thedrifter
02-22-07, 09:27 AM
Vietnam vet a 'true hero'
The Herald News
February 22, 2007
When Army Sgt. Don Boyer landed in Vietnam in 1968, he was sent to I Corp up north to Landing Zone Nancy. The main highway going north to LZ Nancy was the home of the 14th Combat Engineer Battalion. "I was first assigned to Charlie Company, but was switched to Delta Company, which was stationed at Camp Evans, where we served with the 1st Air Calvary 2/7th. We did mine sweeps together. They provided security for us while we would sweep for mines, and my job was demolition specialist," the Morris resident said. "When they would find a mine, I would go in and set a charge and blow it. We became pinned down by small arms fire a few times while on a mine sweep. I was a sergeant and one of my men hit a mine that was in command and set it off. I called for medevac. The truck was a total loss. We would get rockets and mortars sent in on us."
Boyer and one of his men headed north to LZ Nancy, but even that route wasn't safe.
"We hit a mine and the truck went down the hill flipping over," he said. "That is what we were told. I couldn't remember much about it.
"Later we worked with the 101st Airborne Division, 1st of the 501st."
A heroic act
They were given a support mission that would take the unit deep into the A Shau Valley, moving from camp to camp and fire base to fire base. Boyer and three other soldiers he was in charge of headed to Fire Support Base Blaze. There, they picked up ammunition that was flown in for them.
"As we were departing a couple miles or so, a Cobra gunship went down, and I moved in on the chopper to get my fellow soldiers out of it," Boyer said. "I tried to open the canopy by the latch but it would not open. The blade kept on turning. I don't know what all I did, but witnesses said I lifted the bird to get to the latch and sat it down and kept kicking my foot against the canopy until I broke it and pulled the pilots out to safety and gave them first aid."
For that action, Boyer received a medal with the following explanation: "For heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam: Sergeant Boyer distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on June 28, 1969, at Fire Support Base Blaze, when a fully armed Cobra helicopter crashed and overturned following a power failure on takeoff. The craft crashed within the refueling area in the middle of hundreds of five-hundred gallon fuel pods. An explosion was imminent, but Sergeant Boyer and another soldier ran immediately to the helicopter to rescue the pilot and co-pilot. Although the bent rotor blades continued to revolve dangerously and the possibility of a holocaust was ever-present, Sergeant Boyer and the other soldier concerned themselves with breaking open the cockpit canopy to free the pinned-in pilots. Both pilots were brought to safety within minutes after the crash. Sergeant Boyer's heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."
Chilling rescue
Another time, while he was running out of the jungle during an attack, he saw one of the guys on the ground wounded. Without thinking, he instantly picked up the soldier and grabbed something with his other hand.
It wasn't until he put the soldier on the transport that he realized what he had picked up: the soldier's arm, which had been blown off. The soldier was safely transported to a ship, where his arm was reattached.
"We would also get cargo nets full of North Vietnamese army soldiers who had been killed in combat. U.S. dozers would make holes so Chinooks (helicopters) could drop the nets into the holes. My cousin, Pfc. William Druschel and I were over there at the same time. He left a week ahead of me and was killed 29 days later," Boyer said. "When I returned to the states, I was sent to Fort Belvoir, Va. I spent six months there and later left for Germany in March of 1970."
In 1972, Boyer served temporary duty at the Joliet Arsenal for 10 months. Then, he was transported back to Germany to complete his tour.
"I came back to the states to Fort Dix and from there I was sent to (the United States Military Academy at) West Point as instructor in explosives," Boyer said.
There, the cadets voted him best instructor.
In addition to the award Boyer received for the helicopter rescue, he was awarded an Army Commendation Medal "for exceptionally meritorious service as a squad leader," Boyer said.
He ended his military service on Jan. 12, 1976.
A family act
"I love my duty to my country and hold it close to my heart and I still am around Army bases, because of my two stepsons, Spec. Kyle Smith and Major Jeremy Smith," Boyer said.
Boyer is far from the only member of his family to serve. His uncle Lotten Gardner was a colonel in the Army; his cousin Herky Gardner was an Army captain; his father John A. Fink Sr. was a corporal in the Army during World War II; Uncle Robert Wilson was a corporal in the Marines; and his two brothers, Ron Boyer and John Fink Jr., served in the army.
Boyer's nephew Raymond Haldorson is in the Army and recently graduated from Ranger School. He's attending Airborne School in Fort Benning, Ga. and will be stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.
"My niece's husband, Michael Hayes, Army, is currently in Fort Bragg, NC., finishing Special Forces selection. He completed Airborne School in Fort Benning, Ga.," Boyer said. "We are all very proud to have served our country."
"I don't think Don realizes the impact he has had on others' lives," his wife, Kathy, said. "He is truly a hero. He tells stories of coming home and having people spit on him and refuse to let him and his buddies into a taxi for a ride. There was no band and no glory for them to return to. Is it a wonder why the Vietnam veterans suffered with so many problems to weigh on their hearts?"
Boyer still is serving, but this time he's helping vets and current soldiers as president of the 14th Combat Engineer Battalion Association.
