Latest news with #5thSpecialForcesGroup
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Central Texas Vietnam War Veteran Recalls Impact of the Fall Of Saigon 50 Years Later
HEWITT, TX (FOX 44) — Many veterans served in Vietnam before the fall of Saigon in 1975. One of them is Hewitt attorney Jon Ker, who served in Vietnam from January 1969 to January 1970. Here's his story on how his service in Vietnam and the Fall of Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam before North Vietnam took it over, shaped his life. 'I was proud to serve my country,' Ker said. 'The 5th Special Forces Group had a series of camps along the western Vietnam border from the DMZ down – almost down to Saigon.' Ker added his first combat patrol in South Vietnam was out of Camp Dak Seang, near the Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos border. He vividly recalls his initial experience there. 'It was warm. It was pretty hot. In the special forces, you have a one-week combat orientation training that gets you ready for going out to your camp,' Ker said. 'Once you get your feet on the ground, you kind of get acclimated to the whole scenario, and you just want to go out and make contact with the enemy and do your job.' Ker stressed 'doing the job' could be gutwrenching. 'Things got hard. I was at Doxyeang for about three months. I was actually on watch at night the night that Ben Het got hit by three Russian PT-76 tanks. Shortly after that, I got sent down to Ben Het, and that was the most significant combat duty that I had.' Ker shared when he returned from Vietnam in 1970, there was no heroes welcome home for himself and some others he knew. 'I can give you an example of a friend of mine, who was also in special forces, 'Ker said. 'When he landed in Oakland, someone came up to him and shot him in the belly, and someone said to him, 'You baby killer.' So, when I came home, there was no band playing, there was no welcoming committee, people looked at me like I was some kind of a freak show. That was very disheartening.' Ker remembers seeing the reports of the fall of Saigon back in 1975. He says the fall impacts him to this day. 'All of the lives of the Americans – the 50-something thousand – who went there to do their job and to bring victory, was thrown away – just cast away,' Ker lamented. 'As to us who were there it will always be a significant event that it (Saigon) fell – yeah, that's it.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Medal of Honor wall unveiled at Governor's Square Mall
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Governor's Square Mall in Clarksville unveiled a Medal of Honor memorial wall in observance of National Medal of Honor Day. The Medal of Honor is the highest award of valor that can be earned by a member of the U.S. military. Recipients are commonly called the bravest of the brave. Every person on the memorial wall has, at some point, called Clarksville home. READ MORE | Latest headlines from Clarksville and Montgomery County The keynote speaker at Tuesday morning's unveiling was Colonel (P) Travis McIntosh, who spoke about the significance of the award. McIntosh also mentioned how many military families live in Clarksville, honoring their commitment to sacrifice for our country. When you walk in and look at the Medal of Honor wall, you'll see the photos and biographies of 46 members of the 101st Airborne Division and the 5th Special Forces Group. McIntosh said often, recipients risk or sacrifice their lives. ⏩ 'It is an eternal dedication to their sacrifice and their courage. The bravest of the brave are represented by the Medal of Honor,' McIntosh said. 'What we're reminded here today with the citizens of Clarksville and Montgomery County and their tribute is that America is worth it.' You can see the brand new Medal of Honor wall for yourself — it's located at the mall's entrance closest to Old Navy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Medal of Honor March: Remembering SFC Eugene Ashley, Jr.
Immerse yourself in the incredible saga of Sergeant First Class Eugene Ashley, Jr., a beacon of valor and heroism in the annals of the U.S. Army. His remarkable actions during the Vietnam War earned him the esteemed Medal of Honor. Eugene Ashley, Jr., a native of Wilmington, North Carolina, was born on October 12, 1930. He had a destined path as a service member. Growing up in the vibrant streets of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, he responded to the call of duty like many others before him. In 1950, when the U.S. got involved in the Korean War and started enlisting troops, Ashley joined the army. Before he turned 21, he was deployed to the Korean peninsula. Bravely serving his country, he returned to New York by 1953. But his journey as a service member was far from over. In fact, Ashley continued his service and achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class. He joined Company C, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. As America entered the war in Vietnam, Ashley once again deployed to Asia and actively participated in the actions that led to him receiving a Medal of Honor. Unfortunately, it was in this endeavor that he lost his life. Sfc. Ashley distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with Detachment A-101, Company C. Sfc. Ashley was the senior Special Forces Advisor of a hastily organized assault force whose mission was to rescue entrapped U.S. Special Forces advisers at Camp Lang Vei. During the initial attack on the Special Forces camp by North Vietnamese Army forces, Sfc. Ashley supported the camp with high-explosive and illumination mortar rounds. When communications were lost with the main camp, he assumed the additional responsibility of directing air strikes and artillery support. Sfc. Ashley organized and equipped a small assault force composed of local friendly personnel. During the ensuing battle, Sfc. Ashley led a total of five vigorous assaults against the enemy, continuously exposing himself to a voluminous hail of enemy grenades, machine gun and automatic-weapons fire. Throughout these assaults, he was plagued by numerous boobytrapped satchel charges in all bunkers on his avenue of approach. During his fifth and final assault, he adjusted air strikes nearly on top of his assault element, forcing the enemy to withdraw and resulting in friendly control of the summit of the hill. While exposing himself to intense enemy fire, he was seriously wounded by machine-gun fire but continued his mission without regard for his personal safety. After the fifth assault he lost consciousness and was carried from the summit by his comrades only to suffer a fatal wound when an enemy artillery round landed in the area. Sfc. Ashley displayed extraordinary heroism in risking his life in an attempt to save the lives of his entrapped comrades and commanding officer. His total disregard for his personal safety while exposed to enemy observation and automatic-weapons fire was an inspiration to all men committed to the assault. The resolute valor with which he led five gallant charges placed critical diversionary pressure on the attacking enemy and his valiant efforts carved a channel in the overpowering enemy forces and weapons positions through which the survivors of Camp Lang Vei eventually escaped to freedom. Sfc. Ashley's bravery at the cost of his life was in the highest traditions of the military service, and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army. On December 2, 1969, Vice President Spiro Agnew paid tribute to Sergeant First Class Ashley in a solemn ceremony at the White House, presenting his posthumous Medal of Honor to his grieving family. Ashley's bravery also earned him the Purple Heart, further honoring his heroism in Vietnam. Today, Ashley rests in peace at the Rockfish Memorial Park Cemetery in Fayetteville, North Carolina. His name lives on, a symbol of the bravery and dedication of a true American hero. Learn more about the Congressional Medal of Honor Society at or find them on Instagram |Facebook Participate in Medal of Honor Day on March 25 by sharing a recipient's story Support veteran hiring and transition programs in your workplace Teach younger generations about the values of courage, sacrifice, and service Medal of Honor Month isn't just about recognizing history. It's about keeping the mission alive for the future. Observe Medal of Honor March on We Are The Mighty here.
