Ed Freeman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ed W. Freeman
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Freeman in 2001
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| Nickname(s) | Too Tall |
| Born | November 20, 1927 Neely, Mississippi |
| Died | August 20, 2008 (aged 80) Boise, Idaho |
| Buried |
Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, Boise, Idaho
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Navy (1944–46) United States Army (1948–67) |
| Years of service | 1944–1946 1948–1967 |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) |
| Battles/wars | World War II Korean War
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| Awards | Medal of Honor Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Bronze Star Purple Heart Air Medal (16) |
Ed W. "Too Tall" Freeman (born November 20, 1927 – died August 20, 2008) was a brave helicopter pilot in the United States Army. He received the highest military award in the U.S., the Medal of Honor. He earned this award for his amazing actions during the Battle of Ia Drang in the Vietnam War. During this battle, he flew his helicopter into heavy machine gun fire 14 times. He brought important supplies to American soldiers who were surrounded. He also flew many wounded soldiers to safety. Freeman was a teammate of Major Bruce Crandall, who also received the Medal of Honor for helping in the same missions.
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Early Life and Joining the Military
Ed Freeman was born in Neely, Greene County, Mississippi. He was one of nine children. When he was 13, he saw many soldiers marching near his home. This made him want to become a soldier himself.
He grew up in McLain, Mississippi. At age 17, he joined the United States Navy and served for two years. After that, he finished high school. In September 1948, he joined the United States Army. He married Barbara Morgan in 1955. They had two sons, Mike and Doug.
Military Adventures
World War II Service
During World War II, Freeman served in the United States Navy. He was on a ship called the USS Cacapon (AO-52).
Korean War Experience
By the time of the Korean War, Freeman was a first sergeant in the Army. His unit, which was part of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, fought like regular infantry soldiers. He was part of the tough Battle of Pork Chop Hill. Out of 257 men, only 14 survived the start of the battle, and Freeman was one of them. Because of his bravery, he was given a special promotion right on the battlefield. This is called a battlefield commission. General James Van Fleet himself pinned the new rank on Freeman. He then led his company back up Pork Chop Hill.
This promotion allowed him to become a pilot, which was his childhood dream. But when he first applied, he was told he was "too tall" at six feet four inches. This is how he got his famous nickname, "Too Tall." In 1955, the height rule for pilots changed. Freeman was finally able to go to flying school. He first flew regular airplanes for the Army. Later, he switched to helicopters. After the Korean War, he flew helicopters all over the world for mapping missions.
Heroism in the Vietnam War
In 1965, Freeman went to Vietnam. He was a very skilled helicopter pilot. He was the second-in-command of his unit, which had sixteen helicopters. He was a captain in Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, part of the 1st Cavalry Division.
On November 14, 1965, Freeman and his unit flew American soldiers to the Ia Drang Valley. Later, they learned that the soldiers were in a very dangerous fight. They were taking heavy losses. The enemy fire was so strong that other medical helicopters could not land to help. Captain Freeman and his commander, Major Bruce Crandall, bravely volunteered to fly their unarmed helicopters into the battle zone. They brought in water and ammunition. They also flew out wounded soldiers. Freeman made 14 trips into the dangerous area. This battle became known as the Battle of Ia Drang.
After his heroic actions, Freeman was promoted to major. He was also named a Master Army Aviator. He returned home from Vietnam in 1966.
Receiving the Medal of Honor
Freeman's commanding officer wanted him to receive the Medal of Honor. But the paperwork was not submitted in time. So, he was given the Distinguished Flying Cross instead. Years later, in 1995, the time limit for the Medal of Honor was removed. This meant his nomination could be looked at again. On July 16, 2001, President George W. Bush officially gave him the Medal of Honor at the White House.
The Medal of Honor is given for extreme bravery. Freeman's award recognized his selfless acts. He flew his helicopter into heavy enemy fire many times. He brought in supplies like ammunition and water that the soldiers desperately needed. Without him, many more lives would have been lost. He also flew 14 rescue missions. He saved about 30 seriously wounded soldiers. These soldiers might not have lived if he hadn't flown them out. He did all this in a small landing zone, very close to the fighting. His actions showed amazing leadership and courage.
Awards and Honors
Major Freeman received many awards for his service, including:
- Medal of Honor
- Distinguished Flying Cross (with two oak leaf clusters)
- Bronze Star Medal (with "V" device for valor)
- Purple Heart
- Air Medal (with three silver oak leaf clusters)
- Army Commendation Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- Army of Occupation Medal
- National Defense Service Medal (with one oak leaf cluster)
- Korean Service Medal (with three bronze campaign stars)
- Vietnam Service Medal (with two bronze campaign stars)
- Armed Forces Reserve Medal
- Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with one Gold Star)
- United Nations Korea Medal
- Vietnam Campaign Medal
- Republic of Korea War Service Medal
He also received unit awards like the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.
Life After the Military
Freeman retired from the military in 1967. He and his family moved to Idaho, which was his wife Barbara's home state. He continued to fly helicopters for another 24 years. He helped fight wildfires, counted animals, and herded wild horses for the United States Department of the Interior. He retired for the second time in 1991. By then, he had flown helicopters for 17,000 hours and had 22,000 flight hours in total.
Death and Remembered Legacy
Ed Freeman passed away on August 20, 2008. He was buried with full military honors in Boise, Idaho.
In the 2002 movie We Were Soldiers, which showed the Battle of Ia Drang, Ed Freeman was played by actor Mark McCracken.
In March 2009, the post office in his hometown of McLain, Mississippi, was renamed the "Major Ed W. Freeman Post Office" to honor him.
See also
