Global Courant 2023-05-29 17:01:34
Generations of Americans made the ultimate sacrifice as they served in the nation’s armed forces and emerged as heroes on the battlefield.
On Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect the United States of America and its interests around the world.
Read below to learn about the heroism of six members of the United States Armed Forces who died in combat and gave their lives in their fight for freedom.
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Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Milton Olive IIIGary GordonRandall ShughartLori PiestewaRobert J. Miller
1.Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.
Joseph Kennedy Jr., the older brother of the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy, died on August 12, 1944, after a World War II bombing failed.
Lt. Joseph Kennedy Jr. had volunteered for the bombing mission, codenamed “Operation Aphrodite,” in which he eventually died, the National Park Service says. (Getty Images)
His mission was to fly over Normandy, France in a radio-controlled B-17 bomber to a German V-2 missile launch site, arm the explosives on board, then parachute to safety before the plane exploded over the German target says the National Park Service, which oversees the family’s former home in Massachusetts.
However, the explosives ignited before the Navy lieutenant and his counterpart could eject, killing them instantly. The cause of the explosion has never been determined.
He was posthumously awarded the Air Medal and the Navy Cross.
2. Milton Olive III
Army Pfc. Milton Olive III became the first African American recipient of the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War after falling on a grenade to save his fellow infantrymen.
The incident happened while he was patrolling Phu Cuong in 1965 — and less than a year later, Olive’s father and stepmother received his posthumous medal in a ceremony at the White House, the Department of Veteran Affairs notes.
After a member of the Viet Cong hurled a grenade at his platoon, Olive ran forward and yelled, “I got it!” and stuffed the grenade in his waist before he took the brunt of the blast.
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“It was the most incredible display of selfless courage I have ever seen,” his platoon commander later said.
PVC. Milton Olive III jumped on a grenade to save his fellow soldiers during the Vietnam War. (Getty Images)
3-4. Gary Gordon and Randall Shughart
Army Master Sgt. Gary Gordon and Sgt. 1st Class Randall Shughart was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroic actions during the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia in October 1993.
When the pair learned during the conflict that ground forces were not immediately available to secure a crash site for a Black Hawk helicopter, they unhesitatingly volunteered to be deployed to protect the four seriously injured personnel, despite the fact that they were well aware of the growing number of enemy personnel. approaching the area,” the army said.
Gordon and Shughart braved intense small arms fire as they made their way to the wreckage, killing an undetermined number of enemy attackers before running out of ammunition. They were both fatally injured themselves after protecting the downed crew and their actions saved a pilot’s life, the military says.
The men’s actions were later portrayed in the 2001 war film “Black Hawk Down”.
5. Lori Piestewa
army spc. Lori Ann Piestewa became the first Native American woman to die in combat on foreign soil and the first American woman to die in the Iraq War after her support unit was ambushed on March 23, 2003 near Nasiriyah, the military says.
“Her Humvee was weaving to avoid gunfire when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the front left wheel, crashing the vehicle. She and a handful of personnel survived, but all were captured,” the Department of Veteran Affairs said. “Piestewa was specifically sent to a hospital in Nasiriyah.”
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“On April 1, 2003, US Special Forces attempted to rescue the POWs,” it added. “When they didn’t find her, she was declared MIA. Later, Special Forces discovered a massively shallow grave behind the hospital. A body there was positively identified as Lori Piestewa.”
Piestewa was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal.
6. Robert J. Miller
Army Staff Sgt. Robert J. Miller was credited with saving the lives of seven US soldiers and 15 Afghan National Army troops ambushed by insurgents in Konar province in 2008.
The military says that after attacking enemy positions, Miller led a small squad to measure the damage of the battle, but the group came under sudden attack.
Memorial Day is about honoring servicemen who gave their lives for their country, family and freedom. (iStock)
“Sergeant Miller stood at the front of the patrol as a punt man, cut off from support elements and within 20 yards of enemy forces,” the statement said. “Nevertheless, with utter disregard for his own safety, he called on his men to move quickly back to covered positions while engaging the enemy across open ground and under overwhelming enemy fire to protect his team.”
The 24-year-old was shot in the upper body during his advance but continued to push forward, taking fire from more than 100 insurgents, the army says.
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“After killing at least 10 insurgents, wounding dozens more, and repeatedly exposing himself to withering enemy fire as he moved from position to position, Staff Sergeant Miller was mortally wounded by enemy fire,” according to Miller’s Medal of Honor citation , which he received posthumously.
Greg Norman is a reporter at Fox News Digital.
