SP5 Donnie Wray Anderson, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Shelby, NC.
SP5 Donnie Wray Anderson was a member of the Army. SP5 Anderson served our country until June 24th, 1971 in Quang Tri, South Vietnam. He was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Donnie died from an undetermined explosion. His body was recovered. SP5 Anderson is on panel 03W, line 086 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.
Andy was a fine person. He was always ready to help and worked in some of the most hostile places and weather. His smile and determination to keep our "tracks' moving even when they seemed to be blasted apart was an inspiration to us all. I was not with him the night that he was killed, but struggled to provide fire from a nearby position. Both Cpt Hackett and I were up all night until we could strike out for a rescue attempt at first light. I have thought about him and that particular night for nearly 30 years now wishing that it did not happen. Again, Andy lost his life trying to help out his fellow troopers. You see, he did not have to stay up late that night manning the .50 cal providing guard over our night defensive position. His job was to make the darn APC's run when we needed them and he probably had worked all day doing so. The thought of just how close he came to coming home with the rest of us just retches my gut out every time I think of it. It was a senseless loss, one that could have been avoided if just a few things had gone differently. We all miss him dearly and can only offer our prayers to his family and friends. People, names and faces got lost over the years, but not his. How do you figure that? Andy was a special one, that's why. William Loebick, Forward Observer Artillery Officer, County Road 199, Mt Vernon, Ohio.
A Quiet Smiling Giant. I can't remember exactly when Donnie and I started sharing classes together, probably from 1st grade on. I always remember his tall, lanky frame and sweet smile. He was a gentle giant. I regret that I did not know him better. My oldest brother, Dennis, served in Vietnam from September 1966 to September 1967. I was a junior in high school. The war touched our family deeply. We stayed glued to the network news. And rejoiced every time we received a letter. During that year, I can remember spending evenings lying in a lawn chair in the back yard watching the night sky and knowing that my brother saw the same sky. By God's Grace, my brother came home. Some years later Donnie gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. May those who knew him never forget his heroic actions. I pray that his family can find comfort in these words. The older I get the more I regret that I did not know him better. Gail McCurry Wegrzyn, PO Box 133, 108 Falls St, Fallston, NC 28042.
Donnie's parents are John Samuel and Clara Lee Anderson. They are both Deceased and are interred at Cleveland Memorial Park in Boiling Springs, NC.
He served with Bravo Troop, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, USARV.
He was awarded The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal and The National Defense Service Medal.
SP5 Donnie Wray Anderson was a member of the Army. SP5 Anderson served our country until June 24th, 1971 in Quang Tri, South Vietnam. He was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Donnie died from an undetermined explosion. His body was recovered. SP5 Anderson is on panel 03W, line 086 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.
Andy was a fine person. He was always ready to help and worked in some of the most hostile places and weather. His smile and determination to keep our "tracks' moving even when they seemed to be blasted apart was an inspiration to us all. I was not with him the night that he was killed, but struggled to provide fire from a nearby position. Both Cpt Hackett and I were up all night until we could strike out for a rescue attempt at first light. I have thought about him and that particular night for nearly 30 years now wishing that it did not happen. Again, Andy lost his life trying to help out his fellow troopers. You see, he did not have to stay up late that night manning the .50 cal providing guard over our night defensive position. His job was to make the darn APC's run when we needed them and he probably had worked all day doing so. The thought of just how close he came to coming home with the rest of us just retches my gut out every time I think of it. It was a senseless loss, one that could have been avoided if just a few things had gone differently. We all miss him dearly and can only offer our prayers to his family and friends. People, names and faces got lost over the years, but not his. How do you figure that? Andy was a special one, that's why. William Loebick, Forward Observer Artillery Officer, County Road 199, Mt Vernon, Ohio.
A Quiet Smiling Giant. I can't remember exactly when Donnie and I started sharing classes together, probably from 1st grade on. I always remember his tall, lanky frame and sweet smile. He was a gentle giant. I regret that I did not know him better. My oldest brother, Dennis, served in Vietnam from September 1966 to September 1967. I was a junior in high school. The war touched our family deeply. We stayed glued to the network news. And rejoiced every time we received a letter. During that year, I can remember spending evenings lying in a lawn chair in the back yard watching the night sky and knowing that my brother saw the same sky. By God's Grace, my brother came home. Some years later Donnie gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. May those who knew him never forget his heroic actions. I pray that his family can find comfort in these words. The older I get the more I regret that I did not know him better. Gail McCurry Wegrzyn, PO Box 133, 108 Falls St, Fallston, NC 28042.
Donnie's parents are John Samuel and Clara Lee Anderson. They are both Deceased and are interred at Cleveland Memorial Park in Boiling Springs, NC.
He served with Bravo Troop, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, USARV.
He was awarded The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal and The National Defense Service Medal.
SP5 Donnie Wray Anderson, Vietnam Veteran, Native of Shelby, NC.
