Harry Rumzek

On the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918, World War I came to an end when Germany signed an armistice agreement with Allied forces. The next year the day would become known as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of WWI and honoring those who served our country. In 1954, President Eisenhower, a veteran himself, signed a bill that was passed in Congress officially changing Armistice Day to Veterans’ Day in honor of American veterans from all wars.

“Between 1954 and 1975, around 2.7 million Americans served in the Vietnam War,” shared Derek Moore, Director of Collections / Curator at the National Corvette Museum. “Approximately 600,000 of those Vietnam War veterans are still alive today. Dr. Harry and Anne Rumzek approached us to donate their 1970 Monza Red Corvette in honor of Vietnam Veterans.”

From 1959 to 1979 Major Harold Rumzek served in the United States Air Force. During his career he was assigned to B-52 bombers, including bombing missions in Vietnam. A highly decorated combat veteran, Harry’s career saw 158 combat missions, including being assigned to the crew on the world’s first supersonic Mach 2 Bomber. The list of Harry’s accomplishments in the Air Force go on, but it was his wish to recognize others with his donation.

“In May of 1970 the B-58 Hustler was phased out and my assignment for the SR-71 was cancelled just before I bought the car. There’s over 50 years of memories with this car – I bought it brand new,” shared Harry. “My first adventure, I went across Nevada, 399 miles in four hours from Wendover to Reno. There was no speed limit back then in Reno but I went through 10 towns there the speed limit through town was 25 mph, so I had to make sure I went from 125 back down to 25! While in Nevada Elvis was going to premier in Las Vegas – so I made a right turn and I watched him.”

Harry Rumzek’s 1970 Corvette being donated on November 11, 2020 at 11am.

Harry’s spirited drive through Nevada to California wouldn’t be the only time he tested the car’s speed. He’s taken laps at Texas Motor Speedway, has drag raced, and participated in autocross over the years (including in his 1980 Corvette). Harry’s 1970 Stingray participated in the Motorama II to celebrate General Motors’ 100^th Anniversary. He’s in the Museum’s Duntov and Spire Societies, a member of CowTown Vettes where he served as Texas Motor Speedway Coordinator and a Pit Security Worker for 13 years, a National Council of Corvette Clubs Life Member and was a charter member of the Wichita County Corvette Association where he served as NCCC Governor and Vice President. He currently also owns a 2012 Crystal Red Metallic Corvette Convertible.

Harry has about 54 years of schooling under his belt including 26 schools in the Air Force, a bachelor’s in education, master’s in communication, master’s in clinical psychology and a PhD in Behavioral Medicine. His military ratings include USAF Navigator, Senior Navigator and Master Navigator ratings for 3,200+ in-flight hours and over seven years flight experience; the USAF Combat Crew Member Badge; Air Training Command Master Instructor Badge with 3,000+ classroom hours as Navigator/Bombardier, Flight Instructor, and Flight Commander; and the Mach 2 Pin for supersonic flight in the B-58A aircraft. Major Rumzek was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross; Meritorious Service Medal; seven Air Medals; three Air Force Commendation Medals; six Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with ‘V’ for Valor; Organizational Excellence Award; Combat Readiness Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with five campaign stars; two Humanitarian Service Medals; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry Unit Award with Palm Device; Republic of Vietnam Service Medal; five Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbons; and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

Harry Rumzek hands off the keys to his 1970 Corvette to Dr. Sean Preston, President & CEO of the National Corvette Museum.

“November is Military Appreciation Month at the Museum, and the month in which we celebrate our veterans with our annual Vets ‘n Vettes event,” shared Dr. Sean Preston, President and CEO of the Museum. “We were delighted that Harry chose such a significant day to donated his car, and how he’s dedicated it to his brothers and sisters in arms.”

“It’s an honor having my car here,” shared Harry. “I lost over 100 friends in the military – 55-60 in Vietnam. I’d rather have it here at the Museum honoring these guys.”

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Thursday, November 7, 2019 the Museum and NCM Motorsports Park are hosting a special recognition day for veterans and wounded warriors as part of the 11th Annual Vets ‘n Vettes event presented by Mobil 1. Veterans are invited to come to the NCM Motorsports Park at 505 Kimberlee A. Fast Drive (just off Porter Pike) for complimentary rides around the track in Corvettes, offered from 10am – 3pm CT.

Amidst the Corvette laps, a Veterans luncheon, presented by Don Franklin Chevrolet of Somerset, KY, will be available in the track’s garages from 11:30am – 1pm.  The lunch is free to veterans and their spouse or guest. All luncheon guests are asked to RSVP by calling Bryce Burklow at 270-777-4506.

The NCM Kartplex will be open all day for $20/session and those who have served received a $2 discount with ID.

The Museum is located at I-65, exit 28 in Bowling Green, KY and is open daily, 8am-5pm Central Time.

*Immediate family is spouse and children living at home under the age of 18.

