Heroic Veteran Donates Kidney to Former Commander

While America spends Veterans Day thanking servicemen and women for their service to our country, one veteran is thanking one man in particular with whom he went to war.

Earlier this week, John Middaugh donated his kidney to Henry "Bill" Warner, with whom he served in Vietnam after the duo trained together at Colorado's Fort Carson in 1968 with C Company, 1st Battalion, 11th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division.

Middaugh, 73, flew from his home in Washington state to help Warner, also 73, who lives in Brightwaters, NY. The procedure took place at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City.

Middaugh said it was high time he came to Warner's aid, noting, "He had my back many times. So this is payback time."

Warner had been having health problems since complications arose following heart bypass surgery in June of last year, eventually leading him to dialysis and the need for a new kidney.

The pair served together until early 1969 when Middaugh received a new assignment. Still, "When you live through those experiences, you have that bond," Warner said. And Middaugh proved that in spades, always reminded of something he learned while in the Army: "Know your men and look out for their welfare."

While Middaugh has come to the aid of Warner, he has no doubt Warner would return the favor. "He would do the same for me," Middaugh said.