David Donald Berdahl

David

Donald

Berdahl

Born: 1/16/1953

Birthplace: Minot,

North Dakota

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,

"Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"

And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" --Isaiah 6:8

Branch of Service: Army

Rank: Private First Class

MOS: 67M20: OH-13/OH-23 Helicopter Repairman

ID No: 501609799

Start Tour: 09/25/1971

Casualty Date: 01/20/1972

Age of Death: 19

David's Story

SYNOPSIS: By early 1967, the Bell UH1 Iroquois was already the standard Army assault helicopter, and was used in nearly every "in-country" mission. Better known by its nickname "Huey," the troop carriers were referred to as "Slicks" and the gunships were called "Hogs." It proved itself to be a sturdy, versatile aircraft which was called on to carry out a wide variety of missions including search and rescue, close air support, insertion and extraction, fire support, and resupply to name a few. It usually carried a crew of four.

On 20 January 1972, PFC David D. Berdahl, was the door gunner assigned to the four-man crew of a UH1H helicopter (tail # 69-16717). The Huey was participating in a search and recovery (SAR) mission for the two-man crew of a downed F4 fighter in the rugged jungle covered mountains a few miles northwest of Khe Sanh, Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. Also on board the Huey were four riflemen, including Specialist Harry J. Edwards, who were also taking part in the rescue mission. The aircrew and rifleman were all assigned to Troop D, 3rd Squadron, 5th Cavalry.

At approximately 1815 hours, the Huey was struck by enemy anti-aircraft artillery fire and caught fire. The fire, which started at the forward end of the aircraft, rapidly engulfed the entire helicopter. The pilot was able to auto-rotate the helicopter on to the rocks on the bank of the Raoquan River, just north of Highway 9 and approximately 2 miles due north of Khe Sanh. It landed hard and rolled over onto its left side.

An accompanying observation helicopter pilot who was unable to land because of the existing conditions, hovered long enough to visually search the wreckage for survivors. He reported seeing what he believed to be PFC Berdahl dressed in a flight suit, helmet and armored vest pinned in the burning aircraft. He was forced to withdraw when the fuel and ammunition aboard the Huey began to explode. However, he was not able to see SPC Harry Edwards either inside or outside the burning aircraft.

While the observation helicopter pilot did not see anyone leaving the burning aircraft alive, five survivors were rescued from the crash site area and the sixth man was rescued about 50 feet downstream from the crash site. The crew of the F4 was also rescued. At the time SAR efforts were terminated, both David Berdahl and Harry Edwards were listed Killed in Action/Body Not Recovered.

Casualty Country: South Vietnam

Casualty Province: Quang Tri

Coordinates: 163837 N 1065547 E

(XD883408)

David Donald Berdahl Status: MIA

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Frye – 1932

Honors Given

You can find David's Name

on Panel 2W, Row 98

Service: Army

Rank: Private First

Class

Unit: AERO RIFLE PLT, D TRP, 3RD SQDN,

5TH CAVALRY, 101ST ABN DIV, USARV

Born: 1/16/1953

Birth place: Minot,

North Dakota

David Donald Berdahl

Start Tour: 09/25/1971

Casualty Date: 01/20/1972

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Frye – 1932

Age of Death: 19 years old

Status: MIA

Casualty Country: SOUTH VIETNAM

Casualty Province: QUANG TRI

Coordinates: 163837 N 1064557 E

(XD883408)