The late Col. Robert Howard
The late Col. Robert Howard (second from left), one of America's highest-decorated soldiers during the Vietnam War. (Source: Militaryphotos.net)
Col. Howard was nominated for the Medal of Honor three times in just over a year. Read Howard’s Medal of Honor citation here.
In: Images, Military History · Tagged with: Robert L. Howard, Vietnam War
“Heavenly Herd” River Crossing
Paratroopers of the U.S. 2nd Battalion, 173rd Airborne Brigade hold their automatic weapons above water as they cross a river in the rain during a search for Viet Cong positions in the jungle area of Ben Cat, South Vietnam, Sept. 25, 1965. ( AP / Henri Huet)
In: Images, Military History · Tagged with: 173rd Airborne Brigade, Vietnam War
Crawling through the rice paddy
Private First Class Lacey Skinner of Birmingham, Ala., crawls through the mud of a rice paddy in January of 1966, avoiding heavy Viet Cong fire near An Thi in South Vietnam, as troops of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division fight a fierce 24-hour battle along the central coast. (AP Photo/Henri Huet)
In: Images, Military History · Tagged with: Vietnam War
The Battle of Hill 881
For 12 days in 1967, two battalions of Marines defeated several NVA battalions dug in on hills near Khe Sanh. After aerial bombardments and numerous assaults on the hills, the heavily-outnumbered Marines eventually took the objective, killing nearly 1000 NVA soldiers. 155 Marines were killed and 455 wounded during the battle.
Marines during the Battle of Hill 881. Source: Marine Corps Gazette, photo by David Powell
Time magazine covered the battle in a May, 1967 issue.
In: Military History · Tagged with: US Marine Corps, Vietnam War
Medal of Honor history: Howard and Yano
42 years ago, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Howard was on a joint patrol of U.S. and South Vietnamese troops when the unit was attacked by 250 North Vietnamese soldiers. After regaining consciousness from an explosion which riddled his body with shrapnel, Howard killed an enemy soldier who was wielding a flamethrower before dragging his commanding officer to safety. Howard then shoots several enemies with his pistol before being wounded once more in the foot, preventing him from walking. He then sets up a defensive position, repelling numerous attacks.
Howard, who retired in 1992 as a Colonel was believed to be the most decorated soldier since Vietnam. He was nominated for the Medal of Honor three times in just over a year. Due to the covert nature of his operations, the other actions were downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross (he was awarded two) and the Silver Star. He received eight Purple Hearts – tied with four other soldiers for the record – and was wounded 14 times in his 54 months of combat during the Vietnam War. He was one of only two soldiers to be awarded both the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross. He also was awarded four Bronze Stars, in addition to numerous other awards for valor. Read his citation here.
One year later, Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Yano was a crewmember aboard a command-and-control helicopter that was engaged with enemy forces near Bien Hoa. As Yano fired smoke and white phosphorous marking rounds to identify enemy positions for artillery strikes, a grenade detonated prematurely in the helicopter’s cabin, covering Yano with burning phosphorous and igniting the remaining ammunition. Despite his serious wounds, he began throwing the exploding ammunition overboard, causing further injuries – and ultimately his life – but sparing the helicopter and crew. Read his citation here.
In: Military History · Tagged with: Medal of Honor, Robert L. Howard, Vietnam War
Vietnam veterans of the NFL
Rocky Bleier: Drafted in the 16th round of the 1968 NFL draft, Bleier figured that he would be sent to the National Guard or Reserves like many of the other NFL draftees, but he was instead sent to Vietnam with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. Bleier was hit by rifle fire and grenade shrapnel, and informed by his doctor that he would never play football again. However, he eventually returned to become the Steeler’s fourth all-time rushing leader and winning four Super Bowls with the Steelers.
Joseph Bellino: Earned the Heisman Trophy in 1960 for the Naval Academy, and was drafted by both the NFL’s Washington Redskins and the AFL’s New England Patriots in 1961. Bellino joined the Navy and served a total of 28 years before retiring as a Captain.
John Butler: Served four years with the Marine Corps, including service in Vietnam. Although his playing career was cut short by a knee injury, Butler eventually became the General Manager of the San Diego Chargers. Butler died from cancer in 2003.
Joe Haering: Received his commission after graduating from Bucknell – where he earned all-conference honors at linebacker – and served as a company commander in Vietnam. Haering would go on to become an assistant coach for numerous teams in the NFL.
Ralph Heywood: After playing only five games for USC in 1943, Heywood was drafted by the Marine Corps and sent to the South Pacific aboard the USS Iowa. Despite his short season, he was selected as an All American end and punter. Following the war, he played five seasons for both the NFL and AFL before returning to the military for the Korean War. Heywood remained in the Marines for 32 years before retiring as Colonel. He is the only NFL player to have served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Heywood passed on in 2007.
Roger Staubach: The Cowboys drafted in 1964 out of the Naval Academy where he earned the Heisman Trophy, but had to fulfill his military commitment. Volunteered for a tour in Vietnam where he served as a supply officer. Staubach returned to the NFL in 1969 and would eventually play in four Super Bowls – winning two – and be inducted to the Hall of Fame.
Fellow Hall of Famers Charlie Joiner and Ray Nitschke are listed as having served during the Vietnam era.
Bob Kalsu: Drafted in 1968 by the Buffalo Bills and was the team’s rookie of the year. In order to complete his ROTC commitment, Kalsu became a second lieutenant and went to Vietnam as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He was killed in action on July 21, 1970 near the A Shau Valley.
