8th of November
We shamelessly snagged this from our partners at The Burnpit.
The 8th of November is the anniversary of Operation Hump near Bien Hoa, War Zone “D” in Vietnam where on November 8, 1965, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment of the 173rd Airborne Brigade were ambushed by about 1200 Viet Cong. Many of the paratroopers were injured or killed in the first few moments of the ensuing battle, but that didn’t slow down Specialist 6 Lawrence Joel, a medic, as he went on to earn the Medal of Honor for his actions in the 24-hour battle – the first living African-American to earn the MOH since the Spanish-American War;
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp6c. Joel demonstrated indomitable courage, determination, and professional skill when a numerically superior and well-concealed Viet Cong element launched a vicious attack which wounded or killed nearly every man in the lead squad of the company. After treating the men wounded by the initial burst of gunfire, he bravely moved forward to assist others who were wounded while proceeding to their objective. While moving from man to man, he was struck in the right leg by machinegun fire. Although painfully wounded his desire to aid his fellow soldiers transcended all personal feeling. He bandaged his own wound and self-administered morphine to deaden the pain enabling him to continue his dangerous undertaking. Through this period of time, he constantly shouted words of encouragement to all around him. Then, completely ignoring the warnings of others, and his pain, he continued his search for wounded, exposing himself to hostile fire; and, as bullets dug up the dirt around him, he held plasma bottles high while kneeling completely engrossed in his life saving mission. Then, after being struck a second time and with a bullet lodged in his thigh, he dragged himself over the battlefield and succeeded in treating 13 more men before his medical supplies ran out. Displaying resourcefulness, he saved the life of 1 man by placing a plastic bag over a severe chest wound to congeal the blood. As 1 of the platoons pursued the Viet Cong, an insurgent force in concealed positions opened fire on the platoon and wounded many more soldiers. With a new stock of medical supplies, Sp6c. Joel again shouted words of encouragement as he crawled through an intense hail of gunfire to the wounded men. After the 24 hour battle subsided and the Viet Cong dead numbered 410, snipers continued to harass the company. Throughout the long battle, Sp6c. Joel never lost sight of his mission as a medical aidman and continued to comfort and treat the wounded until his own evacuation was ordered. His meticulous attention to duty saved a large number of lives and his unselfish, daring example under most adverse conditions was an inspiration to all. Spc6. Joel’s profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.
From The Burnpit;
Sergeant First Class Joel (who retired in 1973) had actually fought in Korea as well, and had earned a Silver Star in addition to his Medal of Honor. He passed away in 1983 from complications of diabetes and is interred in Arlington Cemetery adjacent to the Memorial Amphitheater. (Section 46 if you wish to go visit.)
While I couldn’t find video of the ceremony at first glance (more on that later) I did find a Youtube that had audio of President Johnson awarding it:
Interestingly, another African American, Milton Lee Olive III (also of the 173rd Airborne) was klled October 22nd of 1965, and was awarded the Medal of Honor after jumping on a grenade.
So, for the “rest of the story” let me admit up front I don’t listen to Country music, and had never heard of “Big and Rich” before, but everyone is telling me that they are a great band, great people, and draw big crowds. (One interesting thing I found out about them though was that they played in Vegas before that lunatic starting shooting up the crowd, and an off duty Minneapolis Police officer came into the bar they were drinking at and asked if anyone had a gun. Apparently John Rich handed him his pistol and the police officer took up a position at the door to protect people.)
Anyway, Big and Rich have a song “8th of November” about that day, and a friend of theirs whose life was saved by Joel’s heroics. They even have a tribute to Joel on the music video, narrated by Kris Kristofferson (who himself served in the Army and earned a Ranger Tab). Although the song itself is more about their friend, Niles Harris, the prelude talks about SFC Joel:
They also made a longer documentary which is pretty interesting if you have the time, as it shows some actual footage, the location in Vietnam and more:
So, if you are of a mind to do so today, tip one to Lawrence Joel, Niles Harris and the men The Herd lost that day. Glad I noticed this on the calendar for this day in history, because heroism like this should ALWAYS be remembered, and kudos to Big and Rich for reaching a larger audience than would normally be the case
Category: Real Soldiers
Heroism is not restricted by one’s color, as Jonn’s publications have repeatedly shown. Thank you for your service, sir. From my neck of the woods.
I did not know that.
A tip of the shot glass indeed.
You’re a shining example to the rest of us, SFC Joel.
See you in a while, Brother.
WOW is all I can say, other than it got dusty in here really quick. RIP to a true hero.
Thank You, Jonn, for not only posting Big & Rich’s touching Video/Song about the 173rd, but also recognizing SFC Lawrence Joel ( Rest in Peace, Soldier).
I did find two videos that showed clips of LBJ presenting the MOH to SFC Joel for his heroic actions as well as a different Video on him that was posted:
https://youtu.be/A9c-xkcQ6h0
https://youtu.be/VXUG8wljbjk
SALUTE to all the Soldiers who displayed couage that day as well as those gave their lives.
Let us never forget.
P.S. Agree with HMC Ret. “Heroism is not restricted by by one’s color”. Only wish others could see this.
Let us also remember PFC Milton Lee Olive III (also of the 173rd Airborne) who was killed on October 22nd of 1965, and awarded the Medal of Honor by sacrificing his life to save others by smothering a live grenade. He was only 18 years old.
I Salute you, Soldier. Rest in Peace.
https://youtu.be/zKcS7577SqM
And that is how Olive Court on Fort Meade got its name. I think it disappeared when they rebuilt housing. When my son asked me how our street got its name I made him look up what PFC Olive did. To me, that’s how you learn.
