Valor
based on a true event33 total reviews
Comment from RenieReader
What a nail-biting story. Thank you or sharing your experience and letting us know what it was like in Nam. The terrain and type of warfare must have been hell, and so different from American soil. I can hardly fathom how horrible it must have been.
No spag in sight.
Hugs,
Renie
reply by the author on 04-Sep-2010
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What a nail-biting story. Thank you or sharing your experience and letting us know what it was like in Nam. The terrain and type of warfare must have been hell, and so different from American soil. I can hardly fathom how horrible it must have been.
No spag in sight.
Hugs,
Renie
Comment Written 04-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 04-Sep-2010
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Thank you,RR, for taking the timne to read my story and for your kind review and comments. The battle of Ia Drang has always fascinated me with the endless stories of bravery and heroism from that one battle. Thank you!
Comment from BethShelby
This is an intense story of the horrors of war. It sounds very much as though you were telling a true story from your prospective. You did an excellent job with this writing and it certainly held my attention. Those men were indeed heroes.
reply by the author on 04-Sep-2010
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This is an intense story of the horrors of war. It sounds very much as though you were telling a true story from your prospective. You did an excellent job with this writing and it certainly held my attention. Those men were indeed heroes.
Comment Written 04-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 04-Sep-2010
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Thank you, Beth, for this excellent review. I appreciate your kind feedback and comments for the story. The bravery and heroism from this one battle has always fascinated me. Thank you.
Comment from KayteeF
This is a very heartfelt story of exceeding bravery and valor.
Very well composed, retaining a sincere composure of the author who suffered both mentally and physically through the throes of war.
The author himself must be commended for his own bravery in trying to help his friend.
reply by the author on 04-Sep-2010
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This is a very heartfelt story of exceeding bravery and valor.
Very well composed, retaining a sincere composure of the author who suffered both mentally and physically through the throes of war.
The author himself must be commended for his own bravery in trying to help his friend.
Comment Written 04-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 04-Sep-2010
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Thank you so much, KayteeF, for taking the time to read and review this story. The stories of the bravery and heroes from this one battle in Vietnam has always fascinatged me. I wrote this story in the first person as I felt it made it more real and more believable. The battle and the pilots bravery are real ... the soldier and his story is from my imagination. Thank you!
Comment from RazberryBullet
Whoa! Intense and scary! The two pilots were heroes all right!
Liked these lines: I could hear my best friend call my name as he lay dying a few yards away from me ... and I couldn't do a damn thing to help him. Nothing. I smelled the blood and I could hear him praying, begging God to let him die. I rose to go to him, but when a bullet missed me by inches, I stayed down. So, I started praying for Casino to die, too.
Very well done!
reply by the author on 03-Sep-2010
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Whoa! Intense and scary! The two pilots were heroes all right!
Liked these lines: I could hear my best friend call my name as he lay dying a few yards away from me ... and I couldn't do a damn thing to help him. Nothing. I smelled the blood and I could hear him praying, begging God to let him die. I rose to go to him, but when a bullet missed me by inches, I stayed down. So, I started praying for Casino to die, too.
Very well done!
Comment Written 02-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 03-Sep-2010
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Thank you, razberrybullet! I'm so honored by your wonderful review for my story and appreciate your taking the time to read and comment. Thank you for mentioning the lines you liked, as well. Thanks for your encouragement and generosity.
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You are more than welcome :)
Cheers,
Raz
Comment from Cairn Destop
Good reading about the bravery of men under fire. Though many oppossed the war, it shouldn't have been directed at the grunts serving their country. Sad that isn't what happened. Glad to hear those men received what was due them, even after more than thirty-five years.
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2010
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Good reading about the bravery of men under fire. Though many oppossed the war, it shouldn't have been directed at the grunts serving their country. Sad that isn't what happened. Glad to hear those men received what was due them, even after more than thirty-five years.
Comment Written 02-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2010
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Thank you, CD, for taking the time to read my story and for your great review. From what I understand, Freeman and Crandall were caught up in some procedure and paperwork snafu that delayed their Medal of Honor...something about receiving a previous medal for the same incident.Freeman received his Medal of Honor first because Crandall, the commander of the assult helicopter battalion, nominated him (he volunteered to run the missions with Crandall). Freeman died in 2008 but Crandall is still alive and looks mighty fine wearing his medal. Thanks!
Comment from wierdgrace
What a great contest, and in reality , you can start a story or book with this chapter, well done, and I see no errors or revisions, hope your votes are there, and good luck.
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2010
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What a great contest, and in reality , you can start a story or book with this chapter, well done, and I see no errors or revisions, hope your votes are there, and good luck.
Comment Written 02-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2010
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Dear Grace, I appreciate your kind review and comments so much. Thank you for reading the story and your wonderful encouragement.
