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Post by donkeydude on Nov 9, 2004 0:40:46 GMT -5
Today marks the 38th anniversary of a man named Capt. Rupides Rubio making the ultimate sacrifice in the Republic of South Vietnam. On that day, Nov. 8th, 1966, the unit Capt. Rubio commanded was ambushed by a numerically superior force. Many men were killed quickly and the unit began to fall apart. Capt. Rubio quickly got his men situated and under control. An air strike was called for and smoke grenade was thrown to mark the position of the Viet Cong. Capt. Rubio realized the grenade was not thrown far enough. Without regard to his own life Capt. Rubio ran out picked up the smoking grenade and ran forward with it until he was struck down by enemy fire. Still not believing the grenade was far enough away to ensure the safety of his men Capt. Rubio again came to his feet and moved forward until he was stuck down for the final time and killed. His actions that day ensured that the remaining men in his unit lived to see another day. One of those men was SFC William L. Reed, my father. I owe Capt. Rubio my life and I never met him he died 19 years before I was born. Capt. Rubio was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumously, for his actions on that day in November of 1966.
DE OPPRESSO LIBER - To liberate the opressed, motto of the 5th Special Forces Group, USA.
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Post by LauraJean on Nov 9, 2004 12:03:59 GMT -5
Thanks for telling this amazing story --most especially since you shared your personal connection to this incredibly heroic American.
It's such a shame that the Vietnam Vets have been so maligned over the last 30 years, their reputations called into question, their heroism ignored, their love of their country and of freedom trivialized. It's so good to share these stories and introduce us to the heroes of this war.
Again, thank you.
God bless, LJ
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Post by Jan on Nov 10, 2004 19:14:27 GMT -5
WOW - thank you for sharing! <><
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Post by compguy on Jan 26, 2005 19:04:09 GMT -5
I am a disabled Vietman Vet. There are many things that happened like that and I've witnessed a lot of them.
The biggest hurt for us I guess was when we got home people were throwing things at us and calling us "baby killers". I tried to join the VFW and AL but they wouldn't have us then either (different now though). The only way most of us could survive was to hide the fact we were ever there. It's sad isn't it? I used to tell people I was in a bad car wreck.
I salute Capt. Rubio for what he had done.
Compguy aka Sgt Brown 17th CAG
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