Major Bruce P. Crandall

* Rank and Organization: Major , U.S. Army, Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).

* Place and date: Ia Drang Valley , Republic of Vietnam , 14 November 1965 .
*Place and date of birth: Olympia , Washington , 1933.

*Citation: Major Bruce Crandall distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism as a Flight Commander in the Republic of Vietnam while serving with Company A, 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). On 14 November 1965 , his flight of sixteen helicopters was lifting troops for a search and destroy mission from Plei Me, Vietnam , to Landing Zone X-Ray in the Ia Drang Valley. On the fourth troop lift, the enemy had Landing Zone X-Ray targeted. As Major Crandall and the first eight helicopters landed to discharge troops on his fifth troop lift, his unarmed helicopter came under such intense enemy fire that the ground commander ordered the second flight of eight aircraft to abort their mission. As Major Crandall flew back to Plei Me, his base of operations, he determined that the ground commander of the besieged infantry battalion desperately needed more ammunition. Major Crandall then decided to adjust his base of operations to Artillery Firebase Falcon in order to shorten the flight distance to deliver ammunition and evacuate wounded soldiers. While medical evacuation was not his mission, he immediately sought volunteers and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, led the two aircraft to Landing Zone X-Ray. Despite the fact that the landing zone was still under relentless enemy fire, Major Crandall landed and proceeded to supervise the loading of seriously wounded soldiers aboard the aircraft. Major Crandall’s voluntary decision to land under the most extreme fire instilled in the other pilots the will and spirit to continue to land their own aircraft, and in the ground forces the realization that they would be resupplied and that friendly wounded would be promptly evacuated. This greatly enhanced morale and the will to fight at a critical time. After his first medical evacuation, Major Crandall continued to fly into and out of the landing zone throughout the day and into the evening. That day he completed a total of 22 flights, most under intense enemy fire, retiring from the battlefield only after all possible service had been rendered to the Infantry battalion. His actions provided critical resupply of ammunition and evacuation of the wounded. Major Crandall’s daring acts of bravery and courage in the face of an overwhelming and determined enemy are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

My name is Jesus Hernandez and I want to tell you that I am thank full for your courage, and all of your good deeds that you have done for this country. Not many people would get in a plane knowing of all the dangers that there is. You may have just been doing your job but by you doing it you saved thousands of innocent people. To some troop and people you were probably like an angel in the sky. Just once agene I wanted to say thank you for your courageous you are a true inspiration on many people.

MY Parents American Dreams

father's american dream
My father’s American dream was to be a American citizen and to fined a good job, to have a house of his own and start a family hear in the United States. My father, Jose Hernandez came her with house of his own and start a family hear in the United States. My father, Jose Hernandez came no papers, but after living her for some time he erred his papers. Plus when my dad came from Mexico all he new about jobs was only about carpentering. So my dad made My dad’s big dream was to ha that his care and sins that day he has done these job most of his life.ve a nice house that was not to big or small or expensive. He has almost paid off the house. Also he wanted a family and to live happy for the rest of his life.

Mother’s American Dream
My mother’s American dream was to come to the United Stats to work and to get a new truck or car. My mom’s dream was to work here for a long time and save as much money as possible to take back to her mother, father and her two sisters and one brother. My mom worked here for about two years then went back to Mexico to give some money to here family. Then father she went back to the United Stats and worked once agene but this time she worked to get her stayed her and later met a person witch today is my dad. self a truck or car. And before you new it she had here car. Sins then she has