Congressmen Baird, Mast, Crenshaw to headline fundraiser together

In a January photo billed as “5 eyes. 5 arms. 4 legs. All American.” congressmen and combat veterans Jim Baird, Brian Mast and Dan Crenshaw proudly share their war wounds with the world. The three men will be honored together during an October fundraiser for Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Courtesy photo

The three veterans and legislators whose photo went viral when the 2019 U.S. Congress session opened in January will be together again at an upcoming GOP fundraiser.

Congressman Jim Baird of Greencastle, who lost his arm in Vietnam, will again appear alongside Congressman Brian Mast of Florida and Congressman Dan Crenshaw of Texas, this time during an October fundraiser for Gov. Eric Holcomb in Indianapolis.

Mast’s Jan. 3 tweet welcoming the other two men — both freshman members — to Congress garnered widespread attention with its succinct caption of “5 eyes. 5 arms. 4 legs. All American.”

Baird is missing a hand following his service, while Mast lost both legs and a finger and Crenshaw lost his right eye.

Baird was in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. Serving Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District, he was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018.

Mast served in the U.S. Army and the elite Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) while deployed in Afghanistan. He earned the Bronze Star with valor, The Army Commendation Medal for Valor, the Purple Heart, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016.

Crenshaw was a U.S. Navy SEAL who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain and South Korea. He was awarded with two Bronze Stars (one with valor), the Purple Heart, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Valor, among others. He was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018.