Don Steinbrunner: Played tackle for the Cleveland Browns before a career-ending knee injury. Steinbrunner joined the Air Force and served as a navigator and assistant coach at the Air Force Academy. Steinbrunner was sent to Vietnam and offered a safe assignment which he turned down. On July 20, 1967, the C-123 plane that Steinbrunner and five other airmen were flying on was shot down, killing all on board.
Kalsu and Steinbrunner are the only NFL veterans to be killed in combat during the Vietnam War.
Les Steckel: Enlisted in the Marines and served in Vietnam with the infantry. Served for 30 years before retiring as a Colonel. Played on the Marines’ Quantico football team after Vietnam. Worked as a coach or coordinator for numerous college and NFL teams for several years.
Andy Russell: After being drafted by the Steelers in 1963, Russell played one year before joining the Army from 1964-1965 and serving as a lieutenant in Germany. Russell went on to be a seven-time Pro Bowl selection at outside linebacker. (h/t John)
Sid Brooks: The longtime equipment manager for the San Diego Chargers served in the Air Force during both the Korean and Vietnam wars before retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant. Brooks passed away in 2007.
Charlie Johnson: Drafted by the Eagles in 1973, Johnson served as an MP in Vietnam before going on to become a three-time Pro Bowler as a defensive tackle.
Eddie LeBaron: Played 11 seasons at quarterback for the Redskins and Cowboys from 1952-1963. LeBaron served as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps during both the Korean and Vietnam wars, earning a Bronze Star.
Willie Miller: Before attending Colorado State University, Miller served two tours in Vietnam with the Special Forces, earning a Silver Star. Despite being a 28 years old during his rookie season, Miller played seven years at wide receiver and went to the Super Bowl with the Rams.
Willie Betlon, Gary Bugenhagen, Woody Campbell, Ernie Cheatham, Jim Clack, Moses Denson, Glen Ellison, Alvin Hall, Cliff Harris, Cornelius Johnson, Howard Kindig, MacArthur Lane, Gary Larsen, Joe Don Looney, Mike Montler, Don Talbert, and Herb Travenio are also listed as having served in Vietnam.
In: Military History · Tagged with: Vietnam War
Medal of Honor history: Allen J. Lynch
43 years ago, Private Allen J. Lynch crossed a kill zone multiple times and killed numerous enemies in order to rescue three wounded comrades. He appeared at the Pritzker Military Library in 2007 and the video of his appearance is worth watching. Read his citation here.
In: Military History · Tagged with: Medal of Honor, Vietnam War
Medal of Honor history: Modrzejewski and Pope
44 years ago, Capt. Robert J. Modrzejewski and his men of Company K, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines, THIRD Marine Division were inserted by helicopter into an enemy-infested jungle near the De-Militarized Zone. Their mission was to set up a blocking position for a major enemy trail network.
Shortly after landing, the company encountered a reinforced enemy platoon in a well-organized, defensive position. Major Modrzejewski led his men in the successful seizure of the enemy redoubt, which contained large quantities of ammunition and supplies. That evening, a numerically superior enemy force counterattacked in an effort to retake the vital supply area, thus setting the pattern of activity for the next 2 1/2 days.
The citation states that Modrzejewski was “constantly present wherever the fighting was heaviest, despite numerous casualties, a dwindling supply of ammunition and the knowledge that they were surrounded…”
In September 1944, Marine Corps Captain Everett P. Pope earned the Medal of Honor for his valiant leadership against overwhelming odds on Peleliu. Pope and his men held the strategic hill against Japanese suicide attacks. When ammunition ran low, the Marines resorted to using rocks and bare fists.
In: Military History · Tagged with: Medal of Honor, Vietnam War, World War II
Medal of Honor history: Roberts and Barfoot
41 years ago in Thua Thien Province, Republic of Vietnam, Sergeant Gordon R. Roberts’ platoon embarked on helicopters to assist another company who was surrounded and heavily outnumbered by the NVA. Once Roberts and his men arrived, they were pinned down by heavy automatic weapons and grenade fire. Roberts would gallantly charge and destroy four bunkers and later assist in rescuing wounded comrades.
Roberts is the only Medal of Honor recipient still serving in the Armed Forces.
66 years ago on May 23 near Carano, Italy, Technical Sergeant Van T. Barfoot and his element were heavily engaged by a well-fortified enemy that held the commanding ground. Barfoot crawled forward, destroying an enemy machine gun position with a grenade, causing another machine gun position to surrender, capturing more than a dozen prisoners. When the enemy counterattacked, Barfoot destroyed a tank with his bazooka, and he moved forward into enemy territory to destroy a German fieldpiece with a satchel charge. Upon returning, Barfoot then assisted two wounded men to safety.
In: Military History · Tagged with: Medal of Honor, Vietnam War, World War II
Medal of Honor history: Roger H.C. Donlon
46 years ago, a reinforced battalion of Viet Cong soldiers launched a predawn attack against Camp Nam Dong, a small outpost just east of Laos. In the five hours of intense fighting that followed, Captain Roger H.C. Dalton would earn the Medal of Honor and his Operational Detachment A-726 would become one of the most decorated teams in history. Donlon was repeatedly wounded during the attack, which killed three Green Berets, one Australian advisor, and 55 of the camp’s South Vietnamese and Nung defenders. 65 defenders were wounded.
Despite being heavily outnumbered, the battle was a pyhhric victory for the defenders.
Donlon’s incredible citation can be read here.
In: Military History · Tagged with: Medal of Honor, Vietnam War
