Ed Freeman

Ed Freeman

Infobox Military Person
name=Ed W. Freeman
born= November, 1927
died= August 20, 2008


caption=Ed Freeman (left) is congratulated by President George W. Bush after receiving his award.
nickname=Too Tall
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=
allegiance=United States of America
branch=United States Army
serviceyears=
rank= Major
unit=
commands=
battles=Vietnam
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Ed W. "Too Tall" Freeman (November 1927 - August 20, 2008) was a United States Army fixed- and rotary wing aircraft pilot who received the Medal of Honor on 16 July 2001 for his actions in the Battle of Ia Drang in 1965. As a helicopter pilot, he flew through gunfire more than 20 times during a single, ferocious battle, bringing supplies to a trapped battalion of United States soldiers and flying more than 70 wounded soldiers to safety. Freeman flew wingman for Major Bruce Crandall who also received the Medal of Honor for the same missions. He is also honored in the film "We Were Soldiers" and is played by Mark McCracken.

Medal of Honor citation

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.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War

References

* [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/07/images/20010716-1.html The White House]
* [http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/vietnam-a-l.html Army Medal of Honor website]

Persondata
NAME= Freeman, Ed
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH= November 1927
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH= 20 August 2008
PLACE OF DEATH= Boise, ID


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Freeman (Rappeur) — Nom Malek Brahimi Naissance 9 mai 1972 (37 ans) Alger, Algérie Pays d’origine …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Freeman (Familienname) — Freeman ist ein Familienname. Bekannte Namensträger Inhaltsverzeichnis A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Freeman (surname) — Freeman is a surname, and may refer to:* Alan Freeman (1927–2006) Australian born DJ * Alfred Percy Freeman (1888–1965) Kent cricketer, only bowler to take 300 wickets in a season * Antonio Freeman (born 1972), American football player * Ben… …   Wikipedia

  • Freeman — can mean any of the following:Things* An individual not tied to land under medieval serfdom, unlike a villein or serf * A person who has been awarded Freedom of the City or Freedom of the Company in a Livery Company * Freeman and Freeman II ,… …   Wikipedia

  • Freeman–Sheldon syndrome — Freeman Sheldon syndrome Classification and external resources ICD 9 759.89 …   Wikipedia

  • Freeman — steht für: Freeman (Familienname), der Familienname Freeman Freeman ist der Vorname folgender Personen: Freeman Barr (* 1973), Boxer von den Bahamas Freeman Dyson (* 1923), britisch amerikanischer Physiker Freeman Freeman Thomas, 1. Earl of… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Freeman Tilden — (* 22. August 1883 in Malden (Massachusetts); † 13. Mai 1980 in Warren (Maine)) war ein US amerikanischer Schriftsteller und Journalist. Er gilt als Begründer der Natur und Kulturinterpretation …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Freeman Dyson — Nacimiento 15 de diciembre de 1923 Crowthorne, Berkshire, Inglaterra …   Wikipedia Español

  • Freeman John Dyson — Freeman Dyson an der Harvard University Freeman John Dyson (* 15. Dezember 1923 in Crowthorne in Berkshire) ist ein englischer/US amerikanischer Physiker und Mathematiker …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Freeman-Maloy v. Marsden — revolves around a plaintiff, York University student Daniel Freeman Maloy, who held two protests at York University regarding the Israeli Palestinian conflict, disrupting classes. In response Lorna Marsden, President of York University, suspended …   Wikipedia

  • Freeman Dyson — an der Harvard University Freeman John Dyson (* 15. Dezember 1923 in Crowthorne in Berkshire) ist ein englischer/US amerikanischer Physiker und Mathematiker …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”