"Charlie" Y'Diam Hmok was laid to rest yesterday.
Charlie's first military service was when he was 12 YO, and a member of his father's partisan guerrilla group that lured occupying Japanese soldiers into ambushes. Later, Charlie was a member of a reinforcing Montagnard unit that parachuted into Dien Bien Phu the night before the French surrendered. Charlie was wounded there and did not like to tell that story except to discuss the French army.
When American Special Forces arrived in South Vietnam, Charlie served with Special Forces A-503, Project Omega, and B-55 Mike Force. Charlie was a Montagnard company Commander in B-55 as we left. He then became a Battalion Commander. After the fall, Charlie was imprisioned for 8 years by the Vietnamese for his support of America's efforts to free his people. Charlie was finally liberated and arrived in America with his wife about 7 years ago.
Before the service, I visited Charlie's open coffin at the church. Charlie's son escorted me to the alter. I Prayed for Charlie, his family and the Montagnard people. I prayed for all Special Forces warriors and their families. Before leaving Charlie's side, I reached down, into the casket, and rubbed the Special Forces crest that gleamed against a 5th Special Forces Group, Airborne background, on the Green Beret Charlie was holding in both hands. I had often seen Charlie wearing that Green Beret comfortably and proudly at military and civilian functions in Greensboro, Ft Bragg and North Carolina. As my hand brushed against his, I wanted to pull him up. I yearned for the sound of a medivac bird for him.
Knowing it was not to be, I saluted a warrior for the last time.
Many Green Berets and more than 50 Montagnards from every American Special Forces unit Charlie served in, attended the service. More Special Forces veterans and Montagnards from every tribe, Cambodians, Nungs and American civilians were also in attendance. Charlie was a true hero of freedom.
Charlie's family has been and continue to be key figures in Southeast Asia working for Montagnard freedom from oppression. While it is not suitable for the internet, I assure you liberation efforts initiated by Charlie continue to bear fruit to this moment.
My buddy, George, and Charlie's closest American Special Forces combat friend told me tonight...Thank God Charlie died free!
George and his bride have invited Charlie's wife to live with them.
In 1969, over 50,000 Montagnard tribesmen were fighting for the American 5th Special Forces Group, Airborne.
At least 85,000 Montagnards died while fighting on the Special Forces payroll.
unclewest |