Comment from jmdg1954
Wow... So well written, dialouge, charectors, settings, excellent! As a teenager during the Vietnam War, I can associate with stories like this. I enjoyed the fact that you re-enacted a true story in your own words showcasing your gift as a writer in order to accomplish that task.
Best of luck in the contest... John
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2010
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Wow... So well written, dialouge, charectors, settings, excellent! As a teenager during the Vietnam War, I can associate with stories like this. I enjoyed the fact that you re-enacted a true story in your own words showcasing your gift as a writer in order to accomplish that task.
Best of luck in the contest... John
Comment Written 02-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2010
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Wow, what a great review this is! Thank you, John, for reading my story and for comments that made me glad I wrote this story. I've been interested in the story of Ia Drang since I first read about it in "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young". The more I read about that horrific battle, the more I learn how many heroes were at that conflict...so many injured, thankfully, many surived, and way too many died...but all heroes. I can't even imagine what they went through. Thank you so much!
Comment from bob cullen
No fictional account of battle ever measures up to an actual retelling of reality.
A shiver went over me as I read of the horror you experienced. As a five time victim of armed hold-up, I have some understanding of fear, but in comparison to your situation I am but a novice. I salute soldiers who fight for our respective countries. You are indeed our modern day heros and we are indebted to your bravery. I will also say a prayer for Casino
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2010
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No fictional account of battle ever measures up to an actual retelling of reality.
A shiver went over me as I read of the horror you experienced. As a five time victim of armed hold-up, I have some understanding of fear, but in comparison to your situation I am but a novice. I salute soldiers who fight for our respective countries. You are indeed our modern day heros and we are indebted to your bravery. I will also say a prayer for Casino
Comment Written 02-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 02-Sep-2010
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Bob, I thank you so much for this great review and your kind, heart-felt comments for my story. I wrote this originally in third person, but switched it to first because I thought it would make the story more personal and hopefully more believable. The battle and the pilots are real, but the soldier and what he faced is my imagination. Ia Drang and the heroes that battle produced--those who survived, the ones inured, and easpecially the ones who died there are the true meaning of the word hero. The story of Ia Drang has captivated me since I first read "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young". I'm glad the paperwork snafus were resolved so Freeman and Crandall could receive their Medals of Honor. Thank you for reading the story, Bob. I hope you're not too disappointed that it's a fiction story based on some true events.
Comment from Carol D Parker
Wow! This is about the best story I've ever read about Vietnam in such a few words. It's honest, vividly depicted with strong and powerful imagery. I could not stop reding if I wanted to. I hope to God that this is part of an entire book about everything you experienced there, everthing. If it's not a book, it should be. It would definitely be a best seller. Not enough is written about the horrors of that war. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Delora
reply by the author on 01-Sep-2010
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Wow! This is about the best story I've ever read about Vietnam in such a few words. It's honest, vividly depicted with strong and powerful imagery. I could not stop reding if I wanted to. I hope to God that this is part of an entire book about everything you experienced there, everthing. If it's not a book, it should be. It would definitely be a best seller. Not enough is written about the horrors of that war. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Delora
Comment Written 01-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 01-Sep-2010
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Thank you so much, Delora, for this incredible rating and review. The story of Ia Drang has captivated me since I read the book,"We Were Soldiers Once...and Young". I wrote this story in the first person to make it more personal and hopefully more believable. The battle and the pilot's stories are real, but the soldier was created by my imagination. Thank you for your comments and I'm glad the story moved you. Thank you!
Comment from Rama Rao
An excellent account of the heroic act of the chopper pilots. In all such occasions, some common and ordinary men jump, leap high, cross the barrier of being ordinary and perform extraordinary feats. They are the stuff that heroes are made of. Your piece is a great tribute to two such great heroes. This incidentally is also the tradition of all services in the Armed Forces. I'm sure the citation for them must have read 'in the highest traditions of the marine Corps or Army.'
Great story.
reply by the author on 01-Sep-2010
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An excellent account of the heroic act of the chopper pilots. In all such occasions, some common and ordinary men jump, leap high, cross the barrier of being ordinary and perform extraordinary feats. They are the stuff that heroes are made of. Your piece is a great tribute to two such great heroes. This incidentally is also the tradition of all services in the Armed Forces. I'm sure the citation for them must have read 'in the highest traditions of the marine Corps or Army.'
Great story.
Comment Written 01-Sep-2010
reply by the author on 01-Sep-2010
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Thank you, Ramarao, for your wonderful review and kind comments for this story. The ending of Bruce Crandall's Medal of Honor citation reads: "Major Crandall's daring acts of bravery and courage in the face of an overwhelming and determined enemy are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."
Thank you.