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November is Military Appreciation Month at the National Corvette Museum and in celebration and recognition of our armed forces, the Museum offers FREE admission to all American military veterans, as well as police and fire fighters, plus their immediate accompanying family during the month of November. Simply show proof of service at the admissions counter to receive complimentary admission.

Thursday, November 8, 2018 the Museum and NCM Motorsports Park are hosting a special recognition day for veterans and wounded warriors as part of the 10^th Annual Vets ‘n Vettes event presented by Mobil 1. Veterans are invited to come to the NCM Motorsports Park at 505 Grimes Road (just off Porter Pike) for complimentary rides around the track in Corvettes, offered from 9am – 3pm CT.

Amidst the Corvette laps, a Veterans luncheon will be available in the track’s garages from 11:30am – 1pm.  The lunch is free to veterans and their spouse or guest. All luncheon guests are asked to RSVP by Friday, November 2 by calling Bryce Burklow at 270-777-4506.

The NCM Kartplex will be open all day for $20/session and those who have served received a $2 discount with ID.

The Museum is located at I-65, exit 28 in Bowling Green, KY and is open daily, 8am-5pm Central Time.

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Wendell Strode, Museum Executive Director, addresses the Veterans attending the Museum’s annual Vets ‘n Vettes event.

Wendell Strode, Museum Executive Director

Normally, when I go into Museum Executive Director Wendell Strode’s office, it’s just to find out how he’s doing or to get a quote from him for an article I’m working on. Today was different though. The familiar grin was still there as he invited me to close the door and sit down, but it was a fragile smile that seemed difficult for him to maintain. What we were about to talk about would be difficult. He was getting ready to take me through some of his memories of Vietnam.

Several weeks earlier, I had shared with him about a friend who had PTSD. He told me a little about his own experience with it, and how it hit him later in life.  When I suggested that an article about it might do someone some good, he agreed without hesitation. What I didn’t know then was what I was really asking him to do.

After I turned on the recorder, he looked down, and would rarely make eye contact with me again until he had finished his story. His smile was gone as his mind took him back to Vietnam.

A shirtless Wendell in February 1969 with his Delta Company brothers. His best friend Jason Wright is on the far right.

He remembers his first day in the field, and how he was transported to his infantry platoon company via helicopter with a man who would become his best friend in Vietnam, Jason Wright.

When they touched down, Wendell got his first look at the horrors of war. A mortar round had landed amidst twenty soldiers not long before he arrived. Four were dead and many more were injured. Wendell remembers vividly how the wounded were loaded for evacuation. The Lieutenant refused to get on until the last man was on board. He died waiting.

Another man, a Native American named Two-Crow, sat up from his gurney as the chopper took off. He gave a “peace” sign. He would end up dying en route.

Wendell would be assigned to the Lieutenant’s foxhole as it was now vacant. He could smell and see the evidence of what had happened all around him, and wouldn’t sleep that night.

Sgt. “Skeeter” Lasa was Platoon Sergeant over the 3rd platoon. Wendell credits his survival to that man and his almost clairvoyant ability to anticipate enemy position. “I have no doubt in my mind that more people made it home because of Sgt. Lasa, than would have without him.”

Wendell recalls how they got shot at every day, and how it wasn’t long before he could tell where the bullets were going by the sound they made—whether they hit a tree, or the ground, or a person. Soldiers would begin to call for a medic before they could even see who was hit by that sound alone.

When word got around that Wendell had graduated from broadcasting school, he was given the job of radio/telephone operator. Along with the extra weight of that equipment, he also carried the responsibility of communicating with the other units. He recalls a time when they were in a heavy firefight, nearly out of ammunition, and he had to call in for support. He passed along the coordinates given to him, knowing that his platoon was close enough that they could suffer casualties as well. “I’ve been told that more men were saved than lost because of that call, but I still think about it often.”

At this point, Wendell pauses the story. I can’t tell if he is stopping to honor those who died, or if he is just trying to push beyond the memory.

He goes on to describe water coming from a mountain stream that was the cleanest most refreshing water he’d ever had, but also remembers having to drink water from the rice patties that was black and filled with leaches. He brings up the villages that had to be burned when they found enemy cache’s hidden in them, and the battles along the way. He recalls in vivid detail engaging the enemy himself and tells me that those memories always play back in slow motion.

On March 8th 1969, the platoons were split up to investigate movement in a particular area. While on route, Wendell received a call on the radio indicating that the other platoon had walked into an ambush and had already suffered fatalities and many more were wounded. The 3rd platoon responded, shedding their backpacks, setting out to give support.

The North Vietnamese had built a sophisticated tunnel system throughout this area, and along the way Wendell saw what looked like an entrance to one. As he approached it, he saw movement. At that moment, a signal was given by the enemy and a full regiment of NVA soldiers, probably 300 men, opened fire on the platoon. “They were close enough to throw grenades,” Wendell says. “We were greatly outnumbered.”

