We Were Soldiers: Which REAL Medals?

[Texas Star]

Many here saw the Mel Gibson movie, "We Were Soldiers", based on the book by the officer he played, Lt. Gen. Hal Moore. ("We Were Soldiers Once, and Young.")

I know that the two heroic helicopter piiots both eventually received the Medal of Honor, long overdue. And I read somewhere that Sgt. Savage, whose platoon was cut off and virtually annihilated, got the Distinguished Service Cross.

What other decorations did the real participants in this battle receive? Did Moore get an award? He seems to have been a very effective leader, who inspired his men.

I know that this alone, given difficult enough circumstances, can generate an award. John Masters, D.S.O. , serving as a brevet Brigadier, received the Distinguished Service Order for his command of the British strongpoint codenamed Backpool, in Burma during WW II. After India became independent in 1947, he retired and moved to the US, where he became a bestselling author.
If you can find his autobiography, in two books, you have treasures. "Bugles and a Tiger" is about prewar India. "The Road Past Mandalay" tells about the war in the Middle East and then in Burma.

Thanks,

T-Star

 

[sigp220.45]

In addition to the pilots, Lt Walter J. Marm was awarded the Medal of Honor for action in the Ia Drang Valley:

Walter Joseph Marm Jr.

 

[rocketdog]

Joseph Galloway (journalist) Bronze Star

Battle of la Drang - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If I read this correctly, Hal Moore and three other soldiers were awarded DSCs for their actions in the Ia Drang battle.

Wapedia - Wiki: Distinguished Service Cross (United States).

 

[rayb]

You need to read up on Cyril R "Rick" Rescorla, who was in the valley.

Read about him in the book first, then go google him on the web to get the final story.

Some people don't change.

rayb

 

[11B Lifer]

Just a footnote

My first Battalion Commander was Dudley Tademy. He was a forward observer who played a significant role in saving the unit depicted in the movie. At the time I was with him the majority of our leaders had been in Vietnam-many were highly decorated. Tademy was one of the finest officers I have known. He went on to become the Division Artillery Commander, 101st.

 

[kraigwy]

I had the pleasure of meeting Joseph Galloway at Walter Reed in Nov. 03. He was there autographing his book "We Were Soldiers, Once and Young" for the Gulf War Vets. I was was there to with my wife who was medivaced from the ME.

Galloway, after his stint with the First Cav. spent some time with the 101st. We had a nice little chat about the differances between the two wars. Though I wasnt wouldnt, or active in Iraq, he gave me a signed copy of his book also.

He thought and I agreed that it was strange the simularities between McNamaria and Rumsfield.

 

[Texas Star]

You need to read up on Cyril R "Rick" Rescorla, who was in the valley.

Read about him in the book first, then go google him on the web to get the final story.

Some people don't change.

rayb

Thanks. I know what became of him. Interesting man. It seems that reporter Joe Galloway participated in the battle, at least to the extent of risking his life to recover US wounded. He appears to have been the only civilian to receive the Bronze Star, at least during the Vietnam war.

T-Star

 

[Texas Star]

Joseph Galloway (journalist) Bronze Star

Battle of la Drang - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If I read this correctly, Hal Moore and three other soldiers were awarded DSCs for their actions in the Ia Drang battle.

Wapedia - Wiki: Distinguished Service Cross (United States).

Thanks. I read it. Looks like you nailed it!

T-Star

 

[Rule 303]

There are many Heroic Acts done by young men in combat that are never mentioned or awarded decorations.
I consider the award of the Combat Infantry Badge to be the finest award or decoration given to a ground combat soldier.
In the units I served in, they did not give those away because you were an Officer or a senior NCO looking to get your ticket punched for promotion stateside...

Rule 303

 

[Texas Star]

There are many Heroic Acts done by young men in combat that are never mentioned or awarded decorations.
I consider the award of the Combat Infantry Badge to be the finest award or decoration given to a ground combat soldier.
In the units I served in, they did not give those away because you were an Officer or a senior NCO looking to get your ticket punched for promotion stateside...

Rule 303

My son is proud of his. He has a Purple Heart with two clusters, by the way. Once, the man next to him was killed. Just chance that he wasn't, too. He did extract a considerable toll from the enemy in return.

 

[ChuckS1]

I went to high school with the son of the USAF pilot who flew the Skyraider that was shot down providing air support. You see it in the movie. I knew his dad was killed there, but never knew the circumstances until I read the book and saw his name and hometown in the back of the book.

 

[rayb]

I went to high school with the son of the USAF pilot who flew the Skyraider that was shot down providing air support. You see it in the movie. I knew his dad was killed there, but never knew the circumstances until I read the book and saw his name and hometown in the back of the book.

One of the strongest things about the book is the followup of individual lives at the end of the book.

I wonder what a 100% survey would show of the outcome of the subsequent lives of the survivors? How many of the participants in the Ia Drang battles would fit the hollywood stereotype of a VietNam veteran? My guess is probably very few if any.

rayb