8th of Nov
What happened on November 8, 1965
What happened Nov. 8th 1965
The 173rd Airborne Brigade was ambushed by Viet Cong during Operation Hump. One of the wounded, Niles Harris, was among the several soldiers saved by Lawrence Joel, who later became the first living black American to receive the Medal of Honor since the Spanish-American War. Years later, Harris gave Big Kenny (one half of the duo) the top hat he often wears in public appearances.
Lawrence Joel (February 22, 1928–February 4, 1984) was a United States Army Sergeant First Class who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. While serving in Vietnam, as a medic with the rank of Specialist Five assigned to 1st Battalion of the 503rd Infantry Regiment in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Joel received the Silver Star and the Medal of Honor for his heroism in a battle with the Viet Cong that occurred on November 8, 1965. He was the first medic to earn the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam conflict and the first living black American to receive this medal since the Spanish-American War in 1898.
Who is Lawrence Joel?????
While serving in Vietnam, as a medic with the rank of Specialist Five assigned to 1st Battalion of the 503rd Infantry Regiment in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Joel received the Silver Star and the Medal of Honor for his heroism in a battle with the Viet Cong that occurred on November 8, 1965.Caught in the action of Kill or Be killed no greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his brother !!!
Sgt L Joel survived that day and the war to retire after 25 yrs of service passing in 1984 ! a very under rated battle forgotten to history BUT many a brave man fought and died that day!!! I will Remember them!!!!
What he did
On November 8, 1965 Specialist Five Lawrence Joel and his battalion of paratroopers were sent on a patrol for Viet Cong soldiers near Bien Hoa, war zone ”D” in the heart of Vietnam, conducting Operation Hump. Joel and his battalion shortly found themselves in a Viet Cong ambush, outnumbered six to one. Under heavy gunfire, Joel did his duty as a medic, administering first aid to wounded soldiers. Joel defied orders to stay to the ground and risked his life to help the many wounded soldiers; nearly every soldier in the lead squad was either wounded or killed in the battle. Even after being shot twice (once in the right thigh and once in the right calf), Joel continued to do his job; he bandaged his wounds and continued to help the wounded in not only his unit, but in the nearby company as well. When his medical supplies were depleted, he hobbled around the battlefield for more, using a makeshift crutch while SP4 Randy Eickhoff ran in front and provided covering fire. Eickhoff later was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions. Joel attended to thirteen troops and saved the life of one soldier who suffered from a severe chest wound by improvising and placing a plastic bag over the soldier’s chest in order to seal the wound until the supplies were refreshed. After the firefight which lasted over twenty-four hours, Joel was hospitalized and shipped to locations including Saigon, Vietnam and Tokyo, Japan to recover. Shortly after, he received the Silver Star for his activities on November 8, 1965.
Who is Niles Harris
Who is he????
He is one of the few that lived in the 173rd airborne brigade on operation hump in Vietnam was injured and now limps when he walks from shrapnel left in his leg. He wasn’t looking for the attention.
But, sometimes fate intercedes despite your best intentions or your personal desires. For Deadwood resident Niles Harris, his fate may have been sealed two autumns ago when he hobbled downtown to listen to an aspiring country duo known as Big & Rich.
“I met ‘em that night at the Buffalo Bar and we got along pretty well,” Niles recalls, rubbing his gray goatee. “I took them out to some abandoned gold mines in the Black Hills a few days later and they enjoyed it. While we were hanging out, I gave them this story of a battle I was in in Vietnam.”
That battle, now four decades old but still not long enough ago for Niles, is about to be brought to life through the music of Big & Rich. It is the story of young men sent far away to do battle against an often unseen enemy, in jungles so thick and moist Niles can still smell them.
It is the story of the “8th of November.”
How many people survived?????
There was not many people that survived in this sad battle of surprise. It was not an expected fight.
The Vieatnam side
The leader of the ambush was not wanting to fight or hurt anyone. The reason is because the government forced him to if he didn't they would kill him and his family.