoi Hilton, such as rope bindings, irons, beatings, and prolonged solitary confinement.  A few of the POW names from Hanoi Hilton are listed below. This makes a good point on ethics, commitment, patriotism and loyalty.

Hanoi Hilton Vietnam

In late 2000, CdrAirGroup (CAG) Jim Stockdale, Room Senior Ranking Officer (SRO) asked his old friend, By Fuller to provide a list of the roommates of Room 7, Hanoi Hilton as of Christmas 1970. The roommates of this room were extraordinary, both at the time of incarceration, and then later in freedom.Room 7 had the first organized church service to be held in the prisons of North Vietnam. Permission was asked for by Stockdale, and twice denied by the Camp Commander. The room was warned not to do it. Room 7 decided to do it anyway. They even had a choir. Their solemn service quickly caught the eye of the guards and authorities. Armed guards rushed into the room to break up the ‘ominous’ unauthorized meeting. Ringleaders, Risner, Coker and Rutledge were led out of the room with guards at each arm (they were headed for more Heartbreak Hotel, solitary confinement and lots of punishment). Bud Day was the one who then jumped up on his bed and started to sing ‘The National Anthem’ and ‘God Bless America.’ The entire room burst into song. Then Rooms Six, Five, Four, Three, Two and One joined in succession.These songs of pride and defiance were loud enough to be heard outside the 15-foot walls of the Hanoi Hilton. As Robbie marched out the door, his back straightened with pride. He held his head high.

Robbie later recalled his thoughts as his roommates burst out in song, ‘I felt like I was nine feet tall and could go bear hunting with a switch.’ Thirty one years l later, on November 16, 2001 a nine-foot tall bronze statue of Brigadier General Robinson Risner, USAF would be dedicated on the central plaza of the United States Air Force Academy. To Bud Day (principal speaker), Ross Perot (the sponsor of the project), and dozens of Robbie’s Room-Seven roommates at the ceremony, it seemed more fitting to call the statue ‘life size.’ Photos: Dedication of B/Gen Robbie Risner’s Statue - USAFA 16-18 November 2001

CAG, knowing what the VC reaction would be, was heard to remark something to the effect, ‘Well, I guess we just can’t stand prosperity.’ Our camp, yet unnamed, from that moment on became known as ‘Camp Unity.’The guards protested, but the songs continued. Shortly thereafter, Vietnamese troops entered each room in force. They had their hats secured with chinstraps in place, they had fixed bayonets, and they were mad! They quickly backed the POWs against the walls with a bayonet in each POW’s stomach. The singing immediately ceased as the troops burst through the doors. The VC later claimed that they had put down a riot. It wasn’t a real riot, but it was a lot of fun until the soldiers entered the room. Several roommates of Room 7 were jerked out the next day. The next day, Orson Swindle in Room 6 tapped the following message on the wall: ‘Damn, you’d have to get in line to get in trouble in that crowd!!’

Thanks to By Fuller for the gut work of putting together this facts sheet.& nbsp; Paul Galanti and Mike McGrath assisted.This historical document is dedicated to a fearless leader, Vice Admiral Jim Stockdale, CAG.

Here’s what the men of Room 7 accomplished:

Roster of ‘Room 7′ on 26 December, 1970 (Hanoi Hilton):

Name: Shootdown rank: Days captive:

