Wanted to share, my brother….

water turkey

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3:43p, 1/5/25

My brother passed away just after Christmas. He was an infantryman in Vietnam from 1970-1971. He was awarded two bronze stars, and an air medal. He didn't speak much of his service, as it was too painful.

Interesting that at the funeral, no one knew how he received the air medal as an infantryman. Some theories that he was pressed into assisting the pilot during an evac situation? One vet was describing that 10 credits had to be earned to receive that medal?

Does anyone know how we might find out the details of how he received that metal?

God bless my brother and all our combat veterans.

Thanks

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clarythedrill

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7:43p, 1/5/25

Was he in the 1st Cavalry Division? A lot of those troopers received that award due to all the Air Assault missions they did. Also, he could have been serving as a door gunner even though he was an Infantryman. That was not uncommon during that war.

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water turkey

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In reply to clarythedrill • 8:23p, 1/5/25

clarythedrill said:
Was he in the 1st Cavalry Division? A lot of those troopers received that award due to all the Air Assault missions they did. Also, he could have been serving as a door gunner even though he was an Infantryman. That was not uncommon during that war.

Co B, 1st BN, 18th Inf, 1st Inf Division
Fort Riley, Kansas
5th U.S. Army

OldArmyCT

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4:39a, 1/6/25

AG

Enlisted or commissioned? It was easier for commissioned to get an AM as they would sometimes have to fly in the back of a helicopter to direct things., maybe call in artillery That's how a lot of infantry commanders and platoon leaders qualified. Or he was a pax when a chopper diverted to pick someone up under fire.
2 Bronze Stars usually means 2 tours or 2 units, 1st ID had aviation units, he could have served as a door gunner but I would think that would be on his DD-214.
If you have his paper military records the citation should be there. You can get them by clicking the link.
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records

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water turkey

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In reply to OldArmyCT • 7:16a, 1/6/25

OldArmyCT said:
Enlisted or commissioned? It was easier for commissioned to get an AM as they would sometimes have to fly in the back of a helicopter to direct things., maybe call in artillery That's how a lot of infantry commanders and platoon leaders qualified. Or he was a pax when a chopper diverted to pick someone up under fire.
2 Bronze Stars usually means 2 tours or 2 units, 1st ID had aviation units, he could have served as a door gunner but I would think that would be on his DD-214.
If you have his paper military records the citation should be there. You can get them by clicking the link.
https://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records

Thank you. He was enlisted.

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74OA

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In reply to water turkey • 12:02p, 1/6/25

AG

Helo door gunner?

Military records: RESOURCES

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water turkey

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1:18p, 1/6/25

His DD214 says "Lt Wpns Inf"

Fly Army 97

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6:48a, 1/9/25

Have numerous infantrymen who have air medals serving as door gunners. Also happened for observers to get them in Vietnam in OH aircraft. Most of them seem to be field artillery, but that doesn't mean others were precluded.