The Lieutenant in charge was killed in that first round of gunfire, so no one was giving direction. Another radio/telephone operator was wounded early in the fight, probably  to cripple communications.

Wendell was targeted as well. He doesn’t remember getting shot. He only realized it when he tried to return fire and his arm wouldn’t work. He reached up and felt his shoulder, wet with blood.

He found what barely passed as cover with another soldier who was returning fire. With his good arm, he got on the radio to communicate with the gunships. Their plan was to spray the area with mini-guns from one helicopter, followed by another round from another, and then use rockets once they identified any strongholds. When the assault began the platoons were ordered to retreat. The plan was passed along the line as bullets and grenades continued to fly.

When the first gunship came in, Wendell turned to fall back with the others but fell flat to the ground instead. He had caught shrapnel from a grenade in his left leg. Unable to get out of the way in time he watched as the chopper came towards him shooting 6,000 rounds a minute. The spray of bullets came within 10 inches of hitting him.

“A guy by the name of Timmerman came back to get me. He was smaller than I was, yet he helped me until he couldn’t go any further.”

Wendell found the strength to keep going from there, and managed to make his way to an armored personnel carrier. From there he was transferred to the medevac chopper that would take him back to base.

Wendell greets a Veteran at a Wounded Warriors banquet sponsored by Mobil 1.

He spent 2 ½ months healing in a hospital in Japan. This gave him some time to begin processing what had happened. Because he could type, they gave him a job in South Korea, working as the clerk typist. This gave him another 7 months to transition mentally from being a Vietnam War Infantryman to a regular soldier. By the time he got out he was able to integrate back into society and focus on his future.

Others were not so fortunate. “One day a supply helicopter would come in, call your name, and you’d be gone. Here a person went from being at war to being home with no adjustment period. He would be turned loose as if nothing had happened to him.”

When veterans did try to get help, often they were accused of trying to “work the system” and were left to find their own way to deal with PTSD, which wasn’t even acknowledged back then as a real problem.

“For some people, like myself, we were able to put it behind us for a while,” Wendell says. “I got along for several years without a major problem. Then a few years ago, I would have flashbacks that put me back in Vietnam—just as real as if it was happening.”

As this continued, Wendell’s wife, Jan, told the family doctor what was happening. He got Wendell to agree to treatment and encouraged him to enroll in the VA Healthcare Program where he received additional help through counseling.

Another good thing for him was meeting up with other veterans. “A few years back, the wife of a 1st platoon veteran saw that he was having PTSD issues, and organized a Delta Company reunion, thinking that it might help him. The level of anxiety that I had was so high when I got there, knowing I’d be with people I’d served with, but it turned out to be so therapeutic for me in the end.”

These reunions happen every other year, and at some point conversation always turns to PTSD. “There are some there who would not admit they are hurting. I understand that. There was a point when I thought, ‘I’m Wendell Strode. I’ve been President of a multi-million dollar bank, and I’m stronger than this.’ But I was no match at all for PTSD on my own. With medication and counseling though, I believe that fellow veterans with PTSD can have a better life. For the most part, I feel like the old Wendell before the flashbacks started. If you or a loved one suffer from PTSD, PLEASE get with the VA in your area and get help. Check with your U.S. Senator and Representative as some have offices set up specifically to help veterans.”

At this point in the interview, he finally looks up at me with as serious an expression as I’ve ever seen come from him. Having made it through another trip through his memories, he’s come out on the other side, ready to make the point that all of this was leading up to.

“I want my fellow veterans to know something. As someone who has been where you were and where you are, I encourage you to pleasekeep trying. Don’t give up.”

Download the complete article from America’s Sports Car Magazine

Wendell drives one of many Corvettes in the Bowling Green Veterans Day Parade.

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November is Military Appreciation Month at the National Corvette Museum and on Thursday, November 3 the Museum and NCM Motorsports Park are hosting a special recognition day for veterans and wounded warriors as part of the 8^th Annual Vets ‘n Vettes event presented by Mobil 1. Veterans are invited to come to the NCM Motorsports Park at 505 Grimes Road (just off Porter Pike) between 9:30am and 11:30am for complimentary rides around the track in Corvettes.

Following the Corvette laps, a Veterans luncheon, presented by Don Franklin Chevrolet GMC Buick of Somerset, will be held in the Museum’s Conference Center at 12pm.  The lunch is free to veterans and their spouse or guest and will feature a buffet lunch, presentation of colors, wounded warriors from Fort Campbell and Fort Knox, and special speaker. All luncheon guests must RSVP by Friday, October 30 by calling Bryce Burklow at 270-777-4506.

In celebration and recognition of those who have served, the Museum offers FREE admission to all American military veterans, as well as police and fire fighters, plus their immediate accompanying family during the month of November. Simply show proof of service at the admissions counter to receive complimentary admission. The Museum is located at I-65, exit 28 in Bowling Green, KY and is open daily, 8am-5pm Central Time. Learn more about the Museum at www.corvettemuseum.org.

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