AmericanSpring 2008 Valor A publication of The American Veterans Center - World War II Veterans Committee - National Vietnam Veterans Committee Quarterly American Valor Quarterly A Quarterly Publication of the American Veterans Center www.americanveteranscenter.org World War II Veterans Committee National Vietnam Veterans Committee www.wwiivets.com www.vietnamvetscommittee.org Spring 2008 Chapters -In This Issue- Special Feature Stories of Valor American Veterans Center’s Tenth Annual Awards For the past decade, the American Veter- 7 Each year on Veterans Day, the American Veterans ans Center, with the World War II Veterans Center honors the U.S. military’s greatest heroes from Committee and the National Vietnam Veter- every generation, World War II through today. Here, ans Committee, has brought together we share their stories, and print the award citations. America’s greatest military heroes, past World War II Chronicles and present, for an annual Veterans Day High school students line up to shake conference. There, they meet with and hands with veterans of the 442nd The Black Sands of Iwo Jima with Charles W. Tatum, speak to an audience of hundreds of stu- Regimental Combat Team of World War II at the 10th Annual Conference. 12 Donald Mates, and James White dents, fellow veterans, and citizens inter- A first-hand account of the most legendary - and brutal ested in hearing the stories of our most distinguished veterans. - battle in the history of the U.S. Marine Corps. In this issue, we share with you several of those stories recounted at the WWII: The Japanese American Experience Center’s 10th Annual Conference last Veterans Day weekend. 18 In the battle against prejudice at home and America’s enemies abroad, Japanese Americans proved to be heroes on two fronts. A New Legacy of Valor Korea: Remember our Heroes The Battle of Tarin Kowt 32 An excerpt from Veterans Chronicles Valor at Chosin with Maj. Jason Amerine, leader of the Special Forces team that 22 Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. linked up with Hamid Karzai early on in Operation Enduring The first Medal of Honor recipient of the Korean War Freedom, recounts his incredible story. recalls his attempts to save the life of his fellow Naval Aviator and friend. Valor: The VeTerans of VieTnam Operation Phantom Fury: The Second Battle of Fallujah 24 37 with Col. Willy Buhl, SSgt. David Bellavia, and Sgt. We Were Soldiers: The Battle of Ia Drang with Jeremiah Workman Lt. General Hal Moore, Joseph Galloway, and the men The fighting experienced by the Marines and soldiers in made famous by their acclaimed book Operation Phantom Fury was the toughest urban combat Against an overwhelming enemy force, the men of the 1st since Hue City during the Tet Offensive, 40 years ago. Cavalry Division (Airmobile) are put to the ultimate test, Here, the heroes of Fallujah recall the defining battle of demonstrating the courage and honor that would become Operation Iraqi Freedom. commonplace among the U.S. servicemen in Vietnam. Coming this November! The American Veterans Center’s 11th Annual Veterans Conference In the coming pages, you will read the stories of some of America’s greatest military heroes told at the American Veterans Center’s 10th Annual Conference. If you missed seeing them live in 2007, don’t fret! You still have an opportunity, as we invite you to join us for the upcoming 11th Annual Conference, to be held from November 6-8, 2008 in Washington, DC. From the heroes of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam to those serving us today, it will be a weekend none who Jimmy Doolittle’s B-25 launches from the USS Hornet for attend will soon forget! his legendary raid on Tokyo in 1942. The 11th Annual To request information on attending the 11th Annual Conference, call Conference is your opportunity to meet heroes like the Doolittle Raiders, and many more! 703-302-1012 ext. 203 or e-mail [email protected] FROM THE EDITOR Honoring Their Sacrifice By Tim Holbert “Humility…humility…should be the portion of a person who are the transcripts from a number of the speaker panels receives fame or acclaim based on the blood of his subordinates, and that took place at the conference, featuring veterans of the sacrifices of his friends.” World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, along with our brave young men and women who are serving us so gallantly today. These few lines were spoken by retired Lt. General Hal Also included are the citations for the American Veterans Moore, upon being presented with the American Veterans Center’s 2007 award recipients, those veterans and service Center’s Joe Ronnie Hooper Award on November 10, 2007. members who have displayed such valor far beyond the Those words have hung in my mind since that night. Of call of