Subject: Re: Finding a medic From: Doc Trout, Aco 1/501st & Hawkeye Team To: Joyce(Hadley) Proffer E-mail: chem1919@valornet.com Priority: Not Really Message: I am not the medic who left the message at the wall in Illinois. However, I am the medic who was with Sgt Hadley as he died, and the medic who contacted you was in assistance, or maybe I was assisting him. There was a lot of confusion as we were fighting from a trench. I saw Gary get hit while he was attacking an enemy position during the action. He and Sgt Floyd and a couple of the others were assaulting dug in automatic weapons positions that had us pinned. Gary was my friend. I went to help give aid. Sgt Floyd was KIA, but Gary was still alive. Under fire, we moved him into a Budhist pagoda a few yards away, for protection and to try and stop the bleeding. He was struck through the upper chest with a machine gun round that went clear through. It partially severed his sub-clavian artery and I was not able to replace the blood loss or get the artery clamped in time to save his life. He died of shock in my arms that hot day while the battle still raged around us. I wish now I would have gone ahead and severed the artery completely as it would have retracted and also may have saved his life. I always felt that if I had only been able to get that damned clamp in place he may have survived. I have wept for him all these years in secret. He was brave and among the most valiant men I ever had the privlege of serving with. I carry his loss in my heart as a personal tragedy that I have kicked myself with over and over ever since that day. They did not teach us how to clamp or sever a main artery to control major bleeding in our medical training, it was something learned in the field under duress. I apologize to the family for that. He used to show photos of some of you and talk about home. He and Sgt Floyd, also KIA the same day, were the leaders of our Recon team. After their loss and a couple others wounded we were disbanded. Sgt Hadley`s last words were asking how bad he was hit and a prayer to God to help his Spirit. I saw your letter and debated whether to contact you. However, If I can be of any service, please let me know. Gary was one of A company`s finest soldiers.
Sincerely, Jesse David Trout chem1919@valornet.com 870-773-6224 3728 Union Rd Texarkana, AR 71854 A Co, 1/501st ABN, attached combat medic Hawkeye Element (recon) & Headquarters Detachment
