Medal Of Honor Recipient To Speak At Law Enforcement Appreciation Luncheon In Tuscaloosa

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The Britto Foundation is gearing up to host a true war hero as part of an appreciation luncheon for local law enforcement on Wednesday, May 14 at the Tuscaloosa River Market.

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The event will begin at 11:30 a.m., featuring keynote speaker Captain Gary Michael Rose.

Rose is a retired U.S. Army veteran and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service during the Vietnam War.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Donald Trump during a ceremony at the White House on Oct. 23, 2017.

A native of Huntsville, Rose is celebrated for saving the lives of numerous soldiers during his service as a special forces medic. He also served three tours of duty in Thailand, 1969; the Republic of Vietnam, 1970; and Panama, 1971-1973.

Rose is best known for his heroism during a covert mission — Operation Tailwind — in Vietnam in 1970, risking his life repeatedly to save fellow soldiers deep inside enemy territory.

Rose was part of a joint American and indigenous Montagnard force that was inserted 70 kilometers into hostile territory beginning on Sept. 11, 1970. His unit came under constant enemy attack over four days, suffering heavy casualties.

Rose was seriously wounded treating the injured while exposing himself to gunfire and even shielded a wounded Montagnard soldier with his own body before dragging him to safety.

"Your job [as a combat medic] is to maintain the person’s life, to keep them out of shock," he said following his service. "You’ve got to talk to the person. You’ve got to convince them that they’re going to be fine ... even in the chaos of battle."

His bravery was put on further display when he used a stick as a crutch after a rocket-propelled grenade severely injured his foot. Rose reportedly refused treatment for himself and worked through ambushes and bombardments — improvising stretchers, directing panicked troops and continuing to administer lifesaving care through days of relentless combat.

What's more, Rose stood fully exposed to enemy fire at one point to help load wounded soldiers onto a hovering medevac helicopter, which was eventually forced to abort and later crashed.

Rose will be available to speak with attendees in person prior to the ceremony.

The Britto Foundation says the following law enforcement organizations will be attending: the FBI, Tuscaloosa Police Department, Alabama State Troopers, Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles, Tuscaloosa Police Department, Northport Police Department, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office, Coaling Police Department and others.

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