War Hero Found!

Vietnam War Combat Sgt. Steve Lintl was a Platoon sergeant when I arrived in Vietnam to join an infantry unit. Steve rarely broke a smile, or at least to me, he was all business. I am proud to have served with and under Sgt Lintl; he was a leader, a brave soldier and someone everyone looked up to. I also thank him for saving my life on November 23, 1970. Our squad (8 guys) was searching for VC and walked into booby trap. One of our guys must have either tripped a wire or it was manually detonated? Immediately after the booby trap went off the VC started dropping mortars shells or hand grenades in on us. The VC knew we were vulnerable due to shock from the explosion and knowing we would have wounded. We had three guys down, 2 with severe injuries and it appeared we might be surrounded. The two severe injuries were Vernon Zornes & Rob Runge. Tom Glynn our point man was also hurt. These guys were all very popular. As a FNG new guy, I was assigned a position in the back of the pack behind Zornes. Zornes body protected me from the blast that went off in front of him.




I was unprepared for seeing a buddies injured compounded by facing being overrun by the enemy. Should I tend to my wounded buddy or defend myself? You wonder if attacked, what would you do? Run, hide, freeze up or start fighting back? I have to admit I was scared and did take a second, but then immediately started patching his sucking chest wound and giving him CPR. As the enemy pounded us with mortar rounds I realized it could be the end for me and the entire squad. 3 squad members were down, 3 of us were tending to the injured, leaving only 2 guys to repel the enemy. Then came the Calvary so to speak, the rest of our platoon heard the explosions and came running. It was just like the Western's I had seen as a kid. Without regard for their lives our platoon members came through a hedgerow near us. They were lead by Sgt. Lintl, Eldred Sadler and others. I will never forget the relief I got when I saw them , I knew that we would be OK.
Unfortunately, Zornes and Runge did not survive. Tom Glynn did and I am still in contact with him. I found out that day under extreme duress I could show courage and clear thinking. It's easy to think your tough until you really get into that intense situation. All the men I served with on that day learned what they were made of, they answered the call and served with distinction. I have found Steve Lintl.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Combat
• brave
• soldiers
• hero
• FB
• Liz
• Zornes
• Runge
• Tierney
• Kailua
• Steve
• Lintl
• Grunts
• 1971
• gunships
• Vietnam
• war
• Huey
• combat
• footage
• assault
• American
• soldier
• US Army
• 23rd Infantry
• veterans
• tribute
• memorial
• viet nam
• helicopter
• aviation
• Sharks
• dolphins
• 174th
• 116th
• Hornets
• Duc Pho
• Mo Duc
• LZ Liz
• Delta company
• 1/20th
• Alpha Company
• Jungle
• Warriors
• Americal
• Vern
• Vernon Zornes
• Bronco
• Chu
• Lai

[Soldier296]

WolfieRed, thank you all for your service, if it weren't for you all, we'd not be able to do what we do today, Thank you, and WELCOME HOME!!!

SSG Marlow

1175the Transportation Co.

2x Iraq Veteran

[WolfieRed1]

@Soldier296 Staff, proud to have you here and thank you for your service and my salute to you. Keep your head down and protect those that look to you for what you are, a Leader. Love that armor, especially as a grunt who humped 80+ pounds every day. Although I realize metal is a magnet and you know what I mean. Thanks for your kind remarks and respect. Wolfie

[steelerbradd]

Hey Wolfie, hows it going?

[WolfieRed1]

@steelerbradd Pretty good, but I am into trying to get a new business started and puttin in lots of hours. Its all exciting, but a lot of hours. Hope all is well. I am going to be very depressed if no football this year. Wolfie

[Goonerton]

WolfieRed1: I have so much repect for you and what you had to do. Your dedication was was the nicest thing. I'm in my 30s but, studied the vietnam war for my history exams back in the day. It was only then by looking into it myself I came to understand how you men were real men. On top of it all it's good to see you made it back to the world.

TOP GEEZER.

[SalvadorianThunder]

This video really touched me. Although I'm from El Salvador, Thanks for your service Mr. WolfieRed1, God bless you and your family my friend.

[WolfieRed1]

@steelerbradd Yes, you should do that, does he have any old pictures or movies?

[WolfieRed1]

@steelerbradd Been buried in a marketing project. The guy that got the wall erected, John Wheeler was killed a month or so ago, it was in the news. I knew him, he was supposed to go with us when my reunion unit went to the wall last year. His death is a real mystery.

[steelerbradd]

@WolfieRed1 Where you at Wolfie? Waiting for your comment. Told my wife about you and she thinks I ought to make one of these videos for my father in law, and see if we can find some of his buddies from Vietnam.

[steelerbradd]

@WolfieRed1 No, not coming over to the Jags, never. So the M203 Golf I think it was called. Had a very small calibur granade launcher attached right? The M60 is what was issued to me, I guess cause I am a big guy. I also trained with M16, all range quals are with the m16 in the Marine Corps. Good, glad to hear you made it to the wall a few times, really drives home a point when you see all those names in front of you, it becomes more than just a number.

[WolfieRed1]

@steelerbradd Been to the wall a couple of times, each very emotional. Went last year with 150 last year for my Unit reunion. We all wore the same shirts and hats. We got a standing ovation by the tourists. I have many friends on the wall, they are holding a cold beer for me. I just tell them to pull me up. I got a 16, then a 203 which are still being used today in the mini versions. What do you mean you didn't mean the Jags? Are you coming over to the Teal side? Just kidding? Wolfie

[steelerbradd]

@WolfieRed1 Assumption correct! Of course I didn't mean the Jags LOL. What were you issued when you were in Vietnam? M1? I always tease my Father in law and tell him that he is so old they probably issued him a musket. Have you made it to the wall in D.C. yet? I went there a few times when I was stationed at Quantico. If not, I am sure you would enjoy it and probably will break your heart a bit as you read the names of your fallen Comrads, may those warriors rest in peace.