Ed Freeman

**Pal334** · 11-02-2009, 07:48 AM

You're a 19 year old kid.
You're critically wounded and dying in the jungle in the Ia Drang Valley , on 11-14-1965, LZ X-ray , 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..!!

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 anyway. Even 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..!!

He took about 30 of you and your buddies out who would never have gotten
out.

Medal of Honor Recipient, Ed Freeman, died at the age of 80, In Boise , ID

May God Rest His Soul.

I bet you didn't hear about this hero's passing, but we've sure seen a whole
bunch about Michael Jackson!!!

Medal of Honor Recipient Ed Freeman!

Shame on the American Media..!!

There are many more out there like Ed Freeman, cherish them while they are alive and honor them when they pass.

**Pal334** · 11-02-2009, 07:50 AM

Here is a picture of Ed Freeman in his later years.

**nell67** · 11-02-2009, 07:53 AM

Rest in peace Mr.Freeman. God bless you.

**Rick** · 11-02-2009, 07:54 AM

He actually passed away last year. Bruce Crandall was awarded the Medal of Honor for the same thing.

My utmost respect to anyone that was at La Drang. I remember it quite well but, obviously, from a much, much different perspective. It was the worst battle for American troops in the entire war.

**crashdive123** · 11-02-2009, 08:22 AM

Rest in peace Mr. Freeman.

**gryffynklm** · 11-02-2009, 09:11 AM

Thanks PAL

Rest in peace Mr. Freeman.

**Old GI** · 11-02-2009, 09:40 AM

RIP.

There was at least one other MEDEVAC guy that is a MOH recipient. Retired General Patrick Brady. He commanded the Med Bn in the 101st when I was there; he went on to be the PAO for the Army. He is a great guy.

**Pal334** · 11-02-2009, 09:43 AM

The MEDEVAC folks of whatever service have always been and continue to be amongst the best we have

**Ken** · 11-02-2009, 09:52 AM

A true Hero. While we mourn his death, we should celebrate his life. Rest in Peace, Major Freeman.

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**Sam** · 11-02-2009, 10:57 AM

Rest in peace Mr. Freeman.
-Sam

**Old GI** · 11-02-2009, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Pal334

The MEDEVAC folks of whatever service have always been and continue to be amongst the best we have

You're right. A great many more MEDEVAC pilots and crew could have recieved the MOH. And, their bravery and skill are demonstrated every day in non-combat situations as well.

**rebel_chick** · 11-02-2009, 04:51 PM

I sure would have rather heard about this that Jackson for sure.

RIP. And thank you Mr. Freeman

**finallyME** · 11-02-2009, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by rebel_chick

I sure would have rather heard about this that Jackson for sure.

RIP. And thank you Mr. Freeman

What are you talking about. Jackson's death was a very happy moment for me. But, not as happy as when Ted Kennedy died.

As for Mr. Freeman, at least he got the MOH. He deserved it, and brought honor to the award.

**Ole WV Coot** · 11-02-2009, 07:07 PM

MEDEVAC crews were the bravest men period. A couple I knew died from that darn agent orange, flying in it for men they didn't know. I never met braver men that didn't really want anything but a thanks from the grunts.

**trax** · 11-03-2009, 12:46 PM

Hey thanks for sharing this. I think the thing to remember is the difference between Mr. Freeman's passing and some of these celebrities we hear so much about is that Mr. Freeman left us a legacy and an example we can try to live up to, what did those others really do?

**Old GI** · 11-03-2009, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by Ole WV Coot

MEDEVAC crews were the bravest men period. A couple I knew died from that darn agent orange, flying in it for men they didn't know. I never met braver men that didn't really want anything but a thanks from the grunts.

The several I know/knew were NUTS!!!!!! as well as brave.