Know a current or retired soldier who would like to talk about his or her experiences? Contact Jean Edwards, staff writer, at (815) 729-6049 or at jedwards@scn1.com
Ellie
The Herald News
February 22, 2007
When Army Sgt. Don Boyer landed in Vietnam in 1968, he was sent to I Corp up north to Landing Zone Nancy. The main highway going north to LZ Nancy was the home of the 14th Combat Engineer Battalion. "I was first assigned to Charlie Company, but was switched to Delta Company, which was stationed at Camp Evans, where we served with the 1st Air Calvary 2/7th. We did mine sweeps together. They provided security for us while we would sweep for mines, and my job was demolition specialist," the Morris resident said. "When they would find a mine, I would go in and set a charge and blow it. We became pinned down by small arms fire a few times while on a mine sweep. I was a sergeant and one of my men hit a mine that was in command and set it off. I called for medevac. The truck was a total loss. We would get rockets and mortars sent in on us."
Boyer and one of his men headed north to LZ Nancy, but even that route wasn't safe.
"We hit a mine and the truck went down the hill flipping over," he said. "That is what we were told. I couldn't remember much about it.
"Later we worked with the 101st Airborne Division, 1st of the 501st."
A heroic act
They were given a support mission that would take the unit deep into the A Shau Valley, moving from camp to camp and fire base to fire base. Boyer and three other soldiers he was in charge of headed to Fire Support Base Blaze. There, they picked up ammunition that was flown in for them.
"As we were departing a couple miles or so, a Cobra gunship went down, and I moved in on the chopper to get my fellow soldiers out of it," Boyer said. "I tried to open the canopy by the latch but it would not open. The blade kept on turning. I don't know what all I did, but witnesses said I lifted the bird to get to the latch and sat it down and kept kicking my foot against the canopy until I broke it and pulled the pilots out to safety and gave them first aid."
For that action, Boyer received a medal with the following explanation: "For heroism not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam: Sergeant Boyer distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on June 28, 1969, at Fire Support Base Blaze, when a fully armed Cobra helicopter crashed and overturned following a power failure on takeoff. The craft crashed within the refueling area in the middle of hundreds of five-hundred gallon fuel pods. An explosion was imminent, but Sergeant Boyer and another soldier ran immediately to the helicopter to rescue the pilot and co-pilot. Although the bent rotor blades continued to revolve dangerously and the possibility of a holocaust was ever-present, Sergeant Boyer and the other soldier concerned themselves with breaking open the cockpit canopy to free the pinned-in pilots. Both pilots were brought to safety within minutes after the crash. Sergeant Boyer's heroic actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army."
Chilling rescue
Another time, while he was running out of the jungle during an attack, he saw one of the guys on the ground wounded. Without thinking, he instantly picked up the soldier and grabbed something with his other hand.
It wasn't until he put the soldier on the transport that he realized what he had picked up: the soldier's arm, which had been blown off. The soldier was safely transported to a ship, where his arm was reattached.
"We would also get cargo nets full of North Vietnamese army soldiers who had been killed in combat. U.S. dozers would make holes so Chinooks (helicopters) could drop the nets into the holes. My cousin, Pfc. William Druschel and I were over there at the same time. He left a week ahead of me and was killed 29 days later," Boyer said. "When I returned to the states, I was sent to Fort Belvoir, Va. I spent six months there and later left for Germany in March of 1970."
In 1972, Boyer served temporary duty at the Joliet Arsenal for 10 months. Then, he was transported back to Germany to complete his tour.
"I came back to the states to Fort Dix and from there I was sent to (the United States Military Academy at) West Point as instructor in explosives," Boyer said.
There, the cadets voted him best instructor.
In addition to the award Boyer received for the helicopter rescue, he was awarded an Army Commendation Medal "for exceptionally meritorious service as a squad leader," Boyer said.
He ended his military service on Jan. 12, 1976.
A family act
"I love my duty to my country and hold it close to my heart and I still am around Army bases, because of my two stepsons, Spec. Kyle Smith and Major Jeremy Smith," Boyer said.
Boyer is far from the only member of his family to serve. His uncle Lotten Gardner was a colonel in the Army; his cousin Herky Gardner was an Army captain; his father John A. Fink Sr. was a corporal in the Army during World War II; Uncle Robert Wilson was a corporal in the Marines; and his two brothers, Ron Boyer and John Fink Jr., served in the army.
Boyer's nephew Raymond Haldorson is in the Army and recently graduated from Ranger School. He's attending Airborne School in Fort Benning, Ga. and will be stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.
"My niece's husband, Michael Hayes, Army, is currently in Fort Bragg, NC., finishing Special Forces selection. He completed Airborne School in Fort Benning, Ga.," Boyer said. "We are all very proud to have served our country."
"I don't think Don realizes the impact he has had on others' lives," his wife, Kathy, said. "He is truly a hero. He tells stories of coming home and having people spit on him and refuse to let him and his buddies into a taxi for a ride. There was no band and no glory for them to return to. Is it a wonder why the Vietnam veterans suffered with so many problems to weigh on their hearts?"
Boyer still is serving, but this time he's helping vets and current soldiers as president of the 14th Combat Engineer Battalion Association.
Know a current or retired soldier who would like to talk about his or her experiences? Contact Jean Edwards, staff writer, at (815) 729-6049 or at jedwards@scn1.com
Ellie