Legendary correspondent Joseph Galloway has died at the age of 79.
Galloway’s wife Grace announced that the man responsible for writing “We Were Soldiers Once…And Young” died Wednesday after being hospitalized in North Carolina, according to the Los Angeles Times. (RELATED: Watching ‘Band Of Brothers‘ Never Gets Old. Here’s Why It’s Such A Great Series)
“He was the kindest, most gentle and loving man. He loved the boys and girls of the U.S. military. He loved his country,” Grace said after her husband’s passing.
VVMF joins all our Vietnam veterans who are mourning the loss of Joe Galloway. Joe was an author, award-winning journalist, and civilian reporter during the Vietnam War. We will miss his voice, his unique perspective, and his kindness to our troops. https://t.co/RbVTJZuxC6 pic.twitter.com/hFk7GrFjGS
— Vietnam Vet Memorial (@VVMF) August 18, 2021
Galloway is most famous for covering the battle between American troops and the North Vietnamese forces in the la Drang Valley in 1965.
While most journalists would panic under fire, Galloway became the only civilian in history to be awarded the Bronze Star for his heroic actions in the la Drang Valley during the Vietnam War.
“We who have seen war will never stop seeing it.”
A man who made sense of the Battle of Ia Drang for a generation is gone.
Joe Galloway, legendary war correspondent and the only the only civilian to receive the Bronze Star Medal with V for heroism in Vietnam, has died at 79 pic.twitter.com/58rLxyc6dj
— XVIII Airborne Corps (@18airbornecorps) August 18, 2021
As the communists pounded the American position, Galloway rescued the wounded and did what he could to help make sure the good guys won the day.
His actions and the actions of everyone else at the fight were immortalized in his book, which later became a movie starring Mel Gibson.
Most men wouldn’t accomplish in 1,000 lifetimes what Galloway did in his 79 years on this planet. When the bullets started flying in Vietnam, he didn’t run for cover. He stayed to document the carnage on the ground and fought to save as many as he could.
The man was a damn hero, and I’m proud guys like him exist.
Rest easy, Mr. Galloway. Your legacy will never be forgotten.