As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, it’s fitting to remember those who secured our freedom at great personal cost. One such hometown hero is Edgar Lee McWethy Jr., a Leadville native whose bravery in Vietnam earned him the Medal of Honor—and ultimately his life. Last month, military personnel and McWethy’s family gathered at the Joint Base San Antonio–Fort Sam Houston medical clinic—now named in his honor—to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his sacrifice.
A Medic’s Courage Under Fire
On June 21, 1967, Specialist Five McWethy was serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, when his helicopter downed in hostile territory. As enemy forces launched a fierce three-sided assault, McWethy repeatedly exposed himself to intense gunfire and grenades to treat wounded comrades.
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First, he dashed across open ground to save his platoon leader, stabilizing him so command could be maintained.
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Hearing another call for aid, he advanced despite a head wound, continued after being shot in the leg, and administered first aid.
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Spotting a rifleman lying helpless in the clearing, McWethy pressed on through his injuries—sustaining two more wounds—until he reached the fallen soldier and performed life-saving measures.
Though mortally wounded in his final effort, McWethy’s fearless devotion to duty inspired his unit to hold their position and repel the enemy.
Remembering “Doc” McWethy
At the June 23 ceremony, Spc. McWethy’s former platoon mate John Olcott recalled his friend’s gentle nature and unwavering dedication. “We always called him ‘Doc’—he looked more like a professor than a soldier,” Olcott said, describing McWethy’s plan to learn Vietnamese and return home to serve in the Peace Corps. Instead, he gave his life healing others on the battlefield.
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson of Brooke Army Medical Center joined McWethy’s sister, Christy McWethy-Case, and brother-in-law Jim Case to unveil a memorial plaque at the McWethy Troop Medical Clinic. The clinic stands as a living tribute to “Doc” McWethy’s selflessness and heroism.
A Leadville Tribute
Closer to home, members of Leadville’s Elks Lodge laid a wreath at the Lake County Veterans Memorial stone honoring McWethy—a gift from his Lake County High School classmates. “When you enter this clinic, remember the man, not just the name on a wall,” urged Olcott. “You stand under the watch of the finest medic the Army has ever known.”
This Fourth of July, as fireworks light the sky, let us pause to honor Edgar Lee McWethy Jr.—Leadville’s own hero whose ultimate sacrifice reminds us that freedom truly isn’t free.
