By Julie Hoerth with Doug LaViolette
One of the common traits among the Medal of Honor recipients is their modesty. Ask any one of them about their heroic efforts and they’ll all say the same thing. “I’m just a regular guy. Nobody special. Just doing my job.”
None of the honorees exemplifies this more to me than Gary Wetzel.
Meeting Gary for the first time, one might find himself intimidated. A highly-decorated Vietnam War Veteran, Gary worked as a heavy equipment operator in South Milwaukee. A prosthetic arm replaces the one he lost when he was blown into a rice paddy by a homemade grenade while defending our freedom at the age of 19.
On the inside, Gary has a heart of gold. He’s a true Wisconsinite – a proud Harley Davidson-driving Milwaukee man who epitomizes the down-to-earth attitude and strong work ethic that Midwesterners are known for.
Photo by Nick DelCalzo
At the age of 18, Gary joined the United States Army. During his first tour, he was assigned to the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company, the Robin Hoods, where he served as a door gunner. Just ten days away from being shipped home from Vietnam, Gary was gunned down for the fifth time on January 8, 1968. He and his crew found themselves deep in enemy territory, surrounded by hostile fire.
Two of Gary’s fellow crew members were killed outright in the battle. While going to the aid of his aircraft commander, Gary was hit by a grenade that caused severe wounds to his right arm, chest and left leg, and severed his entire upper left arm. Under the circumstances, Gary continued fighting for the next 12 hours.
Despite the fact that he continued to lose blood and pass in and out of consciousness, Gary forged on, grabbing the wounded soldiers around him and dragging them across the rice paddy to safety.
The following morning, Gary and the other survivors were rescued. He was taken to a field hospital where he spent just over a week on the critical list. Gary had suffered spinal damage, and his left arm was amputated. Once they were able to stabilize him, they sent him to a hospital in Tokyo.
Gary was a young man when he sustained these life-changing injuries. He could have become bitter, or hardened, but he chose to move on. Gary spent about five months at Ft. Simmons, outside of Denver, Colorado, where he had various skin grafts, learned to walk again and got adjusted to using his new prosthetic arm.
It is worth repeating, Gary is a true Wisconsinite. Not surprisingly, he is a Green Bay Packer fan through and through. He’ll tell you he’s a fan of “the old black and blue division – when football was football.” During the Medal of Honor Convention in Green Bay that was spearheaded by Brian’s Foundation, we arranged for all of the recipients to attend a Packer game. Gary, along with the other Wisconsin recipients, took part in the coin toss. Gary wore a Bart Starr jersey that day. Standing on the field he made eye contact with Brett Favre and said, “No offense pal. This is my hero.”
Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers, photo by Doug LaViolette, circa 1971
Years earlier, during recovery in Tokyo, Gary had the honor of meeting his hero in person. It was a down time for Gary – he was learning to come to terms with the fact that his arm was gone and the trials he would face as he transitioned back into the civilian world. There were professional football players visiting on the U.S.O. Tour, and someone asked if anyone on the ward was from Wisconsin. The next thing he knew, Bart Starr was in his room. Gary says chatting with Bart lifted his spirits and was just what he needed. When Bart Starr returned home from the tour, Gary read an article about him in American Legion Magazine where he was asked about his most memorable moments from the tour. Bart said what he remembered most was meeting “a little ‘ole red-headed guy that lost his left arm from Wisconsin.” I think it’s kind of neat that Bart Starr and Gary Wetzel had an impact on each other.
That same year, while working as an expediter back in Wisconsin, Gary was approached by three men – a colonel, a major and a first sergeant – who told him to pack his bags for a trip to Washington to receive the Medal of Honor. Gary didn’t believe them. He had already been honored with the Distinguished Service Cross – the second highest military honor. In his words, “Nobody thinks they’re going to receive a Medal of Honor.” It took the men two weeks, but they were finally able to convince Gary that they were sincere. On November 19, 1968, Gary Wetzel received the highest military honor from President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Still, Gary says his heroic efforts were no big deal. He just did what he had to do.
Today Gary speaks to high school students throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest, relaying his story and trying to teach them about the meaning of sacrifice and patriotism. He teaches them about the realities of war – that it is horrifying, not glorifying – and tries to pass on the message of what it truly means to give back to your country.
While in Green Bay for the 2007 Medal of Honor Convention, he spoke to West DePere High School students. Gary said that the school visits were his favorite during the convention and if he can change just one student’s life, then he did his job. Gary continues to make a difference in the lives of students. And he will make a big one next year, as the sponsor of the $10,000 Brian LaViolette Scholarship.
Gary Wetzel can say what he wants about being just a regular guy. In my eyes, he is a true American hero.
