Colin Powell served two combat tours in the Vietnam conflict and earned three medals for his service. Although Powell broke his ankle in a helicopter crash, he rushed back into the wreckage again and again to save the lives of Gettys, his chief of staff and one of the pilots. At one point, Powell tore away parts of the flaming wreckage with his bare hands to free a trapped comrade, knowing that the wrecked chopper could explode at any second. Powell received the Soldier's Medal for his bravery that day, which added to the Bronze Star and Purple Heart that he also earned during his two tours in Vietnam.