You're an 18 or 19 year old kid. You're critically wounded, and dying in the
jungle in the Ia Drang Valley, 11-14-1965. LZ Xray, Vietnam Your infantry
unit is outnumbered 8 - 1, and the enemy fire is so intense, from 100 or 200
yards away, that your own Infantry Commander has ordered the MediVac
helicopters to stop coming in.
You're lying there, listening to the enemy machine guns, and you know you're
not getting out. Your family is 1/2 way around the world, 12,000 miles away,
and you'll never see them again. As the world starts to fade in and out, you
know this is the day.
Then, over the machine gun noise, you faintly hear that sound of a
helicopter, and you look up to see an un-armed Huey, but it doesn't seem
real, because no Medi-Vac markings are on it.
Ed Freeman is coming for you. He's not Medi-Vac, so it's not his job, but
he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire, after the Medi-Vacs
were ordered not to come.
He's coming anyway.
And he drops it in, and sits there in the machine gun fire, as they load
2 or 3 of you on board.
Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire, to the Doctors and Nurses.
And, he kept coming back...... 13 more times..... and took about 30 of you
and your buddies out, who would never have gotten out.
Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman died last Wednesday at the age of 80, in
Boise , ID ......May God rest his soul.....
(Oh yeah, Paul Newman died that day too. I guess you knew that --
He got a lot more press than Ed Freeman.)
We lost a true hero that Wednesday....
His name was Ed..
Thank you for sharing with us.
Posted by: Pincher | January 08, 2009 at 11:13 PM
Yes. Ed Freeman was a true American hero. Thanks for his story.
Posted by: mjnaples | January 11, 2009 at 07:16 PM
God Bless, Too Tall, and God Speed
Posted by: UpNorth | January 12, 2009 at 04:54 PM
God Bless Americans
Posted by: Chris | January 18, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Just FYI, Ed Freeman died on August 20, 2008, while Paul Newman died on September 26, 2008.
Posted by: Travis | January 18, 2009 at 01:43 PM
That is really inspiring. I'm grateful for the Ed Freeman's of the world. One thing though - if there is a God, can we please stop asking him to bless America or Americans? Seems like the rest of the world could use some blessing too.
Posted by: Charley | January 18, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Sure, Ed Freeman was a hero.
So was Paul Newman.
His company Newman's Own has donated over $250 million to charities around the world.
Let's not compare and contrast. The heroes of this world all deserve recognition.
Posted by: Gerry | January 18, 2009 at 05:45 PM
Thank you for the post, just because someones not famous doesn't mean they cant be recognized, especially someone like this
Posted by: Diamond | January 23, 2009 at 03:50 PM
Most of the world hates Americans... why? Mostly propaganda by their powers that be to stay in power. Also, this is because the American Federal gov't contains many short-sighted idiots. American citizens, North and South are made up mostly of decent, hard-working, respectful misfits from the rest of the world. So blessing Americans IS blessing the world as well.. God Bless America. Also, God bless all brave, principled and modest people everywhere.
Posted by: Gerd | February 09, 2009 at 08:04 PM
God Less America
Posted by: charles walker | April 01, 2009 at 08:50 PM
Maj Pain,
While I agree that Ed Freeman was a great American hero,( as it has been noted here previously), but he passed last year (AUG 08)not January of 2009.
We have to be careful about these details. Make sure they are accurate and true, because those who would dishonor his memory will use this (inaccurate facts)against him and us. I knew Ed and he was a true hero in the greatest sense.
Thank you for your service and God Bless.
Posted by: R. Murphy | April 02, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I want everyone to know that I will not recite the pledge of allegiance and I will not stand or honor the flag or acknowledge the national anthem. Men like this is the reason why! I grew up with Vietnam. I grew up thinking the US was a free country. These soldiers and all the other soldiers deserve much more. They fought and died for a country that assholes like Obamma are throwing away. I will give my life for the constitution, but I do not reconcise communist ammerika!! and I will not support any country (foreign or domestic!) that these people fought against!!!!
Mike clemm17@hotmail.com
Posted by: Mike | April 03, 2009 at 04:33 AM
I wonder what Ed Freeman thought about what has become of his beloved country he fought and sacrificed so much for.
Our corrupt,money wasting government, our greedy financial system, our irresponsible immigration system.
I wonder what mr. freeman thought about all the illegal and legal immigrants who refuse to adapt to the American way of life, forcing us to adapt to them, I wonder what he thought about political correctness and the people who wish people a happy holiday on the fourth of july. our veterans deserve more from their country and her citizens.
Posted by: colton delaney | April 13, 2009 at 08:09 AM
The person who stated that Paul Newman was a hero missed the point. Paul Newman was a good man who gave to charity and I would not say anything to take that away from him. Giving money is different then putting your life on the line for your fellow man. Money is paper, blood is life. This is obviously a statement from someone that never wore the uniform, or you would recognize the difference.
www.ihateliberals.net
Posted by: 0311 | April 30, 2009 at 05:29 PM
I don't care what you say about America, then or now, the man is a hero - leave it alone.
Posted by: Clay Beardmore - 1SG, Infantry (Retired) | June 12, 2009 at 01:16 AM
who the fuck is ed freeman? other than yanks, who else gives a shit?
Posted by: torres | July 09, 2009 at 09:07 AM
Ed Freeman was a Man, something you could never be.
Posted by: dan hatfield | July 12, 2009 at 01:07 PM
Hey first sergeant beardmore go fuck yourself, you obviously are in no way the kind of soldier Ed was. glad you are not in my chain of command.
Posted by: davis | July 13, 2009 at 07:07 AM
Sgt. Beardmore-bring your drunk ass to Illinois. I have a cell and attitude adjustment waiting for you!!
Posted by: Joe Russell-Viet vet, law officer | July 15, 2009 at 07:02 PM
AMEN and AMEN If you do not love the country we as Veterans have bled and fought for then get the HEdouble L out go to Russia or even Cuba. And Sgt.Beardmore if that is your true name and rank, you disgrace yourself and your country.
Posted by: Rick | October 12, 2009 at 04:16 AM
I am a Vietnam Veteran with boots on the ground; repaired "Swift Boats". What I have to say takes absolutely nothing away from the Heroism of ED FREEMAN. I read the comments about Paul Newman; ya all need to dig a bit and research before commenting...Paul Newman was a WWII Veteran; by god he put his life on the line as well, and he took the same oath as Ed Freeman took, "...to defend the United States CONSTITUTION against ALL enemies FOREIGN and DOMESTIC..." I hate to mention this slimy limey name: Clay Beardmore...up your (*) you disrespectful limey jerk.
Posted by: Roy Nielsen | October 24, 2009 at 05:16 AM
American citizens, North and South are made up mostly of decent, hard-working, respectful misfits from the rest of the world. So blessing Americans IS blessing the world as well..
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