This year’s 50th anniversary of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s Celebrate America’s Military includes a unique virtual event to honor the past, the present and the future of our Nation’s Military. As we go back to our roots in a time where there was wide spread lack of support for our military men and women, San Antonio was eager and willing to plan a series of events to reflect on and share appreciation for the sacrifices made by our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. These events grew to be the nation’s largest series of events to celebrate the military and became a true testament to our patriotic spirit in the Alamo Region – officially trademarked as Military City USA.
Now 50 years later, the events have shifted from May to November and usually boast more than 70 events in a short two-week time period leading up to Veterans Day. Rightfully so, many of our 2020 events have been cancelled and will be planned in hopes of in-person celebrations in 2021. However, our Military partners still deserve recognition, appreciation, and celebration, so the Chamber’s events and a handful of other community events have shifted to virtual and recorded platforms.
In honor of our origins nearing the close of the Vietnam War, we are excited to host the Spirit of America event from 12:00pm to 1:00pm on Tuesday, November 10th virtually and feature inspiring keynote remarks from Retired United States Army Major General Patrick Brady, Vietnam Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient. As a 1st Lieutenant serving in the 54th Medical Detachment serving as pilot of a UH-1 medevac helicopter, Brady acted “with unmatched skill and extraordinary courage” and rescued 51 seriously wounded men near Chu Lai, South Vietnam, on Jan. 6, 1968. His citation awarded by President Richard Nixon on October 27, 1969, reads:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Major Patrick Henry Brady (ASN: 0-88015), United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Medical Service Corps, 54th Medical Detachment, 67th Medical Group, 44th Medical Brigade, in action against enemy aggressor forces at Chu Lai, Republic of Vietnam, on 6 January 1968.
Major Brady, 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 two 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, Major Brady made four flights to this embattled landing zone and successfully rescued all the wounded. On his third mission of the day Major 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, Major Brady was requested to land in an enemy minefield where a platoon of American soldiers was trapped. A mine detonated near his helicopter, wounding two crewmembers and damaging his ship. In spite of this, he managed to fly six severely injured patients to medical aid.
Throughout that day, Major Brady utilized three helicopters to evacuate a total of 51 seriously wounded men, many of whom would have perished without prompt medical treatment. Major Brady's bravery was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
On January 6, 1968, Brady was supposed to be off-duty. However, there was an extraordinary situation that required his help. He rose quickly, and despite warnings that the mission was impossible, set out to rescue the injured. Brady and his crew extracted soldiers from areas where others had failed. Of his heroic efforts that day, Brady says it was just like any other day. The difference this time was that someone cared to write about it. During his two tours in Vietnam, he flew over 2,000 combat missions and evacuated more than 5000 wounded. He was one of only two men to receive BOTH the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Service Cross during the Vietnam War. He retired as a Major General in 1993 after 34 years of service.
We are grateful he is available to share his story with us, a story of selfless service, sacrifice, dedication and loyalty to family and country. Don’t miss the opportunity to be inspired and to reflect on the service of our Nation’s Veterans in this special way.
To register for the Spirit of America event, click here.
