Sulphur Bluff mailman named Veteran of the Year, one of most decorated veterans in Hopkins County

The Hopkins County Freedom Ball once again Saturday night brought together veterans who have served in branches of the US Armed Forces with those who wish to show appreciation for their service, while raising funds and awareness for veterans program.

Special Recognition

A special award pre- sented at the Freedom Ball is the Veteran of the Year. This year’s recipient was noted to be one of the most decorated veterans in Hopkins County, but one most will recognize for his service in the local community — as a Sunday school and Bible study teacher, who delivers mail in Sulphur Bluff, has been married for almost 50 years and has raised nine kids.

Ronald Caldwell is a 1966 United State Military Academy West Point graduate. In 1969, while serving as Commanding Officer of Troop D, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. Captain Ronny Caldwell was leading an armored team when it was directed to reinforce another team which was heavily engaged with a well-concealed and heavily-entrenched battalion-sized North Vietnamese Army force.

Arriving at the scene of conflict, Capt. Caldwell led his team in the assault. Moments later, his tank was hit by an anti-tank grenade, wounding him in the head and seriously injuring the other crew members. Refusing medical aid, Caldwell pressed on with the attack into the heavy enemy fire. When his vehicle became disabled, he dismounted it and, despite the heavy fire, moved to another vehicle from which he continued the assault. This tank received an intense volley of anti-tank grenades, severely damaging the communications system.

Again Captain Caldwell ran through the hostile fire to take command of a different tank. He continued to direct heavy suppressive fire against the enemy positions. Repeatedly, he dismounted his tank in order to supervise medical attention to wounded personnel. Caldwell's unfailing leadership proved invaluable in neutralizing the enemy force which resulted in 20 North Vietnamese Army soldiers being killed and one officer captured. Caldwell's actions resulted in him being awarded a Silver Star.

About 2 1/2 months later, Caldwell was serving on a reconnaissance mission with a company of Vietnamese Rangers when they were suddenly engaged by an enemy force using small arms, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.

On 21 January 1970, while serving as S-3 Air Operations Officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in the Republic of Vietnam. On this date, Captain Caldwell was flying in the command and control helicopter for Troop C when they suddenly came in contact with a large enemy force.

In spite of the intense enemy fire, Captain Caldwell ordered his pilot to fly at treetop level so that he could better observe the strength of the enemy forces and guide artillery and airstrikes upon appropriate targets. Throughout the battle, Captain Caldwell directed the placement and advance of the friendly ground units and controlled the fire of artillery blocking the routes of enemy escape.

As Troop B came in to reinforce Troop C, Captain Caldwell flew even lower to assist in guiding Troop B to a successful linkup with the friendly elements. So intense was the hostile fire, that the evacuation helicopters could not land safely. Oblivious to all danger, Captain Caldwell set his own ship down in a small landing spot, picked up the most seriously wounded and flew them back to the hospital. Captain Caldwell then returned to the battle and was instrumental in the defeat of the enemy forces. Captain Caldwell's actions resulted in being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Aside from the two Silver Stars and the Distinguished Flying Cross, Caldwell was awarded a Bronze Star, and three ARCOMstwo of which were awarded for Valor.

Caldwell noted he’d been to The Wall to see the names of those he’d served with and spoke of eight men lost, so they won’t be forgotten.

In Memory

Dr. Vivian Monzingo announced during the Freedom Ball that after 80 years, the remains of a 20-year-old Army Air Forces officer killed in Romania have been identified and will be interred in Old Saltillo Cemetery this summer.

Second Lieutenant David Murrel Lewis, U.S. Army Air Forces, served with the 345th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 98th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 9th Air Force, during World War II. On 1 Aug.1943, Second Lieutenant Lewis was killed while participating in Operation TIDAL WAVE, a bombing raid against the oil refineries around Ploiesti, Romania. His remains were not identified following the war.

In 2017, the DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) began exhuming unknowns believed to be associated with unaccounted-for airmen from Operation TIDAL WAVE losses. The remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska for examination and identification.

After conducting historical research, on May 11, 2022, the DPAA Europe- Mediterranean Regional Directorate concluded that the available historical evidence supports an association between unknown remains recovered from Operation TIDAL WAVE, and Second Lieutenant David Murrel LEWIS. The laboratory accession CIL 2017-310-I-23 contains bone specimens from X-5123 Neuville and X-5361 Neuville.

DNA testing was performed at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, Dover AFB, DE.

Lewis was accounted for last May, but his family didn’t receive a full briefing on his identification, which was released in later August 2022.

A visitation for 2nd Lt. Lewis will be conducted from 2 to 7 p.m. July 15, 2023, at West Oaks Funeral Home in Sulphur Springs. His body will lie in state from 9:30 to 11:15 a.m. July 16, with a service from 11:15 to noon at Old Saltillo United Methodist Church. Interment will follow in Old Saltillo Cemetery, 664 County Road 3357 in Saltillo. All are invited to attend, to show respect for 2nd Lt. Lewis’ sacrifice.

Benefits, Programs

This year’s event, held May 20 in the Civic Center, raised funds for a number of causes, and recognized two supporters, named a Veteran of the Year.

Funds from this year’s Freedom Ball have been earmarked to benefit veterans and veterans causes, specifically scholarships for youth who have assisted in veterans programs or otherwise honored veterans; a veteran transport vehicle, maintenance and repairs to Hopkins County Veterans Memorial on the downtown square and veterans causes. Last year $7,000 in scholarships were given out.

Donations made since the program begun have helped to engrave the names of more veterans on the Hopkins County veteran memorial, to replace the kiosk monitor, National Guard monument and memorial bench downtown that were all vandalized; replace recessed lighting; new computer software; installation of the wounded warrior statue near the memorial wall; purchase new flags and ropes; and engraving the names of those killed in action on the end caps on the monument walls.

The Freedom Ball also partners with organizations such as the Honor Flight DFW, which transports veterans to Washington DC to see the memorial monuments to those who served in and paid the ultimate price during World War II, Korea and Vietnam; as well as time to honor the veterans in a special event. Of the roughly 200 who have participated in an Honor Flight DFW, 30 of them have been from the local area. Donations and volunteers who serve as guardians (in many cases young veterans themselves), providing a support role on the trip, help fund it. The next Honor Flight DFW will be June 9-10, according to Judy Heaps, whose father was on the first DFW Honor Flight.

The Freedom Ball this year also is partnering with Pamela Ash, a counselor who along with Kasey Batterton, will be helping provide mental health services for veterans, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy or EMDR therapy, which helps the brain process traumatic memories so that they feel more like other memories. Since May is Mental Health Month, what a perfect time to partner for the effort. Veterans can receive three free session.

Medical services are offered through maketheconnection. net, to help get services to help veterans get diagnosis so they can get help at the Veterans Affairs services.

Also, funds donated and raised, ticket sales, $125 each, allow 200 veterans and their guests to receive two tickets each in appreciation for their service.

In the past, the organization was instrumental in getting the Wall that Heals in Sulphur Springs.

Two awards were presented in appreciation, one to Mike Horne with Latsons for making the programs and printed material and another to Gary Clem for Alliance Bank for the continued support of the veterans in the community.

This year, Kiwanis will also be partnering to help provide 100% of the materials to help update veterans homes that may need assistance such as ramps or things of that nature.