Frank J. Limiero, Jr.

"All good things come to those who wait".  A familiar saying that many who served understand.  The phrase "hurry up and wait", another if you spent time in the military.  Very appropriate for myself after the years of trying and finally getting accepted for my award of Purple Heart.

It was way back on June 17, 1967 that my unit of the 1st Division, 1/16 Inf. Rangers were engaged in Operation Billings, the Battle of Xom Bo II. Our sites were set on a "Search and Destroy" mission chasing down the elusive NVA lead, Viet Cong 271 Regiment. 

Aided by another battalion, the 2/28 Black Lions, our strength was about 600 men in all seeking an enemy reportedly of about 2,400 strong.  Upon arriving at our destination, after cutting through massive jungle growth, Clover Leaf units were those first to be fired upon while the rest of the two battalions began their defensive fighting positions.

My unfortunate luck was to be positioned where it was the most likely area of approach for Charlie.  Me as an RTO and my machine gunner were forward covering that Ox Cart trail in the middle of nowhere.  I'll never forget it as RPG's, hand grenades, and one after the other enemy troops attacked down this a major highway in the forest. 

After calling for and being strafed and wounded by jets with their 20mm cannons firing ahead of a colored smoke canister position ignited by behind us by incoming fire, we feared that our time had come.  As veteran Rangers we would continue our fight to the very end even as enemy mortar rounds came in on us.  The shrapnel from them, and our own artillery burning through my jungle fatigues.  A reminder, there was no giving up if we wanted to stay alive. 

I was ordered by my Commanding Officer to take charge of the situation because of my knowledge of a battlefield fight.  We gather our wits under a dreadful amount of ordinance being used against us.  We were the difference between being over run and holding off the enemies relentless advance.

After a lasting fire fight leading to the major battle for about six hours, we held off their attempt to break through our lines and maybe defeat us as a effective war fighters unit.

Many Rangers in my platoon fought as we did causing a high amount of WIA and DIA.  I was one of the lucky ones.  Seven were able to walk away of about 140 men.  I was recognized during the action, by the upper brass, as a vital part of the disengagement and final defeat of our adversary.  For that I reluctantly was awarded a Silver Star and put in for my Purple Heart.

For 53 years after being encouraged by my doctors monitoring my PTSD to file for and receive my PH with an extensive list of letters from my commanders and fellow Rangers and suffering with PTSD,  the bureaucracy finally losing any records realized I was due my award.  Their excuse was they "didn't know the veracity of the battle". 

 My awards are my life line to that of of many failures and accomplishments.  I'm very proud of them.  They entitle me a place to be amongst those who didn't survive Xom Bo and be buried alongside of them in Arlington Cemetery.

Like that Battle of Xom Bo II, I never gave up what I was deservingly awarded so many years later and earned that dreadful day so many years ago.  Never give up what we are entitled to for proudly serving our nation along with our fellow comrades in arms.  

God Bless America!

This Story of Valor was provided by the Purple Heart recipient.