My Brother's Purple Heart

[ASAdog]

November 27, 1968, not far from the city of Tay Ninh, South Viet Nam, my brother was shot down twice on that same date while flying in Hueys. He recieved burns to over 40% of his body, but survived, recovered, and returned to fly again over the skies of Viet Nam for the 187th AHC as a gunner.

He was a door gunner for the 187th Assault Helecopter Comapany (Rat Pack) at that time. Though trained in the Signal Corps as a switch board installer, he apperantly yearned for action and volunteered to be door gunner

The link below is the story as written by my brothers pilot of that fateful event, Tom Pienta. He misidentifies my brother in the story as "PFC Hoppe", whereas my brothers name is Steve Toppi - easy to forgive Tom's mistake, since it was a hellish day a long time ago. The 187th AHC web site has Steve correctly identified.

www.187thahc.net/Stories/Trialbyfirestory.htm

I've recently learned that not only did Tom Pienta survive, but so did the pilot of the second downed helicopter. I'm hoping to track down Tom (last known to be in Largo, FL) and let him know that his door gunner survived and is doing OK now.

[rkanjl]

Wow, amazing story!  A big time  and Thank You to your brother for his service to his country.

 
   rkanjl

[daddog]

Took a while to read it, but a great story. Thanks for sharing ASA!

[ASAdog]

Thanks, both of you.

Just to note, my brother also earned an Air Medal for "bravery in arial combat" while with the 187th AHC, but I know nothing of the particulars.

He came back from Viet Nam (after three tours) a mess - alcoholic, abusive, four failed marriages, lost jobs, lost a lot of time with his kids, etc.. In the last fifteen years, he has cleaned up his act, stopped drinking cold turkey, a good honest hard worker, and has been married to the same woman for trwenty years, and now is a part of his kids lives. Now sober he's an extremely nice guy to know; drunk as he often was those many years ago even I could barely stand to be around him. He's had two very tough ordeals to overcome - Viet Nam and his addiction/abusive behavour- and has overcome both well.

I love my brother and I am very proud of him.

At your service,