Memorial Day 2018

[winchester73]

For mitch, the Phantom Phixer, who kept the F4s flying.

Freedom is not free.  All gave some, but some gave all.  Honor and remember those who paid the ultimate price, and be grateful for their sacrifice.


"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go. Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind."

Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
170th Assault Helicopter Company
Dak To, Vietnam



Mike was shot down a few months later on 24 March 1970 while attempting to extract 8 members of LRRP RT Pennsylvania.  The 3 American Special Forces and 5 Montagnard tribesmen were 14 miles inside Cambodia in Ratanokiri Province, chased by a NVA Counter-Recon Hunter team with dogs, and had declared a Prairie Fire emergency. 

The Bikinis aircrews supporting MACV-SOG operations had a creed they lived by ... "You take them in - you get them out!"

RED THREE'S last transmission before his Huey burst into flames above the hot LZ was "I've got all eight, I'm coming out."

Listed as KIA on 7 February 1978 (Presumptive Finding of Death).  Remains repatriated on 12 April 1995.  Identified on 20 June 2001.  Came home to Arlington National Cemetery in a group burial on 16 August 2001.

Panel 12W Line 40
(The cross was changed to a diamond)

O'Donnell received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

His "gentle heroes" poem was recited during the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in 1982, and rolled by in the closing credits of the 1987 movie "Hamburger Hill".

[Corrine]

Vietnam Memorial Wall
April 30, 2005
Photograph by Luigi Masu

In honor of those who gave their all in the service of their country. 

[plodr]

Remembering those who gave all.

[frapper]

[hayc59]

Thanks to them all!!