40 years later, helicopter pilot awarded Silver Star

Stars and Stripes European edition ^ | January 25, 2006 | Kevin Dougherty

[mdittmar]

Col. Michael Ryan, assistant division commander for maneuvers for the 1st Armored Division, pins the Silver Star on retired Chief Warrant Officer 4 Walter Schramm during a ceremony at Fliegerhorst Casern in Hanau, Germany, on Tuesday. Schramm earned the Silver Star for gallantry in action on Feb. 17, 1966, flying a helicopter in the Bong Son mountains in Vietnam.

[SeeRushToldU_So]

That is a cool bump.

[Marine_Uncle]

And let us all stand smartly at attention and salute this brave soldier for a job very well done.

[billorites]

Wow. Viet Nam vets are getting old.

75 y.o. Huey pilot.

Way cool!

[SandRat]

Silver Star Awarded 40 years late.

[billorites]

Click on the picture.

There's music.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[Cannoneer No. 4]

ping

[fatima]

So nice,bump.

[cavtrooper21]

About time!
(I bet the troopers he evacd that day recognize him every day in thankful prayer.)

[TADSLOS]

Thanks for the ping, Cannoneer. Those Vietnam era helicopter pilots were my inspiration to become an Army Aviator. They were real innovators, heroic, crazy and had to be damned good pilots to have a chance to survive in the environment they flew and fought in. I'm damned proud of 'em. They are the legacy of modern Army Aviation and we are still learning from them (and re-applying their battle proven tactics now as well to devastating effect).

[joesnuffy]

To the wounded troops on the ground, the sight of Schramm’s UH-1D Huey helicopter landing must have seemed like some divine deliverance.

Guaranteed...

[MEG33]

Hero bump!

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

1966 Bong Son Pictures:

http://www.lzxray.com/guyer_set2.htm
(3rd & 4th Pictures down)


Signed:.."ALOHA RONNIE" Guyer
Veteran-Battle of BONG SON-1966


.

[ASA Vet]

They were real innovators, heroic, crazy

Crazy? Talk about understatement.

The first time I got into a chopper the right seat pilot had "Xin Loi Charlie" on the back of his helmet. The left side pilot's bore "Mad Dog."
Half of that flight I was looking straight down at the ground hoping those belts would really hold.
The other half I was looking straight up while the guys on the other side got to enjoy picking the leaves off trees.
I knew what NOE was, but the first time it's just a triffle TERRIFIING!

Those guys were good.

[mdittmar]

Worked with a great guy on a golfcourse in Scottsdale,Az about 10 years ago,he walked with a bad limp,asked him about it over beers one night.

"Vietnam,flew choppers,hard landing".

That's all he said,I never brought it up again,either did he.

[Thunder 6]

His descendants are doing the same work today in Afghanistan and Iraq. Good to see him recognized for his skill and bravery.

Regards,

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Americanwolf]

Awesome! simply awesome! :)


To all the Vietnam Vets here.... Thanks guys for showing all that followed that American Grit and determination will win a war even when the cards are stacked against you.... as long as you keep the F*$%#@$% Politicans out of it. Thanks fellas we can never repay you for your service, but can honor you for it and learn from.

[Khurkris]

"To the wounded troops on the ground, the sight of Schramm’s UH-1D Huey helicopter landing must have seemed like some divine deliverance."
Guaranteed...

Amen to that.