David was three days short of his 21st birthday, far from home, in Binh Long South Viet Nam when he lost his life. I had run into him the preceding summer, and he had just received his draft notice…mine was to follow a few months later. As we talked about answering the Call to Duty, there was apprehension, but also the feeling that at 20 years old we were going to live forever. Wishing him well we parted. Less than a year later, I got the letter from my Mom telling me that David had been killed. He was a good soul, a friendly guy, and deserved better. I believe he was our only classmate to die in country, though there were other casualties of that war (Tom Bridgman, Wayne Melander), that are not counted among the 58,148 listed on The Wall. Those of us that served…we all gave some, and some gave all. May they rest in God’s arms and may their memory be a blessing to all of us.
I believe Dave was our only classmate to die in Viet Nam. I did not know him well, but we ate lunch together occasionally. We learned that each of us enjoyed hunting, so we spent a day together in the field. I don't remember if we even shot anything, but we had a good time. I was so sad to learn he lost his life in Viet Nam. I wrote the defense dept. to learn more about his death. The ony information I learned is that he died of burns in combat,and that his body was recovered. He was a Spec.4 with the 1st Infantry Div. I was again saddened when I later learned he was a only child. I hope there is some way as a class that we can remember those who gave their life for our country.
I agree and hope that plans are being made to honor our fallen classmates who gave their lives in Viet Nam... no matter what the circumstances. Thank guys for posting the names & memories you have of those who gave their all.
I knew Tom Bridgeman through our youth group but was not aware of his death. He was a year younger than I & a very special person who had much to offer the world. I'm deeply saddened to learn his life was cut so short.
Even though I lived only a block away from Dave on Rolf Ave., I didn't know him very well other than car pooling to the "U" in '66/67'. He was a very quiet person. Our mothers were friends though and, as a result, Dave and I exchanged letters while we both were serving. I remember the day very well when I received the letter that he had passed in Viet Nam, Like other posters, I hope his death will be recognized in some way at the reunion.
This weekend the traveling Vietnam Wall of Remembrance stopped in Naperville IL where I live. There was a very good turnout and several Vietnam vets were present to answer questions and exchange stories with friends and family of these deceased vets. I was pleased to have no difficulty locating David's name on the Wall. It was quite an emotional tribute. I served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War, but was based in the US so was never in harm's way. I have a great deal of respect for all those who served on the front lines and was pleased to be able to honor, in this small way, those who lost their lives while serving in Vietnam.
RIP, David. CB
I took several pictures of the Wall and the place were David's name is engraved, but was unable to upload the pictures here, which I hoped to do. Perhaps Jeff or others can help me figure out how to upload pics.
I didn't know Dave but these comments reminded me just how much our young men gave and lost during the Vietnam War. I can't imagine the fear all these young men must have felt as they left for Vietnam. Many lives were lost during the war, but many vets are still struggling today from the aftermath of that war. Our vets were not cheered on as they returned home from duty, but booed, hissed and spat upon. I'm proud of all those vets that fought in an unpopular and controversial war for their country. Most had no choice but did so with pride.
It's time to honor and say thank you to all our vets, but especially the Vietnam vets that were shunned shamelessly by America.
THANK YOU to all the men and women serving to protect our country. You are appreciated. 🇺🇸
Scott Nelson
David was three days short of his 21st birthday, far from home, in Binh Long South Viet Nam when he lost his life. I had run into him the preceding summer, and he had just received his draft notice…mine was to follow a few months later. As we talked about answering the Call to Duty, there was apprehension, but also the feeling that at 20 years old we were going to live forever. Wishing him well we parted. Less than a year later, I got the letter from my Mom telling me that David had been killed. He was a good soul, a friendly guy, and deserved better. I believe he was our only classmate to die in country, though there were other casualties of that war (Tom Bridgman, Wayne Melander), that are not counted among the 58,148 listed on The Wall. Those of us that served…we all gave some, and some gave all. May they rest in God’s arms and may their memory be a blessing to all of us.
Bill Barington
I believe Dave was our only classmate to die in Viet Nam. I did not know him well, but we ate lunch together occasionally. We learned that each of us enjoyed hunting, so we spent a day together in the field. I don't remember if we even shot anything, but we had a good time. I was so sad to learn he lost his life in Viet Nam. I wrote the defense dept. to learn more about his death. The ony information I learned is that he died of burns in combat,and that his body was recovered. He was a Spec.4 with the 1st Infantry Div. I was again saddened when I later learned he was a only child. I hope there is some way as a class that we can remember those who gave their life for our country.
Bill Barington
Barbara Hawley (Harms)
I agree and hope that plans are being made to honor our fallen classmates who gave their lives in Viet Nam... no matter what the circumstances. Thank guys for posting the names & memories you have of those who gave their all.
I knew Tom Bridgeman through our youth group but was not aware of his death. He was a year younger than I & a very special person who had much to offer the world. I'm deeply saddened to learn his life was cut so short.
Larry Zins
Even though I lived only a block away from Dave on Rolf Ave., I didn't know him very well other than car pooling to the "U" in '66/67'. He was a very quiet person. Our mothers were friends though and, as a result, Dave and I exchanged letters while we both were serving. I remember the day very well when I received the letter that he had passed in Viet Nam, Like other posters, I hope his death will be recognized in some way at the reunion.
Chris Bowers
This weekend the traveling Vietnam Wall of Remembrance stopped in Naperville IL where I live. There was a very good turnout and several Vietnam vets were present to answer questions and exchange stories with friends and family of these deceased vets. I was pleased to have no difficulty locating David's name on the Wall. It was quite an emotional tribute. I served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War, but was based in the US so was never in harm's way. I have a great deal of respect for all those who served on the front lines and was pleased to be able to honor, in this small way, those who lost their lives while serving in Vietnam.
RIP, David. CB
I took several pictures of the Wall and the place were David's name is engraved, but was unable to upload the pictures here, which I hoped to do. Perhaps Jeff or others can help me figure out how to upload pics.
Patricia Drew (Drew)
I didn't know Dave but these comments reminded me just how much our young men gave and lost during the Vietnam War. I can't imagine the fear all these young men must have felt as they left for Vietnam. Many lives were lost during the war, but many vets are still struggling today from the aftermath of that war. Our vets were not cheered on as they returned home from duty, but booed, hissed and spat upon. I'm proud of all those vets that fought in an unpopular and controversial war for their country. Most had no choice but did so with pride.
It's time to honor and say thank you to all our vets, but especially the Vietnam vets that were shunned shamelessly by America.
THANK YOU to all the men and women serving to protect our country. You are appreciated. 🇺🇸