22 Nov 2001 Donnie was a guy I knew for many years. From kindergarden to graduation we went to school together. He was a stand-out basketball player in high school, winning many awards. He was a tough kid but the older he got the more he started to be a guy that would help anybody do anything, all you had do do was ask. After graduation I went to work in a steel mill and Donnie went to college. I never heard anything from him or about him, just didn't think about it. I got drafted in October 1967, and ended up in Nam in March 68. I spent several months in the field, and when I went on R&R in February 69 I extended until May so I could get out of the Army when I left Nam. I was asigned a job in the rear. I was getting a detail together to unload a truck. I was walking in front of the company supply building, when I looked up there was Donnie walking toward me. Donnie stood about 6'5" tall. There was no way to mistake him for someone else - it was him. I could not talk so we walked right passed each other without speaking. I was in back of the building when someone grabbed me and turned me around and said, "What is the matter? Is a Sergeant to good to speak to a PFC?". Man did we speak, we had a good time for a couple of days then he went to the field. I went and seen him a few time before I headed for home. It was on my last talk with him, that something did not seem right. Donnie had always been a guy that had all the faith in himself to be the best at what ever he did. At this time he no longer had that faith. We said our goodbyes, and when we parted I felt that, that would be the last time I ever seen my long time Pal alive, and I was very sad. He was proud to serve his country and died doing so. When he came home to be laid to rest I was also proud to chosen one of the men that got to lay my long time friend to rest. Donnie my friend, you may be gone on to another basketball court or what ever you feel like doing, but you are not forgotten by me. Until it is my time to be called home and when we can tell some old stories again, rest in peace. Cliff

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall The 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry, lost nine men on 09 June 1969: 1LT Waldemar J. Geiger, Cleveland, OH, "A" Co SGT William D. Bushard, Mancelona, MI, "B" Company SGT William D. Sparks, Stout, OH,, "B" Company SGT Terry G. Rada, Geddes, SD, "D" Company SGT Daniel T. Thurston, Ambler, PA, HQ Company SP4 Christopher J. Bean, Rockland, MA, "C" Company SP4 Gary J. Winkler, North Babylon, NY, HQ Company PFC Larry R. Gilbertson, Mora, MN, "B" Company PFC Donald O. Hartman, Independence, MO, "C" Company

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