Photo By Alun Thomas | Sgt. 1st Class Fernando Gonzalez (left), station commander, Scottsdale Recruiting...... read more read more
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The Scottsdale Recruiting Center played an active role supporting Medal of Honor recipient, retired Maj. Gen. Pat Brady, during his appearance at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show Auction, Jan. 19, WestWorld of Scottsdale.
The recruiting station was invited by Barrett-Jackson to represent the military and provide a color guard for Brady, who was the guest speaker at the event.
Brady was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1968 for his heroic actions in Vietnam, while commanding a UH-1 ambulance helicopter.
His citation reads:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, Maj. Brady distinguished himself while serving in the Republic of Vietnam commanding a UH-1H ambulance helicopter, volunteered to rescue wounded men from a site in enemy held territory which was reported to be heavily defended and to be blanketed by fog. To reach the site he descended through heavy fog and smoke and hovered slowly along a valley trail, turning his ship sideward to blow away the fog with the backwash from his rotor blades. Despite the unchallenged, close-range enemy fire, he found the dangerously small site, where he successfully landed and evacuated 2 badly wounded South Vietnamese soldiers. He was then called to another area completely covered by dense fog where American casualties lay only 50 meters from the enemy. Two aircraft had previously been shot down and others had made unsuccessful attempts to reach this site earlier in the day. With unmatched skill and extraordinary courage, Maj. Brady made 4 flights to this embattled landing zone and successfully rescued all the wounded. On his third mission of the day Maj. Brady once again landed at a site surrounded by the enemy. The friendly ground force, pinned down by enemy fire, had been unable to reach and secure the landing zone. Although his aircraft had been badly damaged and his controls partially shot away during his initial entry into this area, he returned minutes later and rescued the remaining injured. Shortly thereafter, obtaining a replacement aircraft, Maj. Brady was requested to land in an enemy minefield where a platoon of American soldiers was trapped. A mine detonated near his helicopter, wounding 2 crewmembers and damaging his ship. In spite of this, he managed to fly 6 severely injured patients to medical aid. Throughout that day Maj. Brady utilized 3 helicopters to evacuate a total of 51 seriously wounded men, many of whom would have perished without prompt medical treatment. Maj. Brady's bravery was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.’
Brady spoke to those assembled at the auction about a proposed Medal of Honor museum and what it would mean.
“America has no kings or queens, but we do have nobility,” Brady said. "And I’ve met so many veterans here who have just that. They all believe in the promise of the future generations … and the Medal of Honor society – sadly we’re dying.”
“One day there will be nobody to replace us. We have a great society who are trying to build a museum,” Brady continued. “People like me are starting to worry about our legacy, so we want to preserve it for the generations to come.”
| Date Taken: | 01.23.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.23.2018 14:40 |
| Story ID: | 262988 |
| Location: | SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 135 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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