Some of the gang at a small Black Lion gathering at West Point in 2003. Top left is Lt (now COL, retired) Tom Grady, who was a platoon leader and XO of Alpha Company. Tom led a rescue force out to the ambush site during the Battle of Ong Thanh and took over what was left of Alpha Company. I'm standing next to him. Brigadier General (retired) Jim Shelton, who was Operations officer for 2/28th Infantry in 1967 is on the far right. Jim, who is highly respected by all of us, wrote "The Beast Was Out There", about the Black Lions and the Battle of Ong Thanh. Jim was an outstanding college football player at Delaware. He and Major Don Holleder played against each other and became good friends. My friend and fellow medic Tom Hinger is sitting. Since Tom and I are the only ones not smiling, all I can figure is that somebody must have either told a medic joke or told us that we were paying for breakfast.

Top middle is David Maraniss, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "They Marched Into Sunlight" about the Battle of Ong Thanh and the anti-war protests going on at the University of Wisconsin, Madison during the same time in Oct. 1967. David is a true gentleman who has been a good friend to the Black Lions since he started researching the book. Next to David is Coach Hugh Wyatt. Hugh established the Black Lion Award in honor of Major Holleder, who was killed while trying to rescue wounded soldiers during the battle. Many junior high, high school and college football programs throughout the country (including the US Military Academy) now present the Black Lion Award to the player who best exemplifies teamwork and willingness to sacrifice (not necessarily the best player). At the time, Coach Wyatt was coaching at Madison High School in Portland. As you can see, Madison Football shirts were popular with the group.

You can find out more about the Black Lion Award here http://www.coachwyatt.com/blacklionhomepage.htm