1. Brady, Al Cdr, USN 2236

2. Coker, George Lt (jg), USN 2381

3. Coskey, Ken Cdr, USN 1650

4. Craner, Bob (Deceased) Maj, USAF 1911

5. Crayton,20Render LCdr, USN 2562

6. Crow, Fred LCol, USAF 2170

7. Crumpler, Carl LCol, USAF 1713

8. Daniels, Vern Cdr, USN 1966

9. Daughtrey, Norlan Capt, USAF 2751

10. Day, Bud Maj, USAF 2027

11. Denton, Jerry & nbsp; Cdr, USN 2766

12. Doremus, Rob LCdr, USN 2729

13 Dramesi, John Capt, USAF 2163

14. Dunn Howie (Deceased) Maj, USMC 2624

15. Fellowes, Jack LCdr, USN 2381

16. Finlay, Jack LCol, USAF 1781

17. Franke, Bill Cdr, USN 2729

18. Fuller, By Cdr, USN 2060

19. Gillespie, Chuck (Deceased) Cdr, USN 1968

20. Guarino, Larry Maj, USAF 2801

21. Gutterson, Laird Maj, USAF 1846

22. Hughes, Jim LCol, USAF 2130

23. James, Charlie Cdr, USN 1761

24.20Jenkins, Harry (Deceased) Cdr, USN 2648

25. Johnson, Sam Maj, USAF 2494

26. Kasler, Jim Maj, USAF 2400

27. Kirk, Tom LCol, USAF 1964

28. Lamar, Jim LCol, USAF 2474

29. Larson, Swede LCol, USAF 2130

30. Lawrence, Bill &nbs p; Cdr, USN 2076

31. Ligon, Vern (Deceased) LCol, USAF 1942

32 McCain, John LCdr, USN 1966

33. McKnight, George Maj, USAF 2655

34. Moore, Mel Cdr, USN 2185

35. Mulligan, Jim Cdr, USN 2521

36. Pollard, Ben Maj, USAF 2120

37. Risner, Robbie LCol, USAF 2706

38. Rivers, Wendy LCdr, USN 2715

39. Rutledge, Howie (Deceased) Cdr, USN 2633

40. Schoeffel, Pete LCdr, USN 1988

41. Shumaker, Bob LCdr, USN 2923

42. Stockdale, Jim Cdr, USN 2713

43. Stockman, Hervey LCol, USAF &nbs p; 2093

44. Stratton, Dick LCdr, USN 2250

45. Tanner, Nels LCdr, USN 2338

46. Webb, Ron Capt, USAF 2093

47. Gary Anderson (Deceased) Lt (jg), USN 2151

Total days in captivity: 108,116

Man-years in captivity: 296.21

Here’s a brief history of the 47 men:

5 Made Admiral rank (Stockdale O-9, Lawrence O-9, Shumaker O-8, Denton O-8, Fuller O-8).

1 Made General rank (Risner O-7)

40 Others stayed in the military and attained the following ranks: (USMC 1 Col–Dunn; Navy 1 Cdr–Coker; AF 1 LCol–Daughtrey; AF 19 Colonels–Craner, Crow, Crumpler, Day, Dramesi, Finlay, Guarino, Gutterson, Hughes, Kasler, Johnson, Kirk,=2 0Lamar, Larson, Ligon, McKnight, Pollard, Stockman, & Webb; Navy 18 Captains–Brady, Coskey, Crayton, Daniels, Doremus, Fellowes, Franke, Gillespie, James, Jenkins, McCain, Moore, Mulligan, Rivers, Rutledge, Schoeffel, Stratton, & Tanner.

2 Became U.S. Congressmen (Johnson, Texas; McCain, Arizona).

2 Became U.S. Senators (Denton, Alabama; McCain, Arizona).

1 Was a Vice Presidential candidate (Stockdale).

1 Was a Presidential candidate (McCain).

2 Received the Medal of Honor (Stockdale, Day). Day resumed his career as a lawyer.

3 Received the Navy Cross (Denton, Coker, Fuller). (3 of the 4 POWs to receive this award were from this room. Red McDaniel was the 4th POW to receive the award).

4 Made escapes. All were recaptured, all were tortured. (Dramesi, Coker, McKnight, Day).

2 Were jet aces from the Korea War (Risner: 9 kills in F-86; Kasler: 6 kills in F-86).

1 First pilot to fly over Russia in U-2 spy aircraft (Stockman).

1 Was shot down 4-15-1944 in Germany. POW until April 1945. 26th mission in P-47 (Ligon)

1 Shot down 3 German planes during WW II. Flying British aircraft (Guarino). Flew 156 missions in Sicily, India, China and Indo-China.

1 Flew 62 missions in Korea War. Got credit for 1 kill, 1 damaged, 1 probable kill against Mig 15s (Johnson).

7 Received the Air Force Cross (Kasler–3 awards; Risner–2 awards; Dramesi: 2 awards, Day, Kirk, Guarino and McKnight each received one award).

4 Were Navy Test Pilots (Stockdale, Lawrence, Gillespie, & Franke).

1 Flew with the Thunderbirds (Johnson).

11 Were USNA graduates (Brady ‘51, Denton ‘47, Fellowes ‘56, Fuller ‘51, Gillespie ‘51, Lawrence ‘51, McCain ‘58, Rivers ‘52, Schoeffel ‘54, Shumaker ‘56, & Stockdale ‘47).

2 Were Landing Signal Officers (LSOs); (Stockdale, Tanner).

1 Escaped the B-52 community and got into combat flying the F-105G (Larson).

1 Has a daughter who is an astronaut, gone into space three times (789 hours). She is presently in training as a crewmember of the International Space Station. (Lawrence).

1 Was a Navy Air Wing Commander (CAG): (Stockdale, (COMAIRGRU 16).

1 Commanded a Navy Carrier, USS America. Later became Battle Group Commander ñCARGRU 4 Commander (Fuller).

10 Were Squadron Commanders (Coskey (VA-85), Day (TBD), Denton (VA-75), Franke, Fuller (VA-76), Gillespie, Jenkins VA-163), Lawrence (VF-143), Ligon (11th TRS) and Larson (469th TFS) when shot down), Schoeffel (VA-83).

5 Were Squadron Executive Officers (Daniels, Moore, Mulligan, Rutledge, & Brady). They were shot down before they could make Squadron Commander.

10 Authored books:

a. Day: Return With Honor.

b. Denton: When Hell Was In Session.

c. Dramesi: Code of Honor.

d. Guarino: A POW’s Story: 2801 Days in Hanoi.

e. Johnson: Captive Warriors: A Vietnam POW’s Story.

f. McCain: Faith of My Fathers.

g. Mulligan: The Hanoi Commitment.

h. Risner: The Passing of the Night.

i. Rutledge: In the Presence of Mine Enemies.

j. Stockdale: Courage Under Fire; In Love and War; A Vietnam Experience; Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot.

