Medal of Honor Host City Program of Gainesville Texas

Recipient Alejandro Ruiz passes at 85

November 25, 2009

Again the death angel sings… we stand at 92

By modern standards the only problem with the WWII M1-Garand was its clip’s 8-round capacity… and that Ting!! sound when the bolt locked back after firing the last round, thus alerting the enemy you were outta ammo.

Army Private First Class Alejandro Ruiz knew all this as he lay pinned down by Jap automatic weapons fire coming from a network of concealed bunkers hidden on steep ridges near the village of Gasukuma, Okinawa.

Only he and his squad leader were battle effectives, the remainder of their platoon, dead or wounded.

The 22-year-old from New Mexico needed more firepower; he’d decided to attack the bunker complex. Grabbing a Browning automatic rifle (“BAR”) he calmly walked 35 yards of open ground to the first bunker. He climbed on top and was prepared to fire into it, but a ruptured cartridge jammed the Browning.

Seeing the soldier in the open and essentially unarmed, a Jap soldier charged , and Pfc. Ruiz beat him down with the jammed weapon. Now completely unarmed, he ran back through the grenade explosions and gunfire to his platoon  position, retrieved a second BAR, tested it, grabbed extra ammo and ran ran back top the enemy bunkers.

By now all the Jap gunners realized that Ruiz was the only American threat to them. Firing in unison, the enemies’ rounds found him, wounding him in the leg. Undeterred, and despite his injury, Pfc. Ruiz climb back on top of the pillboxes. spraying bursts of gunfire into the apertures, leaping fro one to the next to deliver devastating fire.

Read rest of story here.

No contest… the Medal of Honor against a craven homeowners’ association

Dec. 4, 2009—Colonel Van Barfoot fought and helped defeat the Nazis and the communists twice, yet now, even at age 90 his enemies are still at the gate.

The retired Army officer has dug in against his home owners association in Richmond Virginia because they’ve threatened legal action for flying his US flag on a 21-foot tall pole.

He raises the American flag every morning on the pole, then lowers and folds the flag at dusk each day in a three-corner military fashion.

Van Barfoot was given until 5 p.m. today by the Richmond law firm of Coates & Davenport  to remove his flagpole or face "legal action being brought to enforce the Covenants and Restrictions against you." The letter states that Barfoot will be subject to paying all legal fees and costs in any successful legal proceeding pursued by the homeowner association's board.

Barfoot moved to the Sussex Square community in western Henrico County last July, and was ordered to remove the flagpole from his front lawn when he flew the flag on Labor Day, and again on Veterans Day.

The HOA said he could not use his flagpole "for aesthetic reasons.”

This is the respect shown to a man who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his action following the Anzio landing in early 1944.

Then a tech sergeant, Barfoot advanced alone through a Nazi minefield, following ditches and depressions, until he came within a few yards of a machine gun on the German flank. After taking out the gun with a hand grenade, he entered the German trench and advanced on a second machine gun, killing two soldiers and capturing three others. When he reached a third gun, the entire crew surrendered to him. Others also surrendered and Barfoot captured a total of seventeen German soldiers, and killed eight.

When the Germans launched an armored counterattack later in the day, Barfoot disabled one tank with a bazooka, then advanced into enemy-held territory and destroyed an abandoned German artillery piece. He returned to his own lines and helped two wounded soldiers from his squad to the rear.

Rest of story here.

Leonard Keller, 62, killed in tragic mishap

Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipient Leonard “Len” Keller, 62,  died at Sunday afternoon in after being critically injured in a motorcycle accident only minutes after being honored at the U.S. Navy Fleet Reserve Association in Pensacola Florida.

Sergeant Keller was cited for heroic action in May, 1967 when his unit was assaulted by superior enemy forces near Ap Bac, South Vietnam.

Police reports indicate that Keller was thrown from his three-wheeled Harley Davidson after leaving the association’s parking lot.

A two-tour Army veteran, Keller had recently retired after a 28-year career as a civilian in the supply unit at Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Captain Bill Reavey, commanding officer of Pensacola NAS, called Keller's death "a national loss."

