American hero leads Mesa Vet Parade

Veterans Day is right around the corner and to honor our very own, the Valley hosts several parades and celebrations.

East Valley Veterans Parade on Saturday, Nov. 8, might be one you'll want to put on your must-see list.

It's because this year's grand marshal is a former Mesa resident and a true American hero.

"It's a real honor for me to come back to the city I consider my home," retired Col. Bruce Crandall said.

You could say it's actually the Mesa that is honored with his presence. The 81-year-old Vietnam veteran is one of only 79 living Americans to receive the Medal of Honor.

Crandall's medal came to him Nov. 14, 1965, when he was 31 years old. He was a helicopter pilot in the war and led the 1st Cavalry Regiment into the Battle of Ia Drang.

"We started out at six in the morning and all hell broke loose after that," Crandall said.

The U.S. troops on the ground were out-manned and outgunned. So Crandall decided he had to go back in and do his duty.

Disregarding his safety and with a landing zone that was under relentless enemy fire,

Crandall and another pilot flew back 22 more times to bring ammunition to the troops and to evacuate the wounded.

"We medivaced 70 guys that did survive and we kept 450 of them alive with ammo," Crandall said.

If this story sounds familiar it's because it was retold in the movie "We Were Soldiers," and Crandall was portrayed by Greg Kinnear.

"They used our names so we were able to keep it 75 percent accurate. For Hollywood that's an effort," Crandall said.

As Crandall returns for the Veterans Day celebrations around the Valley, he says it's not so much about the battles of the past as it is to salute those who serve now and in the future.

"It's not important that they remember what happened and that honors us," Crandall said.