one tough dead guy.
nzshadow
5,518 Posts
BOISE, Idaho - David Bleak, a Korean War medic who received the Medal of Honor for rescuing a comrade amid hand-to-hand combat in 1952, has died. He was 74. Bleak died Thursday at Lost Rivers District Hospital in Arco of complications from emphysema, Parkinson's disease and diabetes, family members said.Bleak was a 20-year-old sergeant in the medical company of the 223d Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division, when he volunteered to go with a reconnaissance patrol, U.S. Army records say.The Army's description of his actions on June 14, 1952, said Bleak killed two of the enemy with his bare hands and a third with his trench knife, and then shielded a comrade from the impact of a grenade that had fallen near the man's helmet.[/b] Though he was wounded in the leg, Bleak began to carry the injured soldier, the medal citation said. Attacked by two enemy soldiers with bayonets, "he grabbed them and smacked their heads together[/b] , then carried his helpless comrade down the hill to safety."Bleak returned to the U.S. soon after. In 1953, President Eisenhower awarded him the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor, at a White House ceremony.Born in Idaho Falls in 1932, Bleak enlisted in the Army at age 18. He was singled out for medic training because he was tall and strong, said his son Bruce Bleak of Moore.After his military service, Bleak worked as various jobs, including running a dairy farm and serving as a technician at the Idaho National Laboratory, a nuclear research compound, his son said.He called his father a humble man who felt others had acted just as courageously but without recognition."He always said he carried the medal for them as well," the younger Bleak said.Bleak is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lois; three sons; a daughter; two brothers; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren, Bruce Bleak said. 
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He was the inspiration for that Stan Ridgeway song.
Maybe
By Richard Savill
(Filed: 28/03/2006)
A Second World War pilot who escaped seven times from prisoner of war camps has died aged 102.
Friends said Sqn Ldr Eric Foster, who died peacefully at his home in Bishop's Cleeve, Glos, on Sunday, was part of the inspiration behind Steve McQueen's character in the film The Great Escape.
As a flight lieutenant with 38 Bomber Squadron, Mr Foster was shot down over Paris while flying a Wellington bomber in 1940 and captured by German troops.
Over the next four years he escaped seven times from prisoner of war camps, sometimes dressed as a German officer.
He was taken to a German prisoner of war camp at Homark, near the Polish border, and tried to break out by shinning down a fire escape.
At Spangenberg Castle, which was surrounded by a moat, he sneaked out disguised as a member of the Hitler Youth.
He took a train to Switzerland but was caught during a chase.
He was taken to the Polish camp of Schubin, where he spent eight months digging escape tunnels, which guards discovered.
He was then taken to Stalag Luft III camp on which The Great Escape was based.
He convinced his captors he was insane and was sent home. He was promoted to squadron leader in 1945.
He later wrote about his exploits in his autobiography Life Hangs by a Silken Thread, which was published in 1992. Michael Beresford, 74, a friend, said some of Mr Foster's wartime activities were depicted by McQueen, who played Captain Virgil Hilts in the popular 1963 film.
Hilts, nicknamed "The Cooler King", was a fictional character but was believed to have been based on several real escapees.
Mr Beresford said: "Eric lived an extremely active life. After he was shot down he escaped seven times, but was recaptured. Eric had some good tales from the war, which he told in his autobiography."
The RAF said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of the many great RAF heroes who fought bravely against Nazi tyranny.
"His service was exemplary and his heroics legendary."