Honoring a hero who went above and beyond the call of duty.

Capt Jeff S. — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:12:06 -0500

You're a 19 year old kid. You are critically wounded and dying in the jungle somewhere in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam. It's November 11, 1967. LZ (landing zone) X-ray.

Your unit is outnumbered 8-1 and the enemy fire is so intense from 100 yards away, that your CO (commanding officer) has ordered the MedEvac 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 half 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 the sound of a helicopter. You look up to see a Huey coming in. But.. It doesn't seem real because no MedEvac markings are on it.

Captain Ed Freeman is coming in for you. He's not MedEvac so it's not his job, but he heard the radio call and decided he's flying his Huey down into the machine gun fire anyway. Even after the MedEvacs 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 3 of you at a time on board.

Then he flies you up and out through the gunfire to the doctors and nurses and safety. And,he kept coming back >13 MORE TIMES!< until all the wounded were out. No one knew until the mission was over that the Captain had been hit 4 times in the legs and left arm.

He took 29 of you and your buddies out that day. Some would not have made it without the Captain and his Huey.

Medal of Honor Recipient, Captain Ed Freeman, United States Army, died on 9-30-15 at the age of 70, in Boise, Idaho. May God Bless and Rest His Soul.

SADLY, his passing did not get the attention of our media; only today did I read about it --and not in the lamestream media! So take a moment to reflect on the selfless example of leadership demonstrated by Army Captain Ed Freeman and take pride in knowing that you are standing in shoes he left. Honor his legacy.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 5 at 2015 12:13 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:13:58 -0500

A story of true courage. Thank you for posting it!

Response by SSG(P) D. Wright Downs made Dec 5 at 2015 12:42 PM

SSG(P) D. Wright Downs — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:42:43 -0500

Rest in peace Cpt Ed Freeman, USAF. Thank you, Cpt Jeff Schwagger, USMC, Ret, for posting this.

Response by Diane Szymanski made Dec 5 at 2015 12:51 PM

Diane Szymanski — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 12:51:44 -0500

Hero. His story needs to be heard. Honoring and remembering.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Dec 5 at 2015 1:04 PM

SSG Gerhard S. — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 13:04:07 -0500

A story of great heroism that cannot be repeated often enough.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Dec 5 at 2015 1:27 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 13:27:08 -0500

Capt Jeff S. My generation did what it had to do in VN and never received the credit.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Dec 5 at 2015 1:34 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 13:34:21 -0500

Capt Jeff S. CPT Ed "too tall" Freeman was an ARMY officer, Armor branch. One of my branches heroes.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 2:10 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 14:10:06 -0500

I am so suprised! The Idaho Statesman did not publish it? I served for 18 months with the IDARNG in Iraq OIF 3/4. This is not like them to not honor him!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 5 at 2015 2:24 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 14:24:19 -0500

That pilot had love for his fellow soldiers.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 2:40 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 14:40:50 -0500

This scene from that brave pilot I think was shown in the movie "We were soldiers once and young"

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2015 3:12 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 15:12:08 -0500

It is a great story that should continue to be passed on for inspiration!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Dec 5 at 2015 4:15 PM

LTC John Shaw — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 16:15:33 -0500

So happy that you posted! This hero must be remembered.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Dec 5 at 2015 5:32 PM

SGT Scott Bell — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 17:32:32 -0500

His story needs to be heard.

Response by PO3 Brad Phlipot made Dec 5 at 2015 6:00 PM

PO3 Brad Phlipot — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 18:00:39 -0500

RIP Capt Freeman and may you find peace and comfort now that you are at rest. God Bless.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Dec 5 at 2015 6:19 PM

PO1 Brian Austin — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 18:19:31 -0500

I'm in no way meaning to take anything away from your post, but CPT Freeman actually passed on 20 Aug 2008 from Parkinson's disease. Facebook strikes again :)
http://www.cmohs.org/news-detail/7/moh-recipient-ed-w-freeman-has-died.php

CPT Freeman was the wingman for his CO Maj. Bruce Crandall, both were awarded the MOH for that battle. A 1st MOH for that battle was awarded to 2LT Walter Marm.

True heroes! All three deserve to have their story told and remembered and their legacy honored.

I've read the book We Were Soldiers...and Young by Col. Hal Moore and Joseph Galloway numerous times, it's an excellent read! And i've also watched the movie i don't know how many times. It's excellent as well IMO.

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Dec 7 at 2015 4:02 AM

SSG Michael Hathaway — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 04:02:21 -0500

And this is the kind of story the mainstream media needs to report. This may even be a good movie concept, if hollywood weren't such a bastard sensationalized crapshoot.

I am proud to follow in the footsteps of great men and women like CPT Freeman and many others.

Response by SGT James Bradley made Jan 5 at 2022 1:24 PM

SGT James Bradley — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 13:24:44 -0500

Pure unaldulerated courage. I salute the Huey pilot who should have received or maybe he did the MOH.