Heroes You Should Know

Letter from the Editor

by Tim Holbert

Every generation has its heroes—those who step forward and willingly accept challenges that most individuals would shy from. These heroes know not only personal bravery, in the sense that they overcome their fears to put themselves in harm’s way. They also know moral courage, discipline, honesty and fairness, and practical wisdom—in a word, they have character.

Lt. General Dave R. Palmer, Vietnam veteran and former Superintendent of West Point, recently wrote on the subject of character: “Leaders of character know the difference between right and wrong and have the courage to act accordingly; that is, they have the moral fiber to take the harder right instead of the easier wrong.”

In this issue of Valor, we profile two men whose stories of character you should know. Both are heroes. Both deserve to be remembered. Both represent the finest of the generation of Americans who willingly accepted the challenge, and served their country in Vietnam.

To the readers of this publication, the story of Col. George “Bud” Day is likely well known. A Marine Corps veteran of the South Pacific in World War II and two-tour fighter-bomber pilot in Korea, it was during his service in the Air Force during Vietnam that he became a legend. Shot down over North Vietnam on August 26, 1967, Day was immediately captured and subsequently tortured. Rather than submit to the enemy, he not only refused to cooperate, he made a daring escape, eluding the enemy for nearly two weeks. Though eventually recaptured and transferred to the notorious “Hanoi Hilton,” his spirit endured. Despite threats, torture, and inhuman living conditions, he continually resisted his captors for six long years, until he was freed in 1973. In 1976, already a legend, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Another hero you should know is Staff Sergeant Joe Ronnie Hooper. His tale of valor is much greater than merely his decorations—which include the Bronze Star, Silver Star, eight Purple Hearts, and the Medal of Honor. SSgt. Hooper, like Col. Day, was dedicated to his country and his cause, and was willing to sacrifice himself for them. His inspiring leadership on the battlefield is also the stuff of legend, and a legend is what he deserves to be.

Joe Hooper died in 1979, and his story of valor has largely been forgotten over time. The National Vietnam Veterans Committee, recognizing this slight, has recently created an annual award in his name to be presented to another hero of Vietnam. On Saturday, November 11, 2006—Veterans Day—the inaugural Joe Ronnie Hooper Award will be presented to this other great hero of Vietnam, Col. George “Bud” Day.

There are many more heroes you should know. Ones who served during World War II, Korea, Vietnam—as well as our brave men and women currently in Afghanistan and Iraq. This fall, from November 8-11 at the American Veterans Center’s Ninth Annual Conference, many of these heroes from across the generations will converge on Washington, DC, to tell their own stories, and to demonstrate to the next generation the value of service and sacrifice—and character. While we certainly hope that you will join us for the event itself, just as valuable would be for you to pass this issue of Valor on to a young person when you are finished with it, so they can learn of men such as Joe Hooper and Bud Day, and recognize the true character of America’s veterans of Vietnam.