By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Vietnam War veteran Pat Martin of rural Hays was just 19 years old on May 24, 1970, when he was shot in the back during what's become known as one of the war's most historic and decorated helicopter rescue missions, "The Battle of Medevac Meadows."
He's writing a book about his experience as an air ambulance Medevac crew chief with the 1st Cavalry Division on the flight that was downed under enemy fire during a rescue mission in southeast Cambodia.
"We took a mission to try to evacuate several South Vietnamese airborne brigade soldiers who were trying to locate an enemy bunker complex in the Fishhook region of Cambodia," Martin said in a Hays Post interview.
Their helicopter was shot out of the air and crashed heavily on its right side, killing the door gunner.
Martin started laying gunfire into the tree line and was shot.
"It was dark when I woke up. ... One of the most horrific events in my whole life. Me and God became very friendly right there," he said.
"We ended spending up almost two days on the ground trying to get us evacuated out of there," Martin said.
"When the smoke cleared, there was one Medal of Honor awarded, seven or eight Silver Stars, a few Distinguished Flying Crosses, air medals, and so forth."
Martin was awarded the Purple Heart for that day he was shot 54 years ago.
The Purple Heart is the oldest military award in the United States, established by General George Washington in 1782 to recognize heroic acts by his troops during the American Revolution.
Today, the Purple Heart is awarded to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
The 73-year-old Martin is now commander of Hays' Disabled American Veterans Post #18.
He found out last month he is the "last man standing"—the last person alive—from that mission's crew of six that was shot down.
"That kind of shook me up a little bit, and I decided it was time to write my memoirs of what went on," Martin said.
Martin hopes to sell copies of his book "May Flowers" when it's finished and donate the proceeds to local veterans and their families.
People wanting to reserve a copy may text their request to him at 785-639-9930.
Martin presided over a public ceremony Wednesday afternoon in Veterans Memorial Park, 15th and Haney, designating Hays a Purple Heart City.
The event included a ribbon cutting by The Chamber in Hays and a mayoral proclamation read by Sandy Jacobs, vice-mayor.
"We appreciate the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients have made in defending our freedom and believe it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the support they have earned," Jacobs read from the proclamation signed by Mayor Shaun Musil.
"As a veteran, it makes us proud that our community would get behind a designation such as this," DAV Post #18 Chaplain Mike Chappell told Hays Post.
"There are so many more who are injured in these conflicts than were killed. ... They often go unrecognized, walking around and people don't even know it. When they come into town, they'll know it's for them. People may not know them by name but the community affords them respect," Chappell said.
Several Purple Heart recipients were in the crowd at the designation ceremony along with many more military veterans.
The Purple Heart City designation was sought by the six veterans service organizations in Hays — VFW, American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Marine Corps, Disabled American Veterans, and Society of 40 Men and 8 Horses.
Official Purple Heart City signs will soon be placed by the city at six locations marking main entrances into Hays.
The coalition of local veterans organizations is paying for the cost of the signs and upkeep.
Research by Martin shows 48 Ellis County residents have been killed in action since World War I.
The tally includes Hays natives Bryan Nichols and Dave Carter, who died 13 years ago on August 6, 2011, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.