Ed Freeman ... a Vietnam hero

There are heroes among us ... ordinary men who react under extraordinary circumstances. Ed Freeman, a U.S. Army veteran who served during WW II, Korea, and Vietnam, was one of those men who received the Congressional Medal of Honor from his country, presented by President George W. Bush on July 16, 2001.

Ed Freeman passed away seven years later on August 31, 2008 ... but his memory lives as we remember on Veterans Day 2009.

During the Korean War he served as a Master Sargeant during the battle of Pork Chop Hill. His dream had been to attend flight school but, because he was 6'4" tall, was considered too tall. When the height limit was raised in 1955, he was able to complete that dream but the nickname "Too Tall" stuck with him throughout the years.

His flight service proved to be what made him a hero during the Vietnam War when he rescued dozens of young men under fire in what must surely be defined as a miracle:

During the Vietnam War, Freeman served as a helicopter pilot with the rank of Captain in U.S. Army's Company A, 229th, Assault Helicopter Battalion, First Cavalry Division Air Mobil.

On November 14, 1965, a U.S. battalion was surrounded by the enemy at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley of Vietnam. 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 Dick Cheney, the secretary of defense, secretary of veterans affairs, the joint chiefs as well as members of the Joint Chiefs, Senator Craig, Congressman Otter, and Congressman Simpson from the delegation of Idaho.

On August 20, 2008, Major Ed Freeman passed away from complications of Parkinson's 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 U.S. Post Office in his place of birth, McLain, Mississippi, the "Major Ed W. Freeman Post Office."

The Medal of Honor citation reads:

"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."

If you have seen "We Were Soldiers," you have seen his character as played by Mark McCracken.

How do we repay men like Ed Freeman? Seventy young men lived beyond that day thanks to his bravery.

Read the transcript of President George W. Bush's presentation of the Congressional Medal of Honor.


H/T to Pastor Bob