THE WALL OF FACES

I met Joe in 1965 when we went through the Area Intelligence Course at Ft. Holabird together. We became good friends and stayed in touch with each other for years. I arrived in Vietnam in November 1970 and was assigned to 525 MI Group HQ in Saigon. Joe called me a couple of weeks later and let me know he was in I Corps and told me he found out from a mutual friend that I was in country and that he was planning a trip to Saigon and would see me then. On December 16, when I reported for duty as the Group Duty Officer for that night, the CO advised me that the helicopter in I Corps had crashed and he wanted me to send the list of casualties to he quarters as soon as I received it. It came in around 9 pm that evening and I was devastated when I saw Joe’s name as one of the people killed. I later talked to Roger Ahlquist his CO (who I knew from a previous assignment) and got the facts about the crash. Joe was one of the best soldiers I had ever served with and died doing what he loved.

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrances from your sister Theresa are especially poignant and reflect her love for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us.

Chief Warrant Officer Joseph John Danna Jr., Served with the 571st Military Intelligence Detachment, 525th Military Intelligence Group, United States Army Vietnam.

Dear CWO Joseph Danna,
Thank you for your service as an Area Intelligence Technician. Today is Good Friday, and Passover begins tonight. Easter is coming up. Happy Easter. It is so important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

CWO2 Danna, You are remembered and honored. Things went so wrong on that short flight. UH-1H 67-17532.