THE WALL OF FACES

War drew us from our homeland
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always.

I have many fond memories of our times together during our high school years. You always took me to the nicest places and treated me well during those two years we dated. We broke up when you went off to Australia in search of who knows what. As things often happen, we lost touch but through friends I heard you joined the service. At the time, I thought that was a good opportunity for you and great for our country ... the army was getting a good man. Years later, I sadly heard the news of your passing. From the account I just read of your last day, it shows what a great asset you were to our country; I am so proud of your heroism. Seeing your picture after all these years (I'm 75 now) made me choke up a bit. It's exactly how I remember you ... that really nice guy from the 60's who was my first boyfriend.

Dear WO Donald McCoig, Thank you for your service as an Utility & Light Cargo Single Rotor Helicopter Pilot. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Time passes quickly, but our world needs help. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Warrant Officer Donald Bruce McCoig, Served with the 281st Assault Helicopter Company, 10th Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, United States Army Vietnam.

Donald B. McCoig
Date of birth: 21-Jan-46
Date of death: Killed in Action
Place of Birth: California, Van Nuys
Home of record: Ventura California
Status: KIA

AWARDS AND CITATIONS

Distinguished Service Cross

Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Warrant Officer One (WO-1) Donald B. McCoig (ASN: W-3155950), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with 281st Aviation Company, 10th Combat Aviation Battalion, 17th Combat Aviation Group. Warrant Officer McCoig distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 March 1968 as aircraft commander of an assault helicopter on a combat mission near Hue. After air strikes had pounded an enemy stronghold, he volunteered to fly Vietnamese ground forces into the area to conduct bomb assessment and search and destroy operations. During the second airlift into the landing zone, his ship received intense enemy automatic weapons fire which heavily damaged the craft and wounded the co-pilot and gunner. Displaying outstanding courage and airmanship, Mister McCoig continued into the battle area under heavy fire and landed his helicopter. He then led his men to cover and returned through the fusillade to recover the aircraft's weapons and equipment. Remaining calm, he skillfully treated the wounded until an evacuation ship arrived and carried them all to safety. Three more aircraft were shot down in the ensuing action, and Mister McCoig volunteered to return to the raging firefight to extract their crews. With complete disregard for his safety, he again flew into the area and landed amid a curtain of fire. Bullets tore into his craft, but he refused to take off until the members of one stranded crew had climbed aboard. As he became airborne, the enemy forces concentrated their full firepower on his ship, and he was killed by a hail of rounds tearing into the cockpit. Warrant Officer McCoig's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 2250 (May 14, 1968)

Action Date: 29-Mar-68

Service: Army

Rank: Warrant Officer 1

Company: 281st Aviation Company

Battalion: 10th Combat Aviation Battalion

Regiment: 17th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade