01 March 2007

Courage


I wondered if I should post on the subject of Bruce Crandall receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor at all, then decided I should, 'cause you need to hear my two cents.

And yet, I'm at a loss for words.

I saw
the movie.
Viet Nam Veterans will all be moved by it, but I've seen enough movies to know you have to take them with a grain of salt... (the tactics used by the gunship similar to the one I flew, near the end of the movie, are completely wrong and would never have happened that way!) One of these days, I look forward to reading General Moore's book and learning the straight scoop.

I know this much:
The Landing Zone was receiving so much fire, the Infantry Commander closed it down.
Bruce Crandall continued to fly into the closed zone for three days.
He landed in that zone 22 times.

He knew each time he started his approach that he was likely to take a bullet, yet he refused to abandon his comrades.
That, Ladies and Gentlemen, is unimaginable courage.

8 comments:

THIRDWAVEDAVE said...

I'm in awe of him and his wingman, Ed Freeman. Talk about walking through fire while carrying a gas can for the boys on the ground. Courage doesn't come close to decribing it.

Let me know if you're able to listen to the live show. Andrea will want to make mention of you in the audience. And give me your unit designation too.

cary said...

True American Heroes!

Make a Difference - Vote For Common Sense
Write In Cary Cartter for President in 2008!

Infinitegtr said...

Is the book available? Title? Release date?

Greybeard said...

IGTR-
Link here.

It's been out quite a while. The movie is based on it.

Unknown said...

Greybeard,

So glad you were able to join us for the interview. Please tune in again whenever you can.

Andrea
The Radio Patriot

Anonymous said...

Lead, I remember a day that afew good men earned their wings!!! That day was good for a movie casting. But it was just another day in the life of a WARLORD. Few will recall it in history. But 5 L.R.R team Still have their bacon for our days work. THANKS again for the cover!!!! SLICK WE DID OUR JOB!!!!!!

Greybeard said...

Yeah, a future blog post is there, Slick!
Thanks for the memory prod.

Purple Tabby said...

Are you looking for General Hal Moore's book?
"We were Soldiers Once, And Young" or something like that
Great book. Great soldiers.