This is What a Hero Looks Like
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
United States
November 11, 2015 8:48am CST
In 1965, I ran for the Student Council in my high school. I don’t remember the office, but I do remember who won. It was Bill Perkins. It was hard to be disappointed that I lost. I was very happy for Bill. He was such a nice guy.
On October 12, 1967, Bill was serving as a combat photographer in Vietnam. During a massive attack on his company, a grenade landed where Bill was standing with three other Marines. He shouted, “Incoming grenade” and, without hesitation, hurled himself on it.
When I heard what Bill had done, I was angry and sad, but I was not surprised. This was so like him. Corporal William Thomas Perkins Jr. was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty.
I fly my flag this Veterans’ Day for Bill. Whom do you think about when we honor veterans?
16 people like this
16 responses
@LadyDuck (502914)
• Italy
11 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace I hope too and they have to remember their friend all their life.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
11 Nov 15
He was far too young to die. I hope the other three men made it though the war and had wonderful lives.
3 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
11 Nov 15
@jstory07 I had a couple of photos from which to choose. I picked this one because it showed his youth and the smile I remember.
2 people like this
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
12 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace Yes, if he were alive, he could still do more heroic acts but he did the final one and I am certain those he rescued by sacrificing his own self have nothing but gratitude and praises to Bill.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
11 Nov 15
Yes, his family was given a large number of very important medals to honor him. I think we would all rather have Bill.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
12 Nov 15
My father in law served in the South Pacific in WWII and my brother in law was in Vietnam. and I would think of your friend as well, he was a hero/
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
12 Nov 15
Yes, and none of my other friends (as far as I know) went to Vietnam.
@jstory07 (148807)
• Roseburg, Oregon
11 Nov 15
We should treat our veterans nice. In the past we did not. But when my two sons landed at the airport two years ago they were greated by school kids that gave them pictures that they drew from them . My sons felt proud that they were serving their country.
2 people like this
@jstory07 (148807)
• Roseburg, Oregon
11 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace It would be because they would than have jobs.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
11 Nov 15
Now if we could just get the govt to treat them the way they should be treated. The paperwork backlog should be zero. If the govt was really serious about helping vets, put some of them to work helping to handle the paperwork. It would be a win-win situation.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
11 Nov 15
@jstory07 Exactly, and the veterans who need services would get them sooner.
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
11 Nov 15
I am sure you are correct. Bill would have done this type of thing without that association however. He was such a good guy, even in high school.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (54744)
• United States
11 Nov 15
Bill certainly is a hero. My daddy is who I always think of as a hero. He served in Vietnam also and was in the Air force for thirty years.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
11 Nov 15
I love that you refer to him as your Daddy.
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
•
14 Nov 15
what a sad, but beautiful tribute. Sounds like a wonderful person.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
1 Oct 16
I know that I read this when you wrote it and was sure I left a comment. But I cam looking for it because the Traveling Wall will be in Eugene and I will be visiting it. I will look for Bill Perkins' name for certain.
@DeborahDiane (40853)
• Laguna Woods, California
12 Nov 15
There have many men in my family who served in the military, and I always think of them when I fly my flag!
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
12 Nov 15
I happened to take students to Normandy on the 40th anniversary of the D-Day invasions. It was very real to them then.
1 person likes this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
11 Nov 15
My father taught hand to hand combat in WWII, but my grandfather did not serve in WWI. My father always said that he was born so that his father did not have to go to war. It made him feel awful. Even if that was the case, my grandfather should have kept this to himself.
