How Colin Powell Rescued a WWII Medal of Honor Recipient From a Helicopter Crash in Vietnam
By Matt Fratus | October 19, 2021
Colin Powell already had one tour in Vietnam and a Purple Heart under his belt when he arrived in 1968 at Duc Pho — a Viet Cong stronghold in South Vietnam. A proven combat leader, Powell had led counterinsurgency operations against North Vietnamese soldiers near the Laotian border just five years earlier. During that tour, Powell was evacuated from the war zone after stepping on a punji-stick boobytrap.
It was during Powell’s second tour in Vietnam — and while serving in a noncombat-related role — that the 31-year-old Army major, who was already revered by his soldiers for his courage and straightforward leadership style, proved his courage in legendary fashion.
On Nov. 16, 1968, Powell accompanied Maj. Gen. Charles M. Gettys by helicopter to inspect 29 captured North Vietnamese Army base camps. Gettys was the commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 11th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Infantry Division.
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