NcDeuce
06-16-2004, 12:20 PM
Medal of Honor winner revisits post
Dix signs of copies of book honoring veterans
By CHANTAL ESCOTO
For 8-year-old Conner Delaney, the Medal of Honor means a cool Play Station 2 video game where World War II combat comes to life between American and German soldiers.
But Conner met the real thing Tuesday at Fort Campbell's Military Clothing and Sales Store, when Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix signed books that feature him and 115 others for their heroic actions in war.
"We saw it in the newspaper that he was going to be here and with Father's Day coming up, we thought it would be a good gift," said Wendi Delaney, Conner's mother, who bought the autographed book for her husband, Capt. Rob Delaney, a soldier with 2nd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment.
As Mrs. Delaney left the store, she assured Conner that his father would "reeducate" him on the true meaning of Medal of Honor.
Dix, 59, stopped at Fort Campbell on his book-signing tour across the United States to promote the newly published hardcover called, "Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty" by author Peter Collier and photos by Nick Del Calzo.
The book highlights the moments that changed the lives of ordinary men who were just doing their job that earned them the highest military decoration.
"A lot of soldiers did heroic things, but because it was never witnessed it goes unheard of," said Dix, who served with the U.S. Army Special Forces and was attached to the CIA during the 1968 Tet Offensive in Vietnam. Years later he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell after he became a commissioned officer.
The book cites Dix as a 25-year-old sergeant working in Cambodia with a Navy Seal team when he came upon heavy enemy fire, losing many of his soldiers. He pushed through the city of Chau Phu, picking up friendly soldiers and saving civilians along the way. In 1969, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon Johnson.
Second Lt. Patrick Tabin said it was a "real big honor" to meet Dix and have him sign his book.
"Especially just now getting in the Army and starting my career -- it's very motivating," said Tabin, who is assigned to 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment.
But for Dix, he said he's the one who is honored.
"To see all these soldiers coming by to thank me for my service," Dix said, "but really, I'm the one thanking them."
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040616/localnews/654689-293738.jpg
Drew Dix hands a book he autographed to 2nd Lt. Patrick Tabin, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, at the Military Clothing and Sales store at Fort Campbell Tuesday. Dix is featured in the book, "Medal of Honor : Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty."
woot
Dix signs of copies of book honoring veterans
By CHANTAL ESCOTO
For 8-year-old Conner Delaney, the Medal of Honor means a cool Play Station 2 video game where World War II combat comes to life between American and German soldiers.
But Conner met the real thing Tuesday at Fort Campbell's Military Clothing and Sales Store, when Medal of Honor recipient Drew Dix signed books that feature him and 115 others for their heroic actions in war.
"We saw it in the newspaper that he was going to be here and with Father's Day coming up, we thought it would be a good gift," said Wendi Delaney, Conner's mother, who bought the autographed book for her husband, Capt. Rob Delaney, a soldier with 2nd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment.
As Mrs. Delaney left the store, she assured Conner that his father would "reeducate" him on the true meaning of Medal of Honor.
Dix, 59, stopped at Fort Campbell on his book-signing tour across the United States to promote the newly published hardcover called, "Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty" by author Peter Collier and photos by Nick Del Calzo.
The book highlights the moments that changed the lives of ordinary men who were just doing their job that earned them the highest military decoration.
"A lot of soldiers did heroic things, but because it was never witnessed it goes unheard of," said Dix, who served with the U.S. Army Special Forces and was attached to the CIA during the 1968 Tet Offensive in Vietnam. Years later he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell after he became a commissioned officer.
The book cites Dix as a 25-year-old sergeant working in Cambodia with a Navy Seal team when he came upon heavy enemy fire, losing many of his soldiers. He pushed through the city of Chau Phu, picking up friendly soldiers and saving civilians along the way. In 1969, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Lyndon Johnson.
Second Lt. Patrick Tabin said it was a "real big honor" to meet Dix and have him sign his book.
"Especially just now getting in the Army and starting my career -- it's very motivating," said Tabin, who is assigned to 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment.
But for Dix, he said he's the one who is honored.
"To see all these soldiers coming by to thank me for my service," Dix said, "but really, I'm the one thanking them."
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040616/localnews/654689-293738.jpg
Drew Dix hands a book he autographed to 2nd Lt. Patrick Tabin, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, at the Military Clothing and Sales store at Fort Campbell Tuesday. Dix is featured in the book, "Medal of Honor : Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty."
woot