Posted on 02/22/2011 10:27:38 AM PST by llevrok
Wow, what a soldier.
God bless him and his family. America is a free nation because of folks like him.
Kathy Strong’s loyalty is inspirational. Loyalty is an under-appreciated virtue.
WA state (hero) ping
She wore the bracelet regularly all her life? That is astonishing if true, and I suppose it is true, as she got to know his family. Amazing. Thank God!
Your duty is done, Soldier. You can rest now. THANK YOU.
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
I graduated from high school in June, 1967.
It seems like a hundred years ago.
Welcome home, Les.
Reason: For gallantry in action while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Specialist Four Moreland distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 6 and 7 February 1968 while serving with the Special Forces during an attack on the Lang Vei Camp. North Vietnamese Army tanks and infantrymen launched a ravaging attack on the compound on the night of 6 February and inflicted numerous casualties on the defenders. Braving withering cannon, mortar and machine gun fire, Specialist Moreland moved through a hail of bullets and shrapnel to treat the wounded. When the attackers overran the outer perimeter, he secured anti-tank weapons and grenades, joined a hastily formed tank killer team and moved to engage, the hostile armor. He advanced to point blank range and assisted in destroying one tank with highly effective fire. With bullets striking all around him, he then maneuvered to the command bunker to resupply himself with ammunition. He was seriously wounded when the position received a direct hit and was neutralized. Specialist Four Moreland's gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Authority: By direction of the President under the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved 9 July 1918.
RIP.
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I graduated in June 1967 as well. It seems like a lifetime ago, and it was because I was a 17 year old without a real reference point in life.
Rest in peace, Les.
PING - a hero returns.
That’s a great story...
I dated a gal a few years ago who wore a MIA braclets so I know some people still wear them. She was in in her 20s at the time so it wasn’t from the 1970s.
This is wonderful news.
Welcome home faithful servant.
“Your duty is done, Soldier. You can rest now. THANK YOU.”
He’s been at rest for a long time. Now the rest of us can rest, for him, at least. There are still nearly 84,000 of our brothers still missing from the past several wars, not to mention those lost in previous centuries.
It’s never too late to say ‘thank you’ though. A lot of his comrades at arms missed that, 43 years ago. Thank you for remembering them today.
WRM, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)
This story made my monitor get crazy blurry. The way our men returning from VN were treated back in the late 60’s/early 70’s was an absolute disgrace that still brings very emotional responses here.
“It seems like a hundred years ago.”
I left for Vietnam on 5-July-1967. I believe it WAS a hundred years ago.
mine, too. I was 12 when this guy left for Nam. I enlisted in 1973, and experienced some of the backlash they were getting by then.
I’m not saying all those guys were angels, but most of them were kids just like me. Trying to do their duty for friends, family, and country. They did not deserve to be accused of the things they were accused of.
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