Davino, Thomas Alphonse, SGT

Casualty Occurrence: This soldier wsa killed when the aircraft he was a passenger on crashed in Van Co Dong River in Long An Province.

1968-07-14, Chicago Tribune (IL), Davino, Edition: Chicago Tribune, Sgt. Thomas A. Davino, USA, age 21, in Viet Nam, beloved son of Alphonse and Marcella, nee Jacob; fond brother of Brother Louis, O. F. M. and Kathy; dearest grandson of Luigi and Carmella, nee Dascoli; loving nephew of Ralph "Jut" [Marie, nee Esposito], Salvatore, Mary [Mario] De-Stefano, and Roger. Funeral Monday, 9:15 a.m., from Columbian Funeral Home, 6621 W. North avenue, Oak Park, to Our Lady of Pompeii church. Requiem mass 10:30 a.m. Entombment Queen of Heaven. Please omit flowers. ES 9-5151, Vi 8-3010. 

Seven men, including the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion 47th Infantry, died when a UH-1 (tail number 64-13854) was shot down on 03 Jul 1968 during operations in Long An Province: 240th AHC aircrew:, SP4 Ronald L. Bellinger, Jamaica, NY, SP4 Gary D. Holton, Chico, CA. Passengers from 2nd Bn, 47th Infantry: LTC Frederick F. Van Deusen, Blacksburg, VA, HHC 2/47 (DSC), 1LT Colin E. Lamb, Caldwell, ID, HHB 1/11th Arty (FO with 2/47), SGT Thomas A. Davino, Chicago, IL, HHC 2/47 (CO's radioman) (BSM), SGT Joseph Hodges, Midville, GA, Alpha 2/47, SGT Philip L. Whitney, Fort Collins, CO, Alpha 2/47, The Huey was LTC Van Deusen's Command and Control aircraft; it crashed in the Vam Co River 18 miles southwest of Saigon.

Sgt Davino's Family: Father: Alphonse T. Davino, Mother: Marcella Davino, Family:  Kathy Davino Alagna (Sister), Michele, Christina, Michale, Louis. He died in a helicopter crash as a result of hostile automatic weapons fire that raked the aircraft, causing it to crash into a portion of the Song Van Co Dong River.  SP4 Davino was a non-crew member on this flight with LTC Frederick French Van Deusen, Battalion Commander of the 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division.  The Battalion was on combat operations near Ben Luc, Republic of South Vietnam. He was posthumously promoted to Grade E5 Sergeant. 

With All Our Love Forever: Your Sister And Family, Kathy, Michael, Michele, and Christina.
 
You died over 36 years ago. I was only 14, but not one day has gone by in those 36 yrs. that I have not thought or cried for you. I still see that smiling face of yours even though we were 7 years apart, we were close.  I MISS YOU! Your death changed so many lives I can't begin to tell you. I want to thank everyone who served with you, who were good to you and made it a little easier for you to be in that war. I know there must be many friends out there from Vietnam and all your friends out here still talk about you and carry your mass card in their wallets; it makes me proud even though I was always proud of you and glad you where my brother. I will never get over your death.  I will remember you every day and cry for you every day for the rest of my life. I LOVE YOU!! Your Sister, Kathy.
 
My Brother, My Hero. Well Tom it's 47 years that you have been gone from us. My feelings have not changed and never will. I've met some of the guys you were with in Nam. God has answered my prayer from 47 yrs ago and I got to meet one of the survivors. Oh the helicopter crash. He straightened out a lot of things that we didn't know.  I wish Mom, Dad and Louie where here to have met him. What a great man and wonderful wife. I am always happy to hear from them. All the other guys like Russian Vibberts who made me feel so welcomed and I feel him as a true brother. Joe Clarion you 2 had a real good time together.  LOL??  I was so happy you did what you did to have some laughs. Bob Porter who I only got an email from. Tim Burke who said that he usually was on missions like you were when you died.  Every 2 yrs. They have a reunion. I attended 2 of them. When I leave I am sad because I know I won't be seeing any of them for 2 yrs maybe. I also leave there knowing it should not be me there, it should be you. I love you more than ever. Sister, Kathy Davino Alagna, 2015.

Garnet Jenkins, Just passing by. Grand Junction, Colorado.. "GREATER LOVE, HATH NO MAN THAN THIS. THAT HE LAID, DOWN HIS LIFE, FOR HIS FRIENDS" - John 15:13.... Remembering this young hero, on the anniversary of the day, he gave his life for our country with a multitude of thanks for his courage, service and dedication. Rest well and know, that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. From the sister of yet another Fallen, a Young Hero, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in Vietnam.... They shall not grow old, as we that are left, grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor do the years condemn them. At the going down, of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. "For the Fallen" September 1914 ~ R.L. Binyon ~ Jan 28, 2007.

Kimberly Kimmel-Ober. Admirer. Encinitas, California, United States, of America. For this soldier and all those who knew him and loved him, I just want to say, thank you, for your dedication and sacrifice! Please know that you have not been forgotten and always will hold a special place in my heart! It would have been nice to have known you, as a person and I greatly appreciate your service! I just wish you did not have to pay so high a price! You will always be a hero, in my eyes! Monday, January 28, 2012.