Soldier steps up to help wounded comrades

David Bleak was born in Idaho and was an Army soldier in the Korean War.

He had dropped out of high school, joined the Army and became a combat medic. During a mission into Chinese territory, Bleak's patrol came under heavy attack from a fortified Chinese position. He was shot, but not seriously and numerous of the others in the patrol were also shot and wounded.

He couldn't attend to his own wounded patrol personnel as they were under fire, so he figured the enemy position had to be taken out before he could attend to his wounded. So despite being wounded, he rushed the Chinese position several times, killing five of them — four by using his bare hands. 

Bleak then attended to his wounded comrades and shielded another from a grenade blast. He was credited with saving the entire patrol's wounded despite being wounded himself. 

For his brave actions, Bleak was awarded the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest award for bravery. He was an Idaho hero.

I ask all readers if you or I could have attacked an enemy position directly. Many would say not; but in these cases, adrenalin takes over, and then, heroic things happen.

Roger Gregory is a Vietnam veteran and business owner in Priest River. He served in the 1st Infantry Division.