Post by Okwes on Jul 15, 2007 16:25:06 GMT -5
War Hero Billy Walkabout Passes away.
Billy Walkabout died March 7, 2007. He was the most decorated Native
American soldier of the Vietnam War. Billy, a full blood Cherokee,
was living in Connecticut and lost his last fight with Agent Orange
complications. He was 57 yrs old. Billy, an Airborne Ranger of the
101st, received a Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest
U.S. decoration for gallantry in combat, for his actions during one
such incident in November 1968. " [After] a long range
reconnaissance patrol southwest of Hue… [Sergeant Walkabout's team]
radioed for immediate helicopter extraction. When the extraction
helicopters arrived and the lead man begin moving toward the pick-up
zone, he was seriously wounded by hostile automatic weapons fire.
Sergeant Walkabout quickly rose to his feet and delivered steady
suppressive fire on the attackers while other team members pulled
the wounded man back to their ranks. Sergeant Walkabout then
administrated first aid to the soldier in preparation for medical
evacuation. As the man was being loaded onto the evacuation
helicopter, enemy elements again attacked the team. Maneuvering
under heavy fire, Sergeant positioned himself where the enemy were
concentrating their assault and placed continuous rifle fire on the
adversary. A command detonated mine ripped through friendly team,
instantly killing three men and wounding all the others." Although
stunned and wounded by the blast, Sergeant Walkabout rushed from man
to man administering first aid, bandaging one soldier's severe chest
wound reviving another soldier by heart massage. He then coordinated
gunship and tactical air strikes on the enemy's positions. When
evacuation helicopters arrived again, he worked single-handedly
under fire to board his disabled comrades. Only when the casualties
had been evacuated and friendly reinforcements had arrived, did he
allow himself to be extracted."
Billy Walkabout died March 7, 2007. He was the most decorated Native
American soldier of the Vietnam War. Billy, a full blood Cherokee,
was living in Connecticut and lost his last fight with Agent Orange
complications. He was 57 yrs old. Billy, an Airborne Ranger of the
101st, received a Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest
U.S. decoration for gallantry in combat, for his actions during one
such incident in November 1968. " [After] a long range
reconnaissance patrol southwest of Hue… [Sergeant Walkabout's team]
radioed for immediate helicopter extraction. When the extraction
helicopters arrived and the lead man begin moving toward the pick-up
zone, he was seriously wounded by hostile automatic weapons fire.
Sergeant Walkabout quickly rose to his feet and delivered steady
suppressive fire on the attackers while other team members pulled
the wounded man back to their ranks. Sergeant Walkabout then
administrated first aid to the soldier in preparation for medical
evacuation. As the man was being loaded onto the evacuation
helicopter, enemy elements again attacked the team. Maneuvering
under heavy fire, Sergeant positioned himself where the enemy were
concentrating their assault and placed continuous rifle fire on the
adversary. A command detonated mine ripped through friendly team,
instantly killing three men and wounding all the others." Although
stunned and wounded by the blast, Sergeant Walkabout rushed from man
to man administering first aid, bandaging one soldier's severe chest
wound reviving another soldier by heart massage. He then coordinated
gunship and tactical air strikes on the enemy's positions. When
evacuation helicopters arrived again, he worked single-handedly
under fire to board his disabled comrades. Only when the casualties
had been evacuated and friendly reinforcements had arrived, did he
allow himself to be extracted."