Memorial Mission
PFC Garfield Langhorn
Memorial Essay Assembly
US Army - Vietnam
Medal of Honor Recipient
Riverhead, NY - 10/13/2023
Mission applies to the following Region(s):
Region 8, Region 9
About the Mission:
PFC Garfield Langhorn is the only Suffolk County resident to be awarded the Medal of Honor due to his heroic action during the Vietnam War. Drafted into the Army in 1968, PFC Langhorn was assigned to the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry of the 1st Aviation Brigade. He deployed to Vietnam in November 1968. On January 15, 1969, PFC Langhorn was serving as a radio operator with Troop C, which was inserted into a landing zone near Plei Djereng, Vietnam. The platoon was on a mission to rescue two U.S. AH-1 Cobra helicopter pilots who had been shot down by enemy fire on a heavily wooded slope.
The platoon suddenly came under attack from North Vietnamese soldiers hiding in camouflaged bunkers. Within minutes, they were surrounded. When an enemy grenade landed in front of Langhorn and several wounded men, his fellow soldiers said he didn't hesitate. Several soldiers reported after the incident that Langhorn said, "someone's got to care!" before throwing himself onto the explosive device and absorbing the blast as it went off, mortally wounding him.
The school runs an essay contest with the students asking them to describe what Pvt. Langhorns' selfless actions mean to them. They receive 300 essays to evaluate, which keeps the memory of PFC Langhorn upfront in the school and town. This is a moving tribute from the children to this true American Hero.
Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/13/2023 at 08:30am
Staging Location:
Pulaski Street Elementary School
300 Pulaski Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Mike Osip
Special Covid-19 Mission Guidelines:
Updated 8 March 2022
Based on the most current COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines: Protect Yourself and Your Family from COVID-19, and CDC Guidelines of 3 March 2022, going forward, the Lead Ride Captain for any mission will be responsible for determining whether PGR members will have to mask up or not. Please ensure that you have a mask with you, should the need arise, and respect the LRC’s decision in these matters.
Special Information:
Please bring your flags as we are always very welcome to this assembly. It is heartening to hear the children read the winning essays.
Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?
no
Submitted by:
Pete Jepson SRC Region 9
rs 10/10; MER
