On the evening of May 18, 2017, when I was just a legislative staffer for State Rep. Ken Skowronski, himself a veteran of the 128th Air Refueling Wing, we joined veterans, civic leaders, and families gathered at the 37th Annual Civic Dinner Dance at General Mitchell Air National Guard Base in Milwaukee. The event, focused on honoring heritage, recognized an extraordinary Wisconsin hero.
The man at the center of the evening was Gary Wetzel of South Milwaukee, a U.S. Army door gunner who received the Medal of Honor during the Tet Offensive for saving multiple lives while critically wounded. His actions demonstrated exceptional courage and determination.
January 8, 1968, near Ap Dong An in southern Vietnam. Wetzel, then a Private First Class serving with the 173rd Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Brigade, was aboard a UH-1 Huey on an insertion mission. The aircraft came under intense enemy fire almost immediately upon landing in the hot landing zone. Rockets struck the helicopter. Wetzel was moving to help his wounded aircraft commander when two more rockets exploded inches away, throwing him into a rice paddy.
The blast shattered his left arm, which would later require amputation, and inflicted severe wounds to his right arm, chest, and left leg. He was bleeding heavily and would lose consciousness multiple times from blood loss. Yet Wetzel did not stop. He engaged and killed an enemy soldier attempting to throw a grenade at the downed crew. He then took control of the helicopter’s M60 machine gun — the only weapon still effectively firing back — and singlehandedly used it to destroy an enemy automatic weapons emplacement that had been pinning down American forces and causing heavy casualties.
Despite his injuries and repeated blackouts, Wetzel dragged his wounded aircraft commander and other soldiers to cover behind a dike and continued to assist his comrades. The crew held their position under fire before extraction was possible. Though the aircraft commander did not survive, Wetzel’s actions saved numerous American lives.
President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded Wetzel the Medal of Honor on November 19, 1968, at the White House. Wetzel also received the Purple Heart and Air Medal and was promoted to Specialist Fourth Class. After six months in military hospitals, he was discharged in June 1968.
Wetzel returned to Wisconsin, married his fiancée Kathy, and raised a family. He worked as a welder and later in other roles, while dedicating significant time to supporting fellow veterans. He founded Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans Chapter 1 in 1984 and established the Milwaukee Homeless Veterans Stand Down to assist those reintegrating into civilian life. He also participated in Rolling Thunder motorcycle rides to Washington, D.C., and regularly spoke to students about military service and patriotism.
In 2015, Wetzel was named Milwaukee County Veteran of the Year and became the first recipient of the Milwaukee County Purple Heart Pass. In 2016, the Gary G. Wetzel Way nature trail at Camp American Legion was named in his honor. After a serious motorcycle accident that year, the Gary Sinise Foundation renovated his South Milwaukee home to support his recovery. On May 18, 2017, South Milwaukee formally recognized his lifetime of service by declaring it Gary Wetzel Day.
American strength relies on individuals who answer the call, persevere through adversity, and continue serving their communities after their military service. Wetzel earned his recognition by refusing to give up despite overwhelming challenges. Wisconsin is fortunate to have him.
