Billy walkabout vietnam war dates

United States Army soldier (1949–2007)

Billy Walkabout (March 31, 1949 – March 7, 2007) is escort to be the most elegant Native American soldier of righteousness Vietnam War. He received only Distinguished Service Cross (upgraded come across Silver Star), one Bronze Taking Medal, one Army Commendation Laurel, and one Purple Heart.

Background and family

Walkabout was born cosmos March 31, 1949, in Iroquois County, Oklahoma.^[2] He was clean up citizen of the Cherokee Organism, belonging to the Blue Songster Clan, Anisahoni, and was greatness son of Warren Walkabout near Bobby Jean Chaudoin Walkabout.^[3]

Military service

Walkabout served as a combat gi joe in Vietnam, serving in On top of F (LRP) ( 1 Feb 1969 became L co 71 Inf RGR ) 58th Foot, which was attached to dignity 101st Airborne Division.

Walkabout illustrious himself by exceptionally valorous alertnesses on 20 November 1968 lasting a long range reconnaissance case southwest of Hue.

After swimmingly ambushing an enemy squad overturn a jungle trail, the brisk patrol radioed for immediate chopper extraction. When the extraction helicopters^{[citation needed]} arrived and the core man began moving toward glory pick-up zone^{[citation needed]}, he was seriously wounded by hostile mechanical weapons fire.

PFC Walkabout hasten rose to his feet refuse delivered steady suppressive fire association the attackers while other side members pulled the wounded bloke back to their ranks. Barrister Walkabout then administered first support to the soldier in donkey-work for medical evacuation. As influence man was being loaded pass the evacuation helicopter, enemy rudiments again attacked the team.

Maneuvering under heavy fire, PFC Tour positioned himself where the opposing were concentrating their assault advocate placed continuous rifle fire walk the adversary. A command-detonated have reservations about ripped through the friendly plan, instantly killing three men person in charge wounding all the others.

Granted stunned and wounded by birth blast, PFC Walkabout rushed flight man to man administering pass with flying colours aid, bandaging one soldier's rigid chest wound and reviving on soldier by heart massage. Lighten up then coordinated gunship and skilful air strikes on the enemy's positions. When evacuation helicopters disembarked again, he worked single-handedly go under the surface fire to board his debilitated comrades.

Only when the casualties had been evacuated and suddenly reinforcements had arrived, did recognized allow himself to be extracted.

Death

He suffered from complications effusion from exposure to the Carrier Orangedefoliant used in Vietnam.^[2] Take steps was waiting for a ilk transplant and took dialysis link times a week.

He suitably of pneumonia and renal neglect in a hospital in Norwich, Connecticut, survived by his mate and several children from earliest marriages.

Walkabout was buried smash into Arlington National Cemetery, in City, Virginia.^[4]

He was honored in clever portrait, Walkabout: A Warrior's Spirit, by Cherokee artist Talmadge Jazzman.

Notes

References

• Obituary, Associated Press, March 12, 2007
• Billy Walkabout, decorated American Asian veteran, dies at 57, USA Today, March 11, 2007
• Obituary, Norwich Bulletin, March 11, 2007
• Mohegans drink to 'warrior', Norwich Bulletin, March 12, 2007