Comments for Today's Medal of Honor Moment for 18 November

Today's Medal of Honor Moment for 18 November

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:30:47 -0600

A rare day for the Medal. There is only one Medal awarded for actions specific to the 18th of November (there is at least one Medal upcoming that covers a period that includes the 18th), and it wasn't awarded until the Medal was 106 years old, during Vietnam. Earned by a Redleg, I find myself compelled to note.Vietnam, and Sergeant Sammy Davis - one helluva gun bunny!DAVIS, SAMMY L. Rank and organization: Sergeant, U.S. Army, Battery C, 2d Battalion, 4th Artillery, 9th Infantry Division. Place and date: West of Cai Lay, Republic of Vietnam, 18 November 1967. Entered service at:...

Comment from Lamigra on 2009-11-19

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:15:20 -0600

Now, where did I find that? Ahh, here 'tis:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-4fa.htm

Comment from LaMigra on 2009-11-19

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:35:01 -0600

"The 2nd Battalion was reactivated on 1 February 1966, and served with distinction in Vietnam as a 105mm towed unit from 1966 until 1970"

Comment from Tim on 2009-11-18

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:03:06 -0600

Thanks, John. I figured you might know. To me, it looks like it's all a bunch of metal.

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2009-11-18

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:49:06 -0600

Well, Tim, I didn't write it, nor was I there - so this is all conjecture.

I'm assuming, from the unit, it was a 105mm howitzer. About the only thing that would burn on those guns are the tires and hydraulic fluid from the recoil system. If the gun got hit by an RPG, that could have caused leakage from the recoil system (which would also explain why the gun, in a fixed, prepared, position had such robust recoil).

Comment from SangerM on 2009-11-18

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:54:49 -0600

!!

The picture requires no explanation, caption, or commentary. I would be awed beyond words if I met all of those men at the same time. Hell, I'm awed just looking at the picture. They'd probably find my reaction amusing....

Comment from Tim on 2009-11-18

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:37:15 -0600

OK, John. This one should be easy for you to explain to me. What is on a howitzer that it could "burn furiously"?

Comment from fdcol63 on 2009-11-18

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:30:53 -0600

Thank you, SGT Davis.

From his website, a photo of a most distinguished group:

http://www.homeofheroes.com/sammydavis/temp_imgs/recipients_atpresentation.jpg