When did the SPC ranks get dropped and everyone above E4 get turned into a NCO? He clearly retired as a SFC.
Andy11M: Hope this helps:
http://uniform-reference.net/insignia/usarmy/usa_enlisted_chron.html
In his picture, you can see he is wearing SP6 Rank when he received the MOH:
http://www.ljvm.com/ljvm/
His MOH Citation reads:
JOEL, LAWRENCE
Rank and organization:
Specialist Sixth Class (then Sp5c), U.S. Army, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade. Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 8 November 1965, G.O. No.: 15, 5 April 1967.
The incident for his MOH took place on 8 November 1965 when he was a SP5. The General Orders for his MOH was 5 April 1967.
Most likely, he got promoted to SP6 between November 1965 and April 1967.
Am guessing that since he retired in 1973, he was promoted to either SP7 or SFC/E7 while on Active Duty. SP7 was dissolved in 1978. When he passed away in 1984, his headstone at Arlington was marked SFC instead of SP7 because of the change.
Hope that makes sense. I am not always right, so if anyone sees an error, please correct me.
Andy and Pat, I’ll offer another solution.
My brother was a 91A/B/C Medic, same as Joel. In the Medical, Food Service, Bandsman, and some other MOS’s, the rank depended on duty position held whether or not you wore Specialist Rank or hard stripes.
In the case of my brother, if he was working out of a Troop Medical Clinic or as a Wardmaster in a hospital, he wore SP6 stripes. But when he was a Platoon Sergeant in a Battlefield Clearing/Graves Registration Company, he wore SSG stripes. Same for hard stripes if he was the Plt Sgt for all the medics in a Infantry Battalion.
In Joel’s case, his last duty position held may have required hard stripes instead of SP7.
Just another possibility to the answer of the question.
Thank you, Claw, for the info.
Always saw my Dad and relatives wear the “hard stripes”, but do remember the SP6 and SP7 during Viet of the Nam.
What always threw me off was the Rank structure during WWII with “T” before the rank.
Thank you, again. Salute to your Brother, your Sons and to you for serving our country (and of course, to Mrs. CSM Claw with her clipboard and White-Gloved inspections). 😉
You’re welcome for the info.
Just as a side note, my brother was a Combat Medical Badge recipient for his tour in Vietnam while assigned to C, 1/22 Infantry, IFFV.
Yep, my brother Danny was a triple threat in the Army. First an Infantryman, then a Cook, and finally a Combat Medic.
I think of him often. He passed in 2001 at the age of 57.
Claw, am so sorry about the loss of your brother, especially at such a young age.
Ironically, I lost my Brother when he was 57. He was a Medic in the National Guard after the Viet of Nam (no combat time). I miss him.
I know you and your family were proud of Danny…and yes, he was a Triple Threat. Bet he was an expert on SoS.
Wow, the CMB. Just as the CIB and the CAB (or any Army Badge), one “physically” earns the honor of wearing it.
Thank you again for sharing.
Wow that documentary. Big and Rich are the real deal. I have not heard much of their music but I’m now a fan.
Jonn,
This is a very good post, thank you.
I arrived a little less than 2 years later after this battle and I remember reading about Sp/6 Joel and the 173rd but had forgotten his name.
Most of us that visit here will likely agree that the appreciation and respect for our Medics is/was universal.
Wow.
I stand in awe of such selfless service and devotion.
Love the somg, hate that they put Kristofferson in it. Leftist dickhead
Usafvet509:
????????
Please explain about him being a Leftist dickhead.
Thank you.
Kristofferson is, and has been, extremely liberal. Has made many references in his songs to liking folks like Che Guevara… geez, he’s a leftover ’60s hippy. What would you expect?
Ok, I respect your opinion as well as Usafvet509.
Since I choose to be opened minded, I respectfully ask that you watch this short video of him receiving Veteran of the Year Award in 2011 (he admits his shortcomings, which is alot better than other folks do):
https://youtu.be/0khSvMpKgFA
Thank You.
The one and only time I was ever in Bien Hoa was the same day I first set foot in country. A thing I remember was that we had just landed on a charter flight, and while the aircraft was still rolling to the parking ramp, the pilot came on the PA and said something like:
“We have just landed in Bien Hoa, South Vietnam. The outside temperature is 98 degrees. In the event of incoming mortar fire, please exit from the right front door, and proceed to the trenches adjacent to the runway. Thank you for flying with Flying Tiger.”
On that day, the 173rd had long since moved on to the Central Highlands, and still later to Binh Dinh Province on the coast above Qui Nhon. It had, among many other things, made the only combat parachute jump in the war, and been in a big bitter fight in a place called Dak To in the area near Kontum.
Something that’s hard to convey about Viet Nam to those exposed only to the Hollywood version is that there was a certain level of risk no matter where you were. While it’s true some areas were safer than others, the downside of those relatively safe areas was that most of the time they weren’t all that well prepared if a situation got bad. Being with the ARVN, for example, was not usually a confidence builder.
Sometimes, although it might sound counterintuitive, it was perceptively better to be in a slightly more risky situation if you were with people better able to deal with it. Time spent with the 173rd was that kind of thing. Not to sound maudlin, but if you were going to get in a serious fight, it would have been hard then to imagine a more lethally capable group of people to have standing with you.
Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum is named after him in his home town of Winston-Salem, NC and is where the Wake Forest University men’s and women’s basketball teams play.
The park on the lake next to Navy Pier in Downtown Chicago is named for Milton Lee Olive III .