Big & Rich - 8th Of November

Kris Kristofferson provides an introduction and the background of the song “8th of November” from Big and Rich. The song is a tribute to their friend, Niles Harris, United States Army retired, who was one of the wounded soldiers that day and who gave Big Kenny his top hat. On the 8th of November 1965, the 173rd Airborne Brigade was in Vietnam on “Operation Hump” when they were ambushed by over 1200 Viet Cong fighters resulting in 48 American soldiers being killed in action. The fighting resulted in a Medal of Honor being awarded to a combat medic, Lawrence Joel, for saving so many lives in the during the battle that day. Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his brother.