All’s Well That Ends Well
Sorta…
Forty years later.
Vietnam hero cures an old Rutgers wound
Forty years ago, he attempted to pursue a law degree upon his return from Vietnam and rehabilitation in veterans’ hospitals. He’d been through hell, and the last place he expected to face more of it was in academia. But the climate in the late 1960s and early ’70s was often inhospitable to those who had served in Vietnam, even the most highly decorated.
Academia – Then and now?
Because of opposition to the Vietnam War and an antipathy toward those who served, Christian said, the faculty made a circus of his attempt to earn a law degree. “If I got a grade that was marginal, they would release it to the newspapers and news media,” he said.
Christian said certain of the deans had disputed the existence and severity of his war injuries, many of which are not obvious. “I was asked by the administration to disrobe in front of the student body because they didn’t think I was a disabled veteran,” Christian said.
“At the time there was no Americans With Disabilities Act and there was no Privacy Act,” he said. “They couldn’t touch the politicians, but they could touch a war hero.”
He said some faculty members would post lists of purported Vietnam heroes – lists that would include North Vietnamese names.
I haven’t vetted this story, Jonn or someone else with more ready resources can do so. I can personally vouch for the atmosphere in many colleges back then and that’s why I decided to post this. Consider this a history lesson if nothing else.
Update: Thanks to those who filled in the blanks, so to speak. Even I remembered the name, but this IS TAH. So I added the caveat.
Category: Antiwar crowd, Historical, Military issues, Real Soldiers, Schools, Shitbags, Veterans Issues
Need a hand, Pons?
David_Christian
Philly Inquirer
He’s listed for DSC at Doug Sterner
Citations listed at Military Times
Thanks Street. In truth I was pressed for time… Happens rarely here on the ridge, but I had to cut grass while the sun was shining. Again thanks.
Aside: You going to Broken Arrow for Amanda?
Broken Arrow for Amanda? Whats it about?
Street: see my latest post.
CHRISTIAN, DAVID A.
Citation:
The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to David A. Christian (0-5345884), First Lieutenant (Infantry), U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Combat Support Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Christian distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 October 1968 while in charge of the lead element of a reconnaissance-in-force mission ten miles northwest of Quan Loi. During an attempt to flank enemy positions, Lieutenant Christian’s nine-man unit came under heavy rocket-propelled grenade, small arms and automatic weapons fire. After firing several light antitank weapons, he led an assault on the hostile strongholds, killing three North Vietnamese and causing others to flee. As he and his comrades advanced they again received intense small arms and machine gun fire and three men were wounded. Lieutenant Christian sent the casualties and the medic to the rear, and then led his troops forward until they became pinned down within ten meters of a bunker. Disregarding his safety, he assaulted the fortification single-handedly and destroyed it with hand grenades. The communists were reinforced by approximately thirty men, forcing the reconnaissance team to take cover behind a berm. Despite the enemy’s devastating fire superiority, Lieutenant Christian attacked them with two antitank weapons. He was painfully wounded in the hand, but refused medical care and returned to the berm to direct artillery fire. When friendly reinforcements arrived two hours later, he directed them to cover his left flank while he attempted to evacuate his casualties. Although wounded again by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade, he did not permit himself to be treated until the other injured men had been evacuated. Lieutenant Christian’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, US Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1192 (April 7, 1969)
Home Town: Turnersville, New Jersey
I think if you go to that first link I put up & read the blurb, it’ll kind of wake you up.
triggers (the flashback dance)