After medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the area because of intense enemy fire, Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing lifesaving evacuation of an estimated 30 seriously wounded soldiers-some of whom would not have survived had he not acted. Without them the units would almost surely have gone down, with much greater loss of life. His flights, by providing the engaged units with supplies of ammunition critical to their survival, directly affected the battle's outcome. When the infantry commander closed the helicopter landing zone because of intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his 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. 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. 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. Freeman, United States Army, of Boise, Idaho, who 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).
Army, Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion,1st Cavalry DivisionĬitation: Captain Ed W. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: FREEMAN, ED W. This 229th Avn Bn.He was born on Novemin Neely, MS and died on Augin Boise, ID. Of an estimated 30 seriously wounded soldiers.įreeman has lived in Idaho for the past 30 years. He flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing life-saving evacuation Infantry battalion at Landing Zone X-Ray in the la Drang Valley. Unit with A/229th Aviation Battalion, he supported a heavily engaged 14, 1965, in Vietnam.Īs a flight leader and second in command of a 16-helicopter lift
Received the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions he took asĪn Army helicopter pilot on Nov. He was 80 years old.įreeman, who was born in November of 1927 in Mississippi, Medal of Honor recipient Ed Freeman of Boise died Wednesday morning August 2008,Īccording to a friend of the Freeman family. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). March 3, 1863, has awarded the Medal of Honor toįor conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:Ĭaptain Ed W. The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress,
0 kommentar(er)
