Lawrence Joel

This morning we honored Lawrence Joel.  He was a medal of honor winner for is unarmed actions in the Vietnam War were he saved multiple lives at the risk of his own.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp6c. Joel demonstrated indomitable courage, determination, and professional skill when a numerically superior and well-concealed Viet Cong element launched a vicious attack which wounded or killed nearly every man in the lead squad of the company. After treating the men wounded by the initial burst of gunfire, he bravely moved forward to assist others who were wounded while proceeding to their objective. While moving from man to man, he was struck in the right leg by machine-gun fire. Although painfully wounded his desire to aid his fellow soldiers transcended all personal feeling. He bandaged his own wound and self-administered morphine to deaden the pain enabling him to continue his dangerous undertaking. Through this period of time, he constantly shouted words of encouragement to all around him. Then, completely ignoring the warnings of others and his pain, he continued his search for wounded, exposing himself to hostile fire; and, as the bullets dug up the dirt around him, he held plasma bottles high while kneeling completely engrossed in his lifesaving mission. Then, after being struck a second time and with a bullet lodged in his thigh, he dragged himself over the battlefield and succeeded in treating 13 more men before his medical supplies ran out. Displaying resourcefulness, he saved the life of one man by placing a plastic bag over a severe chest wound to congeal the blood. As one of the platoons pursued the Viet Cong, an insurgent force in concealed positions opened fire on the platoon and wounded many more soldiers. With a new stock of medical supplies, Sp6c. Joel again shouted words of encouragement as he crawled through an intense hail of gunfire to the wounded men. After the 24-hour battle subsided and the Viet Cong dead numbered 410, snipers continued to harass the company. Throughout the long battle, Sp6c. Joel never lost sight of his mission as a medical aidman and continued to comfort and treat the wounded until his own evacuation was ordered. His meticulous attention to duty saved a large number of lives and his unselfish, daring example under most adverse conditions was an inspiration to all. Sp6c. Joel’s profound concern for his fellow soldiers, at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

The Thang

First, we took a short mosey over to the  amphitheater. We knocked out 3 set Australian Mountain Climbers, CDD’s, Rocky Balboa’s, and Big Boys. The numerology was based on Mr. Joel’s biography growing up in Winston Salem, NC and Unit in the Army

Next we took a mosey to the hill and bear crawled up and down for a few sets doing LBC’s and Merkins on the top and bottom of the hill.

Then we moseyed over to the tennis courts and broke off into 3 groups of ~4. One PAX would lie in between each tennis court.  The last PAX would simulate Mr. Joel and do 20 squats, mosey to the next court, pick up the PAX, and to 20 squats with PAX until all PAX were picked up. While the PAX were waiting to be pick up they completed the following.

• 1st set LBC’s
• 2nd set Flutters
• 3rd set Merkins
• 4rd  set Big Boys

Lastly, we took a short Mosey to the parking lot. We then lunged walked to the light pole, did 20 squats, mosey to the next light pole, did 20 squats, lunged walked to the next light pole and so on until we reach the flag and that was time.

Our legs were hurting but nothing like the HIM Lawrence Joel, a humble man, who said before receiving his honor – ““I just wish I could have done more. I never say that I deserved the medal. That’s just not for me to say. It was just my job.”

If you are interested in learning more about Lawrence Joel – Lawrence Joel MoH – YouTube (6:30)

Prayer Request

• Huckleberry
• Turtleman
• Striper and Family
• Boss and Family
• Sarlacc and Family
• Wirenut and Family
• All Prayers spoken and unspoken

Big Pappy