"Len was a very humble guy. What he did was just amazing," said Reavey, who spoke at Keller's retirement party in December.  "If you met him and then you read his citation, you'd never know it was him. What he did was super human. He saved numerous lives that day."

Keller’s citation indicates that: 

"Sgt. Keller quickly moved to a position where he could fire at a bunker from which automatic fire was received, killing one Viet Cong who attempted to escape."

"Leaping to the top of a dike, he and a comrade charged the enemy bunkers, dangerously exposing themselves to the enemy fire."

He then charged a second bunker, killing all occupants, and then attacked five more bunkers, neutralizing all remaining enemy resistance.

"During their furious assault, Sgt. Keller and his comrade had been almost continuously exposed to intense sniper fire as the enemy desperately sought to stop their attack," the citation reads.

His ammunition exhausted, Keller returned to his platoon to assist in the evacuation of the wounded.

"I'm not any different than any of the other people who were there," he said in an interview. "I just received the Medal. A lot of guys out there deserved medals too, they just didn't make it."

                                    

We didn’t know Len really well, but he was quiet, reserved, of good humor and was enjoying his retirement when I spoke briefly with him last month in Chicago at the Medal of Honor Society’s annual convention.

Recently retired, he good-naturedly accepted the ribbing from his fellow Recipients after adopting a longer hair style and a beard after almost 30 years working aboard Navy Air Station, Pensacola.

The ranks of the Recipients are more familiar than most of us about the random nature of Death, but among their dwindling numbers, each passing is a grievous loss.

We stand at 94.

Host City Documentary premiers in April

"The nation which does not honor its heroes will not long endure."

I am pleased to announce that after a year in production, "A Hero's Welcome"-- the documentary of our Medal of Honor Host City Program-- is a wrap and will premier April 4 as the highlight of our ninth annual Medal of Honor Weekend.

Another highlight of this year's celebration will be the 100th birthday of senior Medal of Honor Recipient and Pearl Harbor hero, John Finn.

The film production company--Lightning Bear Studios--became interested in our program last year after learning that a large number of Medal of Honor Recipients would be the guests of this small North Texas town.

Michael Brown, the documentary's executive producer, said there has been some interest shown by a major studio and that "A Hero's Welcome" would be a natural for the History or Military channels.

Our Host City Program is the only one of its kind in the nation and consistently one of the largest gatherings of Recipients other than their official events such as  presidential inaugurations and National Medal of Honor Day, March 25.

This does not, cannot happen in New York, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles or certainly not in San Francisco.... the message of the documentary is evidence of what I believe "Real America" believes about patriotism, service, sacrifice and our nation's heroes, and proves it.    

Our non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation is an all-volunteer effort which pays for travel and most expenses of our Recipients and their spouse or companion during Medal of Honor Weekend.

As the program's founder Don Pettigrew, says, "We want them to understand that their money's no good here; it's the very least we can do."

In addition we gave each Recipient a $250 stipend each day they are with us per calendar year.

Since 2001 the Host City Program has brought the Recipients' patriotic message to more than 10,000 students which is the underlying purpose of our efforts.

                                      

Our simple mission statement:

"It shall be the privilege and responsibility... to Welcome the Nation's Medal of Honor Recipients at every opportunity.

"In doing so, we pay homage to the principles which the Medal of Honor represents... Duty, Honor, Country." 

                                       

I hope to have our new website up and running in a few weeks, we will offer MOH books (some signed), clothing, caps, posters, challenge coins and photographs. Memberships, donations and merchandise purchases are appreciated; all proceeds go directly or indirectly to our Recipients.

The sacrifice continues; to date five Medals of Honor--all posthumous--have been awarded in the vicious Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

According to its by-laws, the Congressional Medal of Honor Society will disband once membership drops to 25.

With only 98 living Recipients the chance of meeting someone who has earned the nation's highest award for valor is literally millions:one; most people will never meet a Recipient. Yet Gainesville is honored to have had a total of 22 as guests, with an average of 8-10 each MOH Weekend.

