On the recordMay 19, 2021
As our Nation approaches Memorial Day 2021, I am deeply privileged to enter into the Congressional Record the true story of a great soldier and an agonizing battle during the War in Vietnam. The story recounts the superhuman valor of a great army soldier named John Eade, heroic son of my hometown of Toledo, Ohio. John is held in the highest esteem by all who know him. He is a faithful friend and a true patriot, a superlatively strong soldier, yet a humble decorated warrior for liberty. Yes, he is a Purple Heart and more. He has been tested beyond human limits his entire life. He has triumphed against overwhelming odds, including lifelong war wounds, time and time again. In November 1965, Sergeant John Eade, then 21, was deployed in Vietnam, a fire team leader in the 1st Calvary division and its ill- fated 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company. On November 14, 1965, Sergeant Eade and his team were sent to reinforce their sister battalion that was engaged in very heavy fighting at Landing Zone X-Ray in La Drang Valley. Two days later, believing the enemy was destroyed and the worst fighting seemingly over, the 1st and 2nd Platoons Bravo were all choppered out. But John Eade and his team left Landing Zone X-ray the morning of November 17, marching 10 kilometers to nearby Landing Zone Albany. They were the first to arrive. They established the command post and defense perimeter, and other companies were still coming up the trail.…
