Mike Sabo and his wife, Pat
Scott Cooksey, President of Support Our Troops
It is my pleasure to announce that Robson Ranch resident Mike Sabo has been awarded the 2025 26th Congressional Veteran Commendation. Mike was selected among a large slate of veterans recommended for this prestigious award. Only five veterans are awarded this Commendation each year. Mike has been a member and served as Vice President of Support our Troops for many years.
Having a deep love for our country, a young Mike Sabo volunteered in 1968 to proudly serve in the United States Army. After completing basic and advanced training, Mike advanced to Officer Candidate School (Infantry). Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a First Lieutenant. Once again volunteering for duty, he attended Jungle Warfare School before being deployed to Vietnam, where he served as a Platoon Leader for 24–44 troops with the 101st Airborne Division.
One fateful day in the jungle, on day 6 of a fast pursuit of a 200 man force of North Vietnamese sappers in the Ruong Ruong valley and into mountains on the Laotian border with his 24 man platoon, the second of two immediate fuse type explosive traps were missed—immediate-fuse booby traps tied to ground vines. Mike tripped the device. Gravely wounded, he was air lifted out on a medevac from the jungle floor, suffering from 12 injuries. His right ear was mangled, bleeding, and partially deafened by the blast. His left leg had taken the brunt of the explosion and became the main concern of a young combat surgeon who examined him.
The surgeon discussed amputation may be necessary to save his life. Summoning every ounce of strength, Mike pleaded for the surgeon to try to save it. Against the odds, the surgeon reluctantly agreed. With no time for anesthesia, Mike endured the entire operation fully awake—biting down on a rubber bar, much like scenes from the movies, enduring unimaginable pain with unshakable resolve. The surgeon excised the shredded calf muscle along with damage to his right hand, wrist, and right flank wounds.
Mike spent nine days in the 85th Evacuation Hospital in Phu Bai, followed by four weeks aboard the USS Hospital Ship Sanctuary. He eventually recovered, his leg was saved, and he was medically discharged.
For his service and sacrifice, Mike received numerous awards, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Because of that life-changing decision by the surgeon who saved his leg, Mike developed a burning desire to give back to others in the same way. He pursued a career in medicine, becoming a podiatrist specializing in foot and ankle disorders. Mike is double Board certified and double Fellowed in his specialty. After medical school, he settled in Lufkin, Texas, where he served the community for 32 years, touching the lives of thousands of Texans.
Mike Sabo and his wife, Pat, attended a special luncheon on Nov. 12, 2025. Mike was awarded the 26th Congressional District Veteran Commendation in recognition of his extraordinary courage in combat, his determination in recovery, and his lifelong commitment to serving others.