In the last year seven Recipients passed away, leaving 24 from WWII, 14 from the Korean War and 60 of the Vietnam War.

All of you are invited the first week of April every year to this great and patriotic community where we stand up for and with those who have "borne the battle" and ensured our freedom with their very lives.

Documentary Premier highlights '09 MOH Weekend

GAINESVILLE –More than 20 Recipients of the nation’s highest award for valor have been invited for the annual Medal of Honor Weekend, April 1-5, which is fast gaining national attention.

Highlighting this year’s celebration will the be premier of “A Hero’s Welcome”, a documentary film by Denton and Los Angeles-based Lightening Bear Productions which filmed last year’s Medal of Honor Week events and shot additional footage in Gainesville over a several month period.

The high-definition, wide-screen documentary runs more than an hour and was directed by Emmy Award-winning director, Javier Sanchez; it will be screened at Gainesville’s State Theater on Saturday evening, April 4.

Ticket prices for the dinner and limited premier seating will be announced soon.

Click here for A Hero's Welcome web site.

Executive producer Michael J. Brown said that he was captivated by both the story of Gainesville and its support of the Host City Program as well as the Recipients themselves, specifically John Finn, the nation’s oldest Medal of Honor Recipient.  He earned his Medal in the opening moments of WWII during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and will celebrate his 100th birthday during the weekend's activities.

Mr. Finn, shown below, has attended the local event the last two years and McHorse said “we hope he’s able to come this year so we can help him celebrate his 100^th birthday.”

Over several months in 2008, Brown and Sanchez and the team shot more interviews and returned to Gainesville many times. During this period, Brown also sent his filmmakers to Mr. Finn's isolated ranch located northeast of San Diego, in  East San Diego County. There, they filmed exclusive interviews with the Medal of Honor Recipient.

Finn’s interviews almost 68 years after his WWII heroics are a significant element of “A Hero’s Welcome” woven within Gainesville’s long history as a patriotic and pro-military community, and the growth of the Medal of Honor Host City Program.

The film's message is one of honor, remembrance, and pride. The film documents nearly a dozen Medal of Honor recipients and the average Americans who stood up to remember them.  Brown said the entire crew couldn't be more pleased than "to have been part of such an experience." After almost a year's worth of work, A Hero's Welcome will be completed in February of 2009.

Many local residents and volunteers with the Host City Program appear in the film, expressing their pride in their town and importance of bringing such national heroes to the attention of school children country-wide.

The three-day event is now in its ninth year, and roughly half the invitees have confirmed their attendance.

“There are only 98 living Recipients of the Medal of Honor; we’ve lost seven since last year’s event,” said Mike McHorse, president of the Host City Program. “ He added that 24 WWII, 14 Korean War and 60 Vietnam War Recipients survive.

“These men constitute a rare and dwindling natural resource. We want to give our young people and students the opportunity meet and be inspired by these men who have given so much, and continue to give to our nation,” McHorse said.

To date the Host City Program has hosted more than 20 individual Recipients who have met and spoken with approximately 10,000 Cooke Co. students.

We stand at 98.....

America has lost it's last    World War II Medal of Honor Recipient aviator.

Marine triple-ace James "Jim" Swett, 88, passed away Sunday at his home in Redding California after a long illness.

Funeral services are set for 11 a.m. tomorrow at McDonald’s Redding Chapel followed by a 12:45 p.m. burial with full military honors at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, a small community just west of Redding.

He is survived by his wife, Verna, of Redding; two sons, James Jr. of the Seattle area and John of Redwood City, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His first wife, the former Lois Anderson, preceded him in death in 1998.

Colonel Swett's passing ends a remarkable era of aerial heroism during the greatest war in American history; and brings to 98 the number of living Medal of Honor Recipients. Only 24 WWII Recipients survive.

Swett good- naturedly once said that notoriety can at times be a “damn nuisance.”

