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Bill Morey and Gerald Bright reuniting after 58 years.
Episode 3076 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the reunion of two Vietnam Vets after a 58 year lapse. The featured story comes from a show on News ABC 12 of New Bern, NC that was titled: Vietnam veterans reunite after 58 years, recalling the daring rescue that defied orders. The story was submitted by Alaina Laster.
Gerald Bright’s hands trembled as he embraced the man who had saved his life fifty-eight years ago. “I made a promise, to the man upstairs. If he got me out, got me through this, I’d try to be a better person,” Bright whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
Captain Bill Morey stood before him in Jacksonville, the years having silvered their hair but not dimmed the intensity of that June night in 1967. The date was June 19th, 1967. And both men say they didn’t really get to meet that night due to Bright’s extensive injury, he spent much of that time unconscious.
That fateful evening, Morey had piloted his gunship into danger against direct orders. It was against the rules for a gunship to do med-evacs due to their heavy weight. But when the call came for six badly wounded soldiers, Morey made a split-second decision that would define two lives forever. He dropped the excess weight from his aircraft and flew the rescue mission anyway.
Now, surrounded by family and friends, the two veterans finally had their proper introduction. Bright looked at Morey with reverence. “This man right here… he’s next to God,” he said, his voice breaking.
Morey, ever humble, insisted his actions were simply what any soldier would do. He had been reprimanded for disobeying orders, though the punishment was later reversed with a valor commendation. But for Bright, it was divine intervention manifest through human courage—a promise kept by both God and a brave pilot who refused to leave fellow soldiers behind.
Listen to Episode 3076 and discover more about the reunion of two Vietnam Vets after a 58 year lapse.
