Irma S. Chambers
Capt Ed Freeman MOH, wife Barbara, and SSgt Christopher Chambers: October 2007When I found out that Ed Freeman passed away this morning August 20, 2008, I cried. I cried because another one of Americas greatest hero’s passed away and a part of our history with him.
My husband and I had the honor of meeting Ed freeman and his wife Barbara last October when my husband and I escorted them to the 1-183rd Aviation Battalion Ball; Ed was the guest of Honor.
Ed Freeman left such an impression on me with his quick wit, devilish smile, and his animated way of recalling the past with a hint of humor that I instantly had admiration and respect for this man and felt privileged to just be in his presence.
After the Aviation Ball I wrote a poem to Honor Ed Freeman, and to let him know how meeting him affected me. I mailed him a copy of it and Barbara his wife called me after they received it and told me that Ed was so touched by it that he cried.
I only met him once and the time I spent in his presence was brief and short but intimate enough that that he touched my heart and soul – forever.
This is my tribute in honor of Ed Freeman.
I am blessed to have known you, Ed.
Irma S. Chambers
August 21, 2008
TOO TALL
He was about 6’4” tall, thin, and didn’t walk so very fast
And he sat in the limo, telling us stories of his past,
Of that battle that he fought in and the deeds that he had done
Of how he was a soldier, once… and young.
We sat in silence and listened to his tale, we knew it was no joke
For we all knew of which battle that he spoke
The battle of Ia Drang Valley, he flew into Zone X-ray
And because of him, soldiers from 1/7 Cav, lived to see the next day
He found himself in danger, with the enemies at hand
Flying and unarmed helicopter, in that forsaken land
He told us of another battle that he himself was in
“They sent us up a hill I knew we couldn’t win”
“Over 200 of us went up on Pork Chop Hill;
Only 14 of us came back, the rest they all were killed”
He saw how quiet we all had become
And realized that we pondered at all that he had done
He paused and looked at us with a twinkle in his eye
“Those people didn’t like me, they kept shooting at me and I wondered why.”
We laughed with him as he put us all at ease
And we all took pleasure at his humor and how he liked to tease
He talked while his bride of 53 years sat silently by his side
I could not help but notice how she looked at him with pride
We rode in that limo that was taking us to my husband’s Aviation Ball
And I could not believe we were in the presence, of Mr. Ed Freeman…
the one and only TOO TALL
Around his neck he wore his medal and it gleamed in the evening light
And I wondered what it must have been like for him on that horrid night
He wore the Medal of Honor, with dignity and pride
But when he looked at it, the sadness he could not hide
He was not a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin
His presence should remind us, we need more the likes of him
We arrived at the ball where he’ll hear some words of praise
Giving him honor and homage for the acts of valor that he did that day
I watched my husband help him out and hand him his cane
He struggled to his feet, his hands he could not tame
Gone was his youth, his body aged and bent with time
But sharp remained the faculties and the memories in his mind
Once inside we lost him to those, who knew about his life,
They promptly sat them at the receiving line,
where they greeted every soldier and his wife
I sadly watched from the distance and quietly walked away,
Content with the fact, that I met and spend some time with a hero that day.
During dinner 200 listened as he spoke, and no one made a sound
As he told of that battle that he fought in, and the deeds that he had done…
of how he was a soldier once… and young.
©Copyright October 15, 2007 by Irma S. Chambers
Biography: Captain Ed W. “Too Tall” Freeman
Captain Ed W. “Too Tall” FreemanCaptain Ed W. Freeman, of the United States Army, was awarded by the President of the United States of America, the Medal of Honor on July 16, 2001 for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty in 1965, 36 years after the fact.
He distinguished himself by numerous acts of conspicuous gallantry and extraordinary intrepidity on 14 November 1965 while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). As a flight leader and second in command of a 16-helicopter lift unit, he supported a heavily engaged American infantry battalion at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley, Republic of Vietnam.
The unit was almost out of ammunition after taking some of the heaviest casualties of the war, fighting off a relentless attack from a highly motivated, heavily armed enemy force. When the infantry commander closed the helicopter landing zone due to intense direct enemy fire, Captain Freeman risked his own life by flying his unarmed helicopter through a gauntlet of enemy fire time after time, delivering critically needed ammunition, water and medical supplies to the besieged battalion. His flights had a direct impact on the battle’s outcome by providing the engaged units with timely supplies of ammunition critical to their survival, without which they would almost surely have gone down, with much greater loss of life.
After medical evacuation helicopters refused to fly into the area due to intense enemy fire, Captain Freeman flew 14 separate rescue missions, providing life-saving evacuation of an estimated 30 seriously wounded soldiers – –some of whom would not have survived had he not acted. All flights were made into a small emergency landing zone within 100 to 200 meters of the defensive perimeter where heavily committed units were perilously holding off the attacking elements.
Captain Freeman’s selfless acts of great valor, extraordinary perseverance and intrepidity were far above and beyond the call of duty or mission and set a super example of leadership and courage for all of his peers. Captain Freeman’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.
(excerpt taken by the White House website press release)
Author’s Note: I felt the need to write my personal emotions after my husband and I escorted Medal of Honor recipient Mr. Ed Freeman and his wife Barbara to the 1/183rd Aviation 2007 Ball on Oct 13, 2007, where he was asked to be a guest speaker. Mr. Ed Freeman also famously known as “TOO TALL TO FLY” and was portrayed in the Movie “We were Soldiers” by Mark McCracken.
Cpt. Freeman, by military standards back then, was too tall to be a pilot. He stood over 6’4’’ and has never admitted to being taller although many believe that he was. He claims that he pestered them so much that they finally relented and let him fly.
The movie, “We Were Soldiers” stars Mel Gibson who portrayed Lt Gen. Harold G. Moore (now retired), the Battalion commanding officer of the 1/7 Calvary Division and led his men in the first skirmish in the Ia Drang Campaign. It was also one of the first battles in the Vietnam War. Lt Gen Moore wrote a book about this battle and what they saw and experienced, co-authored by Joe Galloway who was a young UPI reporter following the 1/7 Cav during Ia Drang at the time.
My poem uses the phrase “he was a soldier once… and young” in honor of Mr. Freeman and all the soldiers who were at Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley that day.
My husband and I husband had the honor and privilege to escort Mr. Freeman and his wife to the annual Aviation Ball this year because my husband SSG Chambers was nominated and won the first round of the Army National Guard NCO of the year competition.
I must note that it was a stressful weekend for my husband. It so happened that the second level (STATE) of the competition was slated to begin two days before the Ball and finish the day after. He had to compete with other NCOs’ from around Idaho in all areas of soldiering – from physical fitness, land navigation, weapons qualification, and go up in front of a board to answer general military trivia questions. He was given the time to get ready for the ball to escort Mr. Freeman and his wife and he also had to conduct the POW ceremony at the ball AND then return to the base the next day by 0800 for the announcement of the winner.
I am proud to announce that my husband SSG Chambers won the state level. He is officially the Idaho Army National Guard’s #1 NCO of the year for 2008.
He now must train and prepare for the 3rd level (REGIONAL) that will be conducted in Montana in April of next year.