Samuel K Solomon, Jr

Samuel K. Solomon was a thrice-decorated combat veteran of Korea and Vietnam. He is the recipient of two Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts as well as many other medals.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry (the "Wolfhounds"), 25th Infantry Division, based at Schofield Barracks, Wahiawa, Hawaii, and deployed with the battalion to Vietnam in January 1966.

I know of this man for several reasons. One is that he served with my father indirectly and I bear his name, Samuel Solomon Preisler, as a tribute to 1stSgt Solomon. I have always had the greatest love for this man of whom I know not, yet it warms my heart to know that he was serving his country and laid upon the altar of freedom the most costly sacrifice of all - his life.

His actions were as follows: Under intense machinegun fire he charged time after time into enemy cross-fire to carry severely wounded men to safety. As he was carrying out the last of his men he was mortally wounded. Brigadier General Tarpely said "That man saved a whole unit down there ... there were 44 men pinned in the position under interlocking gun fire."

I often think that the Lord protects those who are in need of his care and to those of us who need his care he sends somone like 1stSgt Samuel K. Solomon.

From his namesake,
Samuel Solomon Preisler
idaho_preislers@msn.com