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a great man has passed

woodhogwoodhog Member Posts: 13,115 ✭✭
edited July 2014 in General Discussion
I met him once. He lived down the street from a construction job we were working on. The car drove by each day and we noticed MOH on the license plate. That nite I looked up on the computer, people who had received the MOH who might be local and the right age. When I found him, I was astounded. I printed out the circumstances and brought it to work to show the other fellows. The next time he drove by, we stood in awe. At the town parade two years ago, he was a guest of honor and I was lucky enough to meet him. He passed away last nite. The town will hold a remembrance and celebration of his life. If you would like to see what a real hero is, look up John Caviani, Viet Nam War veteran. The story will bring a tear to your eyes...
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Comments

  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sorry for our loss prayers sent from S.E., WI.
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  • Sam06Sam06 Member Posts: 21,244 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    RIP

    SGM Caviani
    RLTW

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  • Dads3040Dads3040 Member Posts: 13,552 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Staff Sergeant Cavaiani's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

    S/Sgt. Cavaiani distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 and 5 June 1971 while serving as a platoon leader to a security platoon providing security for an isolated radio relay site located within enemy-held territory. On the morning of 4 June 1971, the entire camp came under an intense barrage of enemy small arms, automatic weapons, rocket-propelled grenade and mortar fire from a superior size enemy force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani acted with complete disregard for his personal safety as he repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire in order to move about the camp's perimeter directing the platoon's fire and rallying the platoon in a desperate fight for survival. S/Sgt. Cavaiani also returned heavy suppressive fire upon the assaulting enemy force during this period with a variety of weapons. When the entire platoon was to be evacuated, S/Sgt. Cavaiani unhesitatingly volunteered to remain on the ground and direct the helicopters into the landing zone. S/Sgt. Cavaiani was able to direct the first 3 helicopters in evacuating a major portion of the platoon. Due to intense increase in enemy fire, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was forced to remain at the camp overnight where he calmly directed the remaining platoon members in strengthening their defenses. On the morning of 5 June, a heavy ground fog restricted visibility. The superior size enemy force launched a major ground attack in an attempt to completely annihilate the remaining small force. The enemy force advanced in 2 ranks, first firing a heavy volume of small arms automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenade fire while the second rank continuously threw a steady barrage of hand grenades at the beleaguered force. S/Sgt. Cavaiani returned a heavy barrage of small arms and hand grenade fire on the assaulting enemy force but was unable to slow them down. He ordered the remaining platoon members to attempt to escape while he provided them with cover fire. With 1 last courageous exertion, S/Sgt. Cavaiani recovered a machine gun, stood up, completely exposing himself to the heavy enemy fire directed at him, and began firing the machine gun in a sweeping motion along the 2 ranks of advancing enemy soldiers. Through S/Sgt. Cavaiani's valiant efforts with complete disregard for his safety, the majority of the remaining platoon members were able to escape. While inflicting severe losses on the advancing enemy force, S/Sgt. Cavaiani was wounded numerous times. S/Sgt. Cavaiani's conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.

    RIP

    Soli Deo Gloria
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  • Ditch-RunnerDitch-Runner Member Posts: 25,371 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Wow
    what a man . sounds like war movie come to life or a movie's were based on his heroism . ay he RIP
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  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    How did he survive the battle? Was he taken prisoner? Did they think he was dead and ignore him?
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
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  • bullshotbullshot Member Posts: 14,720 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Doc
    How did he survive the battle? Was he taken prisoner? Did they think he was dead and ignore him?


    Read this:

    http://dailynightly.msnbc.com/2007/06/medal_of_honor__4.html
    "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you"
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  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    grew up with a quiet man who walked slightly bent over and talked very quiet...wasn't till after he died that I heard about his heroism in Korea....his outfit was overrun and he was machine gunned across the middle while trying to stop an overwhelming attack...played dead and took 3 days to hide and crawl back to American lines...dad in law gathered his box of medals to send to his
    daughter....RIP Daniel Gailey and others..with honor and respect
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