10Turkeys Report post Posted November 11, 2020 My Thanks to all, who put on some sort of a uniform and a pair of boots and served! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Edge Report post Posted November 11, 2020 Trying to look confident; my dad shipping out to confront HE11, 1944. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heat Report post Posted November 11, 2020 God Bless all who have served in our Military! We are eternally grateful. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigorange Report post Posted November 11, 2020 Thanks to all who have served and those who continue to serve! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IA Born Report post Posted November 11, 2020 I've told the story before, but its always worth repeating. On November 11, 1967, my dad's company (C/1/503/173d Airborne), reinforced by half of another company and known as Task Force Black, left their laager sight in search of NVA that had been wreaking havoc on another company (C/4/503/173d Airborne). That morning, the 200 men of Task Force Black walked into a horseshoe-shaped ambush orchestrated by two battalions (somewhere between 600-1000 soldiers) that was quickly closed off, completely surrounding my dad's company. He was among the first wounded, but kept on fighting until he was wounded again and had to receive medical treatment. An NVA soldier got close enough to throw a grenade into the wounded "pile". A young PFC named John Andrew Barnes III threw himself on the grenade saving my dad and his buddies. My dad held John in his arms as he died. C/4/503 fought their way through enemy lines to reinforce TF Black and keep them from being overrun. At the end of it all, TF Black sustained 150 wounded, 23 killed, 25 untouched, and 2 missing in action. PFC John A. Barnes III was awarded the MOH for his actions. Veteran's Day was rough in our house with the memories and flashbacks. As much as I miss my dad and would give just about anything for one more fishing trip with him, especially now that I have two kids of my own who like fishing, I'm glad his war and pain are over. Some pics of him in action (He's the skinny guy with his shirt off in most of the pics)... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azbirdhunter88 Report post Posted November 11, 2020 2 hours ago, IA Born said: I've told the story before, but its always worth repeating. On November 11, 1967, my dad's company (C/1/503/173d Airborne), reinforced by half of another company and known as Task Force Black, left their laager sight in search of NVA that had been wreaking havoc on another company (C/4/503/173d Airborne). That morning, the 200 men of Task Force Black walked into a horseshoe-shaped ambush orchestrated by two battalions (somewhere between 600-1000 soldiers) that was quickly closed off, completely surrounding my dad's company. He was among the first wounded, but kept on fighting until he was wounded again and had to receive medical treatment. An NVA soldier got close enough to throw a grenade into the wounded "pile". A young PFC named John Andrew Barnes III threw himself on the grenade saving my dad and his buddies. My dad held John in his arms as he died. C/4/503 fought their way through enemy lines to reinforce TF Black and keep them from being overrun. At the end of it all, TF Black sustained 150 wounded, 23 killed, 25 untouched, and 2 missing in action. PFC John A. Barnes III was awarded the MOH for his actions. Veteran's Day was rough in our house with the memories and flashbacks. As much as I miss my dad and would give just about anything for one more fishing trip with him, especially now that I have two kids of my own who like fishing, I'm glad his war and pain are over. Some pics of him in action (He's the skinny guy with his shirt off in most of the pics)... Thanks for the story. Those guys had it rough. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
