Wyoming's Most Decorated Veteran Finds Healing in Meeting Former Foe

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Lee Alley, a highly decorated U.S. Army veteran from Wyoming, returned to Vietnam decades after the war and had a life-changing encounter with a former enemy soldier he fought against. Alley, who was nominated for the Medal of Honor for his actions in battle, initially struggled to reintegrate into civilian life after the war. But a chance meeting with the Vietnamese veteran, who witnessed Alley's heroics, helped him find healing and closure from the trauma of war.

Why it matters

Alley's story highlights the profound impact that war can have on soldiers, even years later, and the importance of finding ways to reconcile with former enemies. His reluctance to be recognized as a hero mirrors the experiences of many veterans who grapple with the realities of combat. The chance encounter in Vietnam allowed Alley to finally make peace with his past and move forward.

The details

Alley, a former U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant, was known as the "Wyoming Audie Murphy" for his heroic actions in the Vietnam War. In 1967, he single-handedly held off a North Vietnamese assault, allowing his reconnaissance unit to escape across a river. This action led to a Medal of Honor nomination, though Alley initially refused to discuss it, feeling unworthy of such recognition. After the war, Alley struggled to reintegrate into civilian life, haunted by nightmares. Decades later, Alley returned to Vietnam with a Wyoming PBS film crew and had a chance encounter with a former Vietnamese soldier who had witnessed his actions. The Vietnamese veteran revealed that he had retrieved the rifles Alley had thrown into the river, and the two men embraced, agreeing to "bury the past" and end their shared nightmares.

• In 1967, Alley single-handedly held off a North Vietnamese assault during the Battle of Fire Support Base Cudgel.
• Alley was nominated for the Medal of Honor following his actions in the 1967 battle, but initially refused to discuss it.
• Decades after the war, Alley returned to Vietnam in 2025 with a Wyoming PBS film crew to revisit the battlefield.
• During the 2025 trip, Alley had a chance encounter with a former Vietnamese soldier who had witnessed his actions in the 1967 battle.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Alley will be honored at an event at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Wyoming on March 28, 2026, where a documentary about his life and experiences will be screened, followed by a panel discussion.