THE WALL OF FACES

Soldier's family gets medals after 40 years

WAVE TV 3
Louisville, Kentucky
Dec 27, 2008 11:19 PM EST
By Lindsay English

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - The son of a Vietnam veteran got a gift this holiday season that his family has been working toward for 40 years. Tom Davidson's father, Tom Davidson, Senior, lost his life in the Vietnam War back in 1968. AS WAVE 3's Lindsay English reports, now his son feels his father has finally gotten the recognition he deserves.

For Tom Davidson, the memories of life with his father, living on post at Fort Knox, are still fresh in his mind.

"I went to work with him at Fort Knox. I rode in the tanks, jeeps, trucks. I messed with the soldiers. I went to eat in the mess hall with him," says Davidson.

He also remembers when his father, Sgt. Tom Davidson, a long time soldier and Korean War veteran, went to fight in the Vietnam War.

"He sat down, had a talk with me. Said take care of your mother, I'll be alright, whatever. I'd sit in front of that TV looking at the news, looking to see if I could see my dad," Davidson said.

But Sgt. Davidson didn't come back.

"Right before my 5th birthday in May, my dad was killed. April 23rd, 1968," says Davidson.

He says his family was told Sgt. Davidson had earned several medals but they only had one.

"For forty years, everybody told us we should have gotten these medals. The only one we got was the bronze star," Davidson says.

Getting those remaining medals, ten in all, was something Davidson's mom talked about tracking down, but never did.

"We don't know, they never did give them to us," says Davidson.

So this year, Tom Davidson, Junior worked on getting those medals in honor of his dad. The day after Christmas, finally, months of paperwork and calls paid off.

"When I got these medals, I was so excited. After all these years, I thought it was the greatest honor. And the greatest Christmas present I could've ever gotten, was to get these medals," he says.

Davidson says he still doesn't know why his dad didn't get the medals, but he's just glad to have them.

Thomas was assigned to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse) at the time of his death. 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia are attempting to locate relatives of all of our Troopers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Please contact us at: 11thac[email protected] or through our website: http://www.11thcavnam.com

POST-TO-POST HORSE-TO-HORSE AND ONTO FIDDLERS GREEN ALLONS AND AMEN.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

Thomas is buried at Ft Knox Post Cem. The cemetery says his unit was 3 Sqn, M Trp, 11 Arm Cav.

My name is Kaitlyn Paxton. I am a senior at Gridley High School. We're part of the Gridley High School Posting Project and are remembering soldiers who have fallen. I truly thank you for your services.