In spite of ongoing coronavirus concerns a small group gathered at LaBelle Veterans Park Sunday, March 29. They came to honor young American men whose commitment, bravery, love of their country and of their adopted brothers allowed them to become better than they otherwise might have been. During the Viet Nam War thousands of young men accepted the bitter challenge of war, struggling through the horrors of the battlefield and beyond. Medal of Honor recipient Nicholas Cutinha lived in LaBelle as a young boy. As a young man, his bravery saved many American lives at the March 2, 1968, ambush at Gia Dinh. Sp4c Cutinha, also known as “Nickie” or “Porky,” was a machine gunner in the US Army’s 4th Battalion 9th Regiment 25th Infantry Division - the “Manchus.”

Dan McKinney, “Porky’s” ammo bearer, was at the unveiling which was cut short by the pandemic currently affecting everyone’s lives. On the day of the ambush, Dan had been in-country less than a week. With few words he remembered his hero, calling him his “John Wayne” and “a heck of a guy” who took new guys like him under his wing.

Dan suffered massive wounds that day, including multiple shrapnel hits and a bullet in the back, but he made it home from a battle that claimed 49 dead and 27 wounded. Only 18 walked away unhurt. It was one of the deadliest battles of the war for the Americans.

Those who survived did so because Nicholas Cutinha provided cover fire for them for six hours, crawling from machine gun to machine gun to protect their withdrawal. He took hit after hit until his own end came.

Dan and several former Manchus visit LaBelle regularly to remember the man who gave them their future that day on the battlefield, to pay their respects at his grave in Fort Denaud Cemetery and to view his Medal of Honor, housed at American Legion Post 130.

Viet Nam vet and former Marine Charlie Davis of LaBelle and Army vet Randy Dorcey of Alva spearheaded the statue project. The City of LaBelle, DAV Chapter 144 and fellow area veterans were all part of the team that has made it all happen. DAV Commander Harlee “Steve Harn” was part of the unveiling.

Although the whole celebration for the Medal of Honor statue was necessarily truncated this year, a larger celebration is planned for March 2, 2021, to mark the occasion more properly.