A GALLANT HERO

SP5 Morris A. Lambert, center, was recently honored for his service during the Vietnam War and awarded three Army medals. Several of Lambert's family members accompanied him as he received his awards including, LeaAnn Lambert, daughter-in-law; Ian Lambert, grandson; Adam Lambert, son; Ryley Styre, grandson; Pam Lambert, wife; Madison Lambert, granddaughter; Heather Styre, daughter; Morgan Styre, granddaughter; and Ron Styre, son-in-law. Staff photo by George Anderson

Specialist Fifth-Class Morris A. Lambert, who served with the 92nd Assault Helicopter Company in the II Corps Region of the Republic of Vietnam, was honored at a special awards ceremony at the local Veteran's of Foreign Wars Post on Tuesday night.

Joining Lambert at his ceremony were several members of his family including his wife, Pam; his son Adam, with his wife LeaAnn, and their children Madison and Ian; and his daughter Heather Styre, with her husband Ron, and their children, Ryley and Morgan.

Also attending to honor Lambert were several community members and veterans.

Following and introduction by SGM Phillip Greenway of the 1137th Military Police Company and a story about Lambert's service by Morgan, Lambert's son, Adam, and daughter, Heather, pinned the three medals on Lambert.

The three medals received, the Army's "Good Conduct Medal," the "Vietnam Service Ribbon with 4 bronze stars," and the "Air Medal with 32 additional awards" were awarded for his 825 hours of combat time.

When asked how it felt to receive the medals, Lambert said, "I felt honored and proud. The best thing about it was that my kids got to pin [the medals] on me. It made it worth waiting 39 years."

During his time at war, Lambert, who was born and raised in Cardwell, Mo., served at bases at Ban Me Thuat, Dong Be Thin, Cam Rahn Bay, Pleiku, and Fire Base 6. Although unbeknownst to them at the time, Lambert and Morgan served at the same places at the same time. A discovery that was made when Lambert and Morgan became friends a few years ago.

The 92nd Assault Helicopter Company was made up of Slicks, or UH-1 lift helicopters used to transport troops, called the Stallions, and gun ships called the Sidekicks.

Lambert served as the crew chief on the UH-1 Huey Slick helicopter. Hueys were made up of four man crews; two pilots, a crew chief, and a door gunner. As a crew chief, Lambert kept the aircrafts ready for the next day and also performed duties as a door gunner on combat assault missions.

Crew chiefs and door gunners were basically sitting ducks every time they went out, as they sat in the open door of the helicopter in plain view to those on the ground, with only one M60 machine gun for protection.

"[They] were the prime target of the enemy," Morgan said. "These guys were literally 'hanging it out there'."

According to Morgan, 2,717 non-pilot crew members were killed in the Vietnam War.

"This compares to the 2,197 pilots killed," Morgan added. "Countless number of 11B's (Infantry) owe their life to men like Morris who were hanging out the door of their ride into and out of Hot LZ's (landing zones where enemy fire was being received) with a M60 machine gun, keeping down the heads of the enemy."

Lambert, who currently serves as an investigator for the Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, also served on the Missouri State Highway Patrol from January 1975 to July 2001.