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Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neeka who wrote (42194)	5/4/2004 11:13:49 PM
From: unclewest	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 793755

I wonder how many other soldiers opted out of Vietnam after being awarded 3 Purple Hearts? If there are any, I wonder if they managed to do so in a four month time period? I don't often do this...but here is a war story for you to answer the question. Lt Jerry Sollenberger, Tank Platoon Leader, B Co, 1/69 Armor, 4th ID, was wounded and medevaced three times in six or seven days from the Ben Het Special Forces Camp at the Laotian/Cambodian border in late Feb and early March 1969. I was within a few meters of Jerry everytime he got hit. I called in all three dustoffs for him. Each time, after getting sewn up, he insisted on immediately returning to his platoon. After coming back the third time, he did accept a three day pass to the Vung Tau R&R Center then went back to his platoon in the field. Retired Special Forces Command Sergeant Major Richard Grier (then Sergeant First Class Grier) was wounded at least four times at Ben Het in 30 days. He accepted medical attention from a Surgeon just once and otherwise treated himself or had our medic care for his wounds. I was with Grier all four times. He was hit again a fifth time after I was medevaced. The last time the injuries were very severe, he too was shipped to Japan. After recovering Grier too went back to Nam. I have close contact and can put you in touch with both of these men and Jerry's company commander, Captain John Stovall, who was also severely wounded just a few meters from me after he came forward to replace Jerry on March 3rd. I had one of our guys keep Stovall alive all night and I also called in his dustoff bird. Two other members of that platoon were killed that night and we had their bodies beside us all night long. And I know more! Kerry lost his nerve. He is the only US Naval officer to abandon his men and his vessel in combat because he suffered three scratches. uw