Ed Freeman
| Ed W. Freeman | |
|---|---|
 
Ed Freeman (left) is congratulated by President George W. Bush after receiving his award.
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| Nickname(s) | Too Tall |
| Born |
November 20, 1927 Neely, Mississippi |
| Died | August 20, 2008 (aged 80) Boise, Idaho |
| Buried at | Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, Boise, Idaho |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch |
United States Navy United States Army |
| Years of service | 1944–1946 (Navy) 1946–1967 (Army) |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Korean War • Battle of Pork Chop Hill Vietnam War • Battle of Ia Drang |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
Ed W. "Too Tall" Freeman (November 20, 1927 – August 20, 2008) was a United States Army helicopter pilot who received the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Battle of Ia Drang during the Vietnam War. During the battle, he flew through gunfire numerous times, bringing supplies to a trapped American battalion and flying dozens of wounded soldiers to safety. Freeman was a wingman for Major Bruce Crandall who also received the Medal of Honor for the same missions.
Freeman was born in Neely, Greene County, Mississippi, the sixth of nine children. When he was 13 years old, he saw thousands of men on maneuvers pass by his home in Mississippi. He knew then that he would become a soldier.
He grew up in nearby McLain, Mississippi and graduated from Washington High School. At age 17, before graduating from high school, Freeman served in the U.S. Navy for two years. After the war, he returned to his hometown and graduated from high school. Immediately afterwards, he joined the U.S. Army. On April 30, 1954, he married Barbara Morgan. They had two sons: Mike, born in 1956, and Doug, born in 1962.
During World War II, Freeman served for two years in the Navy on the USS Cacapon (AO-52).
By the time of the Korean War, Freeman reached the Army rank of first sergeant. Although he was in the Corps of Engineers, he fought as an infantry soldier in Korea. He participated in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill and earned a battlefield commission as one of only 14 survivors out of 257 men who made it through the opening stages of the battle. His second lieutenant bars were pinned on by General James Van Fleet personally. He then assumed command of B Company and led them back up Pork Chop Hill.
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Wikipedia