4 Became Presidents/Commandants/Superintendents of institutions of higher learning: (Stockdale:President of the Citidel and President of the Naval War College; Lawrence: Superintendent of the USNA; Shumaker: Superintendent of the Naval Postgraduate School; and (TBD); Denton: Commandant of Armed Forces Staff College).

2 Built their own airplanes: (Jenkins: Long EZ; Shumaker: Glassair). Pollard is currently flying sail planes.

1 Was the first active duty Naval Aviator to fly Mach II (Lawrence).

1 Was first Naval Aviator to land on an aircraft carrier in 0/0 fog with a newly developed Aircraft Carrier Landing System (Gillespie). Yes, it was an emergency low fue l state!

2 Naval Aviators were in the final selection groups (before shootdown) for the Mercury Astronaut Program (Lawrence, Shumaker).

Many of the members of Room 7 either served during wars prior to Vietnam, or who saw combat in theatres other than Vietnam

WW II:

Vern Ligon: USA Air Corps, 25 missions, P-47 pilot, POW in Stalag Luft 1, 1944-45, escaped once, recaptured.

Larry Guarino: USA Air Corps, 156 missions in Sicily, India, China and Indo-China. Spitfires.

Hervey Stockman: USA Air Corps. 68 missions, P-51.

Jim Kasler: USA Air Corps, 7 missions as tail gunner, B-29.

Harry Jenkins and Gordon Larson were Navy V5 cadets and Fred Crow was an Army Air Corps aviation cadet when WW II ended.

Bud Day: Corporal, USMC, 30 months in south and central Pacific, April 1942-Nov 1945.

By Fuller and Carl Crumpler: Enlisted in US Navy summer of 1945. Saw boot camp by the end of WW II.

Fred Crow and Al Brady: were Navy dependents at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

Korea:

Robby Risner: USAF, 108 missions, F-86 Mig Ace with 9 kills.

Jim Kasler: USAF, 100 missions, F-86, Mig Ace with 6 kills.

Howie Rutledge: USN, 200 missions, F9F-2 as a Flying Midshipman.

Harry Jenkins: Served aboard USS Fred T. Berry (DD-141) off coast of Korea. Flying Midshipman.

Tom Kirk: Flew missions in Korea (we need more information from Tom).

Larry Guarino: USAF, Air Defense Alert missions.

Jim Lamar: USAF, 100 missions in F-80 and P-51.

Wendy Rivers: Served on a destroyer off the coast of Korea.

Laird Gutterson: USAF, flew 60 missions, P-51.

Verlyne Daniels: Flew AD-4 missions, March-August 1953.

Sam Johnson: USAF, flew 62 missions, F-86, 1 kill, 1 probable, 1 damaged against Mig 15s.

Bud Day: USAF, air defense missions, F-84s.

Bill Lawrence: (F2H-3) and By Fuller (F9F-5) arrived off the coast of Korea in October 1953. They were flying off the USS Oriskany. Too late the war was over!

Fred Crow: Had various commands stateside during the Korean War.

Carl Crumpler: Flew F-86s at George AFB. War was over too soon for him to participate.

Magnificent men, whether in a cockpit, in a cell, or at a desk.

Regardless of the circumstances, some are never defeated, only temporarily delayed.

Imagine someone saying, ‘getting shot down and captured does not qualify someone to be president’.

 

Two Soldiers from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) were recognized with medals for valor at Wheeler Army Airfield after taking exemplary actions which saved the lives of their fellow Soldiers during the most recent deployment to northern Iraq. Their battalion also was rewarded.

Staff Sgt. Christopher Elliot and Sgt. Corey Haynes, both from 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th CAB, were awarded the Bronze Star Medal with a "V" device for valor, presented by Brig. Gen. Robert Brown, deputy commanding general for support, 25th Infantry Division, in front of family and their fellow Soldiers.

Both Soldiers were serving as part of an aircrew during a special mission in northern Iraq when they began to receive direct enemy fire.

Brig. Gen. Robert Brown, deputy commanding general for support, 25th Infantry Division, Col. Michael Lundy, commander, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, and Lt. Col. David Francis, commander, 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, add the streamer for a Meritorious Unit Commendation to the battalion’s colors as its Soldiers watch during a ceremony at Wheeler Army Airfield, July 24. The battalion was recognized for distinguishing itself with meritorious service for at least six continuous months during combat operations in Multinational Division-North in Iraq.

"This is an example of two Soldiers who did what I would call the harder right than the easy wrong," said Brown. "They saw fellow Soldiers in need and despite all the dangers they went out, and recovered and provided first aid, and saved the lives of three of our fellow teammates on a special mission."

Read the full story of these two Americans’ valor in service to their country here:

American Valor Military Tribute to Paul R. Smith

Medal of Honor for *SMITH, PAUL R.

Rank and Organization: Sergeant First Class, United States Army
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003.

On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round.

Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded.

His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith’s extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.