Swett said that he was pulled over more times than he could remember by inquisitive California Highway Patrol officers due to his distinctive Medal of Honor license plates.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, Col. Swett's decorations include two Purple Hearts, six Distinguished Flying Cross medals and 21 Air Medals.

Swett's Medal of Honor action saw him shoot down seven Japanese bombers within 15 minutes and he said that 30 minutes of combat over the Florida group of the Solomon Islands with VMF-221 forever changed his life.

And... he became an ace on his first mission.

Nett's death leaves 99

Colonel Robert B. Nett's 30 years in uniform spanned the  bloodiest three decades in American history.  

The three-war career solider passed away Sunday at his home in Connecticut after a full life of service to his nation, state and community.

Colonel Nett's funeral will be held at Fort Benning's chapel tomorrow morning; a graveside service at the Fort Benning Cemetery will follow.

He was 86.   

Rest of story here.

Nathan Gordon, Medal of Honor Recipient, flies West

World War II U.S. Naval aviator Nathan Gordon, who saved the lives of 15 fellow air crewmen and earned the Medal of Honor, died Sept. 8 in his hometown of Little Rock Arkansas.   

His passing at age 92 brings to 100 the number of living Recipients, and leaves triple ace, Marine Jim Swett, the sole surviving WWII flier honored with the nation's highest military award for valor in the cockpit.

Only 26 WWII Recipients remain.

Gordon was also Arkansas' longest serving Lt. Governor, having held the office from 1947 to 1967. He was succeeded in this post by another WWII Medal of Honor Recipient, Footsie Britt.

(Photo courtesy of Capt. Kevin M. Mansfield, 39th IBCT Camp Slayer, Iraq)

February 15, 1944 - Rescue Mission to Kavieng

Gordon, 92, flying a Catalina BBY "Flying Boat", and his crew made four separate landings in rough seas to save the crews of four B25 bombers which have been forced to ditch on their return from combat missions over the New Britain Islands.    

Following radioed directions, Gordon made his first landing only to find cash debris and floating life vests.

There were no apparent survivors. Battling waves 15 to 18 feet high, the young lieutenant was soon airborne again in search of other downed fliers.  

Twice more that afternoon Gordon landed and took ff, braving intense Japanese fire to pull Army aviators, many seriously wounded, from almost certain death.       

Then, dangerously overloaded, Gordon "made a brilliant takeoff despite heavy swells and almost total absence of wind and set a course for base, only to receive the report of another group stranded in a rubber life raft 600 yards from the enemy shore. Promptly turning back, he again risked his life to set his plane down under direct fire of the heaviest defenses of Kavieng and take aboard 6 more survivors."

Gordon, his seven-man crew (each award the Silver Star for the action) and 15 very lucky soldiers finally headed for home.

Later, Gordon and his men were flown to Brisbane, Australia where a Vice-Admiral made the award presentations.

Gordon's Medal of Honor is displayed at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History. (Click for a detailed interview with Gordon in 2003 courtesy of PacificWrecks.com.)

He will be honored and long remembered... especially by 15 American families who might never have been. 

Ed "Too Tall to Fly" Freeman flies West; 101 remain

BOISE, Idaho — Funeral services will be held Saturday for Maj. Edward Freeman, a retired Army helicopter pilot awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam. who died Wednesday after a lengthy illness.

Freeman will be buried at the Idaho Veterans Cemetery in Boise.

He was 80.

His death brings to 101 the number of living Medal of Honor recipients.

Nicknamed "Too Tall" because at 6'3" he exceeded the Army's maximum height requirement for helicopters, Freeman was a former infantry sergeant who fought another pitched battle--"Pork Chop Hill"--years before in Korea.   

Rest of story:

Michael Daly passes... now 102 remain

Not old enough to vote, Lt. Michael J. Daly was leading his company through war-torn German in early 1945 when he earned his placed in history.

Funeral services are Tuesday for Daly, 83, who died Friday just six weeks before the Congressional Medal of Honor's Society's annual convention.

Full story here.