duty and a depth of character that remains long course, they provide a glimpse into his character and the after their own battles have ended. reasons why so many brave men have followed him into battle. But the words really mean much more. They serve For those readers who were not able to attend the as a reminder to each of us—whether we served in battle, conference, this is your opportunity to take part in this served in peacetime, or merely know someone who has gathering of heroes; for those who did attend, we hope served—that it is our duty to not merely remember those that this will provide an opportunity to relive a weekend who have sacrificed, but to share their stories, and to keep that none of us who were there will soon forget. And, as their legacies alive for future generations. always, we ask that when you are finished reading this issue, you share it with at least one young person you know, so We at the American Veterans Center are dedicated to doing that they might gain a new appreciation for the concepts our small part in this mission, and are honored to have of duty, honor, and country embodied by our military men your support along the way. As our readers may know, each and women. Each of these panels, and many more, can year over Veterans Day weekend, we bring together also be viewed by visiting our website at America’s most distinguished veterans for our three-day www.americanveteranscenter.org. annual conference where they share their experiences with hundreds of high school and college students, fellow Regardless, this issue of AVQ, along with the many other veterans, and citizens eager to learn the stories of our programs of the American Veterans Center, is dedicated to uniformed heroes. that one mission—to preserve the stories, teach the lessons, and honor the sacrifices of all those who have worn the In this issue of American Valor Quarterly, we are proud to uniform of the United States military. share several of these stories with you, told at our 10th Annual Conference from November 8-10, 2007. Included AVQ American Valor Quarterly, Spring 2008 A quarterly publication of the American Veterans Center, 1100 N. Glebe Rd. Suite 910, Arlington, VA 22201. Telephone: 703-302-1012. Fax: 571-480-4140. James C. Roberts - President Tim Holbert - Editor/Program Director The American Veterans Center is comprised of two divisions, the World War II Jim Michels - Director of Development Veterans Committee and the National Vietnam Veterans Committee. American Jordan Cross - Director of Communication Valor Quarterly is mailed to donors to the World War II Veterans Committee or National Vietnam Veterans Committee who make a contribution of $50 or more Andrew Lee - Graphic Illustrator per-year. Contributions help fund the Center and Committees’ various speaker Anna Tyler - Editorial Assistant conferences, student programs, the National Memorial Day Parade, documentary Chris Graham - Researcher and oral history projects, and this publication. To make a contribution or subscribe, Michael Paradiso - Publisher call 703-302-1012 or e-mail [email protected]. American Valor Quarterly - Spring 2008 - 3 The American Veterans Center Presents The 10th Annual Veterans Conference From November 8-10, 2007, America’s greatest military heroes, past and present, converged on Washington, DC for the American Veterans Center’s 10th Annual Veterans Conference. What began a decade ago as a small gathering of World War II veterans has grown into one of the nation’s largest and most visible Veterans Day celebrations. Throughout the three days of the conference, distinguished veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and those young men and women serving us today shared their experiences and lessons on leadership with an audience of hundreds of people—most importantly several hundred high school and college students, who must be counted on to carry the legacy of those who have served in the past into the future. In addition to three days of speakers and panels, the conference featured wreath laying ceremonies at our nation’s war memorials, evening receptions in honor of America’s heroes and those who have been wounded in the line of duty, and the American Veterans Center’s 10th Annual Awards Banquet, which paid tribute to our greatest service members from every generation. Over the next few pages, we would like to share with our readers a recap of the event, featuring photos and highlights of the weekend. Following that, we are proud to include the citations for the American Veterans Center’s 2007 award recipients, as we honor their devotion to duty both on and off the battlefield. If you would like information on attending the Center’s 11th Annual Veterans Conference, to be held from November 6-8, 2008 in Washington, DC, call 703-302- 1012 ext.