Ed Freeman's Bravery at the Battle of Ia Drang

By the time Ed W. Freeman was deployed to Vietnam in 1965, he was already an experienced helicopter pilot and was appointed second-in-command of a unit of 16 helicopters. He served as a captain in Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).

Captain Freeman’s bravery on November 14, 1965, distinguished him with numerous acts of conspicuous gallantry. As the flight leader and second-in-command of a 16-helicopter unit, Freeman supported an American infantry battalion at Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley, which was heavily engaged and nearly out of ammunition. The battalion was suffering some of the heaviest casualties of the war while fending off a relentless and heavily armed enemy.

When the landing zone was closed due to direct enemy fire, Freeman selflessly risked his life by flying his unarmed helicopter through a gauntlet of fire to deliver critical ammunition, water, and medical supplies. His actions played a pivotal role in the survival of the battalion, as their survival was largely dependent on his resupply missions.

In addition to delivering supplies, Freeman conducted 14 separate rescue missions when medical evacuation helicopters refused to enter the heavily contested area. He successfully evacuated approximately 30 severely wounded soldiers, many of whom would not have survived had he not intervened. These flights were made to a small emergency landing zone within 100 to 200 meters of the defensive perimeter, where American troops were desperately holding off the enemy.

As a result of his heroism, Freeman was promoted to the rank of major, earned the designation of Master Army Aviator, and returned home from Vietnam in 1966.

Freeman's commanding officer nominated him for the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions at Ia Drang, but the nomination missed the two-year deadline that was in place at the time. As a result, Freeman was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross instead. The Medal of Honor nomination remained overlooked until 1995, when the two-year time limit was lifted. On July 16, 2001, Freeman was finally awarded the Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush.