On Aug 8 1966, a Marine platoon from E.Co. 3/4 was conducting an operation deep behind enemy lines when it was attacked and surrounded by a large NVA force.
Their CO, Capt. Howard Lee heard the distress call and immediately hopped on a chopper with 7 Marines and headed towards his men.
Upon approaching the LZ, Lee came under intense enemy fire. He quickly reinforced his perimeter as the NVA launched a crushing attack with the hopes of annihilating the platoon.
Despite being severely wounded by a grenade in several places to include his eye, he continued to push back the enemy well into the night, killing scores of communists and holding his position.
In the morning, he was forced to relinquish his command after collapsing from his wounds.
The remaining Marines continued to fight for another 6 hours until they were finally rescued.
Capt. Lee survived his wounds and was awarded the Medal of Honor. He returned to Vietnam for another tour in 1970.
After the war, he became a landscaper and volunteered for the city to mow median strips. He enjoyed working outdoors.
He passed away at the age of 85 with a piece of shrapnel still stuck near his lung.
#humblehardfuck #marines #zerofoxtrot #stayzero