* * * Paul Hellstrom Foster * * *

San Mateo, California
Medal of Honor recipient (posthumously) for
his actions during the Battle of Bastard's Bridge
(aka the Washout) north of Cam Lo,
Republic of Vietnam October 14, 1967.
Paul Foster's effort and sacrifice during
this battle, in which he lost his life,
enabled many others to live.

 

Far Away from Home
(Aaron Keith Nicholson)

North of Cam Lo at the Washout
Paul Foster rechecked his map and comm
Three moons before the fight for Khe Sahn
Frog and cricket stopped making sound
Heart pounding, Paul sensed
Trouble where he’d been sent

[CHORUS]
Fighting one people for another people’s road
Far away, far away from home
Helping carry someone else’s load
Far away, far away from home

"Boom, Boom, Boom!"
Darkness was ripped back
By explosions and choking gas
Silhouettes crashed through the wire
The night writhed in streams of fire
Shapes yelled, fell and merged
Paul Foster was injured
[CHORUS]

He called the big guns down on top
As blade and e-tool hit them spots
From the shadows, a small package flew in
Six lives neared an end
Surrounded, no refuge, no chance
Until Paul Foster took the blast
[CHORUS]

Paul Foster didn’t run or hide
Paul Foster chose to answer the cry
For life and freedom
Far away, far away from home

Paul was key to winning this fight
Five and more surviving the night
Our boys geared up and carried on
Paul was carried home to California
Others got to live their life
Because Paul Foster sacrificed
[CHORUS]
FAR AWAY FROM HOME Copyright 2004 by Aaron Keith Nicholson

The photo of Paul Foster is by the United States Marine Corps. The United States Marine Corps is not affiliated with nor does it endorse Rcaen Saga or their products.