SP5 Donnie Wray Anderson was a member of the Army. SP5 Anderson served our country until June 24th, 1971 in Quang Tri, South Vietnam. He was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Donnie died from an undetermined explosion. His body was recovered. SP5 Anderson is on panel 03W, line 086 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.
Andy was a fine person. He was always ready to help and worked in some of the most hostile places and weather. His smile and determination to keep our "tracks' moving even when they seemed to be blasted apart was an inspiration to us all. I was not with him the night that he was killed, but struggled to provide fire from a nearby position. Both Cpt Hackett and I were up all night until we could strike out for a rescue attempt at first light. I have thought about him and that particular night for nearly 30 years now wishing that it did not happen. Again, Andy lost his life trying to help out his fellow troopers. You see, he did not have to stay up late that night manning the .50 cal providing guard over our night defensive position. His job was to make the darn APC's run when we needed them and he probably had worked all day doing so. The thought of just how close he came to coming home with the rest of us just retches my gut out every time I think of it. It was a senseless loss, one that could have been avoided if just a few things had gone differently. We all miss him dearly and can only offer our prayers to his family and friends. People, names and faces got lost over the years, but not his. How do you figure that? Andy was a special one, that's why. William Loebick, Forward Observer Artillery Officer, County Road 199, Mt Vernon, Ohio.
A Quiet Smiling Giant. I can't remember exactly when Donnie and I started sharing classes together, probably from 1st grade on. I always remember his tall, lanky frame and sweet smile. He was a gentle giant. I regret that I did not know him better. My oldest brother, Dennis, served in Vietnam from September 1966 to September 1967. I was a junior in high school. The war touched our family deeply. We stayed glued to the network news. And rejoiced every time we received a letter. During that year, I can remember spending evenings lying in a lawn chair in the back yard watching the night sky and knowing that my brother saw the same sky. By God's Grace, my brother came home. Some years later Donnie gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. May those who knew him never forget his heroic actions. I pray that his family can find comfort in these words. The older I get the more I regret that I did not know him better. Gail McCurry Wegrzyn, PO Box 133, 108 Falls St, Fallston, NC 28042.
Donnie's parents are John Samuel and Clara Lee Anderson. They are both Deceased and are interred at Cleveland Memorial Park in Boiling Springs, NC.
He served with Bravo Troop, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, USARV.
He was awarded The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal and The National Defense Service Medal.
SP5 Donnie Wray Anderson was a member of the Army. SP5 Anderson served our country until June 24th, 1971 in Quang Tri, South Vietnam. He was 21 years old and was not married. It was reported that Donnie died from an undetermined explosion. His body was recovered. SP5 Anderson is on panel 03W, line 086 of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.
Andy was a fine person. He was always ready to help and worked in some of the most hostile places and weather. His smile and determination to keep our "tracks' moving even when they seemed to be blasted apart was an inspiration to us all. I was not with him the night that he was killed, but struggled to provide fire from a nearby position. Both Cpt Hackett and I were up all night until we could strike out for a rescue attempt at first light. I have thought about him and that particular night for nearly 30 years now wishing that it did not happen. Again, Andy lost his life trying to help out his fellow troopers. You see, he did not have to stay up late that night manning the .50 cal providing guard over our night defensive position. His job was to make the darn APC's run when we needed them and he probably had worked all day doing so. The thought of just how close he came to coming home with the rest of us just retches my gut out every time I think of it. It was a senseless loss, one that could have been avoided if just a few things had gone differently. We all miss him dearly and can only offer our prayers to his family and friends. People, names and faces got lost over the years, but not his. How do you figure that? Andy was a special one, that's why. William Loebick, Forward Observer Artillery Officer, County Road 199, Mt Vernon, Ohio.
A Quiet Smiling Giant. I can't remember exactly when Donnie and I started sharing classes together, probably from 1st grade on. I always remember his tall, lanky frame and sweet smile. He was a gentle giant. I regret that I did not know him better. My oldest brother, Dennis, served in Vietnam from September 1966 to September 1967. I was a junior in high school. The war touched our family deeply. We stayed glued to the network news. And rejoiced every time we received a letter. During that year, I can remember spending evenings lying in a lawn chair in the back yard watching the night sky and knowing that my brother saw the same sky. By God's Grace, my brother came home. Some years later Donnie gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. May those who knew him never forget his heroic actions. I pray that his family can find comfort in these words. The older I get the more I regret that I did not know him better. Gail McCurry Wegrzyn, PO Box 133, 108 Falls St, Fallston, NC 28042.
Donnie's parents are John Samuel and Clara Lee Anderson. They are both Deceased and are interred at Cleveland Memorial Park in Boiling Springs, NC.
He served with Bravo Troop, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, USARV.
He was awarded The Purple Heart Medal for his combat related wounds, The Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Service Medal and The National Defense Service Medal.
