Here is another example of writing to a Medal of Honor Recipeint requesting an autograph and getting back more than I sent. A few years ago a used the Congressional Medal Of Honor Society 40 Patriots Point Road Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 address to mail out my request. In about a week I had back all I sent him ( a copy of his citation, and the 8x10 poster I created for him) along with extra copies of his citation, and an autographed photo of himself in Vietnam. It ALWAYS amazes me when I send two items for them to sign, and get back an envalope stuffed with items in return.

Bottom line; by sending a them a GENUINE letter you put more that 5 minutes into, telling them why their autograph has value to you will earn you their respect. Thinking these guys do not know about Ebay, and the tons of people who try and make money off their signatures would be a mistake---so again take the time and do some research but most importantly add abit of YOU in the letter and see the results you get.

Medal of Honor Recipents are a very tight knit group and being known with in their society as someone who honors and respects where these guys have been and what they still do for this country, will get you far.

If you do not have anything to send them visit my friends website----- by far the BEST on the internet www.homeofheroes.com here you can print copies of the photos and citations and learn something you can put in to your letter. Until next time, Happy collecting !!!

Here is his story along with a few of his autographs:

James Fleming (born March 12, 1943) is a United States Air Force pilot whoserved in the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for rescuing a 6-man Green Beret unit, stranded between heavily-defended enemy positions, near Duc Co, Vietnam. He entered military service at Pullman, Wash. In 1968, and was an aircraft commander of a UH-1F transport helicopter assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron On November 26, a six-man reconnaissance team of Army Special Forces Green Berets had been lifted into Vietnam's western highlands, near the Cambodian border and about 30 miles west of Pleiku. Hours later, they found themselves penned up next to a river, with enemy forces on the three remaining sides. The team leader called for immediate evacuation. The call was received by an Air Force forward air controller, as well as a flight of five UH-1s near the area.

Fleming flew one of the transports. All five, despite being low on fuel, headed toward the coordinates while being briefed on the situation, as they flew.

The Green Berets were taking heavy fire from six heavy machine guns and an undetermined number of enemy troops. There was a clearing in the jungle about 100 yards away from them and a smaller one only 25 yards away. The furthest one was too far away for them to get to through enemy fire. As soon as the helicopters sighted the team's smoke, the gunships opened fire, knocking out two machine gun positions. One gunship was hit and crash-landed across the river, its crew picked up by one of the transports. A second transport, low on fuel, had to pull out of formation and return to base. There were only two helicopters left, Fleming's transport and one gunship that was almost out of ammunition.

Hovering just above the treetops, Fleming checked out the smaller clearing and found it impossible to land there. Looking over the battle scene, Fleming had an idea. If he hovered just above the river with his landing skids against the bank, a balancing act that required great piloting skill, especially in the middle of a firefight, the special forces troops might be able to run the few yards to his helicopter safely. But the biggest miracle of all would be keeping his transport from being hit by ground fire. Suspended motionless against the river bank, his boom hanging out above open water, he waited for the Green Berets. Long minutes later, the reconnaissance team radioed that they couldn't survive a dash to the helicopter. Fleming rose and hastily backed his chopper over the water and flew out of range through a hail of bullets. Fleming wasn't through yet, though. The FAC directed the Green Berets to detonate their mines as Fleming made another last, desperate attempt to rescue them. As the mines exploded, Fleming again lowered his helicopter to the river bank, balancing against it, giving the Green Berets an open cargo door through which to leap to safety. But the enemy, knowing exactly what he was doing this time, concentrated their fire on the UH-1. The Green Berets ran for the chopper, firing as they ran and killing three Viet Cong barely 10 feet from the helicopter. As they leaped through the cargo door, Fleming once more backed the helicopter away from the bank and flew down the river to safety.

(Taken from U.S. Air Force Biography)

Fleming's official Medal of Honor citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Fleming (then 1st Lt.) distinguished himself as the Aircraft Commander of a UH-1F transport Helicopter. Capt. Fleming went to the aid of a 6-man special forces long range reconnaissance patrol that was in danger of being overrun by a large, heavily armed hostile force. Despite the knowledge that 1 helicopter had been downed by intense hostile fire, Capt. Fleming descended, and balanced his helicopter on a river bank with the tail boom hanging over open water. The patrol could not penetrate to the landing site and he was forced to withdraw. Dangerously low on fuel, Capt. Fleming repeated his original landing maneuver. Disregarding his own safety, he remained in this exposed position. Hostile fire crashed through his windscreen as the patrol boarded his helicopter. Capt. Fleming made a successful takeoff through a barrage of hostile fire and recovered safely at a forward base. Capt. Fleming's profound concern for his fellowmen, and at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country