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War Hero Billy Walkabout Passes away
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Mar 08, 2007 - Billy Walkabout died March 7, 2007. He was the most decorated Native American soldier of the Vietnam War. Billy, a full blood Cherokee, was living in Connecticut and lost his last fight with Agent Orange complications. He was 57 yrs old. Billy, an Airborne Ranger of the 101st, received a Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest U.S. decoration for gallantry in combat, for his actions during one such incident in November 1968. " [After] a long range reconnaissance patrol southwest of Hue… [Sergeant Walkabout's team] radioed for immediate helicopter extraction. When the extraction helicopters arrived and the lead man begin moving toward the pick-up zone, he was seriously wounded by hostile automatic weapons fire. Sergeant Walkabout quickly rose to his feet and delivered steady suppressive fire on the attackers while other team members pulled the wounded man back to their ranks. Sergeant Walkabout then administrated first aid to the soldier in preparation for medical evacuation. As the man was being loaded onto the evacuation helicopter, enemy elements again attacked the team. Maneuvering under heavy fire, Sergeant positioned himself where the enemy were concentrating their assault and placed continuous rifle fire on the adversary. A command detonated mine ripped through friendly team, instantly killing three men and wounding all the others." Although stunned and wounded by the blast, Sergeant Walkabout rushed from man to man administering first aid, bandaging one soldier's severe chest wound reviving another soldier by heart massage. He then coordinated gunship and tactical air strikes on the enemy's positions. When evacuation helicopters arrived again, he worked single-handedly under fire to board his disabled comrades. Only when the casualties had been evacuated and friendly reinforcements had arrived, did he allow himself to be extracted." | |