Ed Freeman
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Ed W. Freeman
Ed Freeman (left) is congratulated by President George W. Bush after receiving his award Cmoh army.jpg
Ed Freeman (left) is congratulated by President George W. Bush after receiving his award.
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)[1]
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.
Contents
1 Early life
2 Military service
2.1 World War II
2.2 Korean War
2.3 Vietnam War
2.4 Medal of Honor
2.5 Military awards
3 Awards and decorations
4 Civilian life
5 Death and legacy
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
Early life
Freeman was born in Neely, Greene County, Mississippi, the sixth of nine children.[2] 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.[3]
He grew up in nearby McLain, Mississippi [1] and graduated from Washington High School.[2] 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.[1]
Military service
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Freeman
