Waide, Donald Giles, SSG

This Military Service Page was created/owned by SGT Thomas Edward Soltis to remember Waide, Donald Giles, SSG.

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http://virtualwall.org/dw/WaideDG01a.htm
http://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/54013/DONALD-G-WAIDE

James  Crouch, [email protected], LRRP Team Member, 1005 Miehls Drive Carlsbad NM 88220 USA, Remember, Don, there is not a day that goes bye that I don't think of the day you were killed. I've tried to explain to my son what a Hero you are, but I can't get the words to explain exactly how I feel. I'm sorry I didn't do more to save your life. I carry this guilt daily, and hope someday we can meet again so I can personally apologize. You will live forever in my heart. I'm so very sorry. Oct 21, 2009

 

My memories of Don
Posted for: DONALD GILES WAIDE:
	Don and I served together in the 173rd Airborne Brigade's Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Platoon from the summer of 1967 to April of 1968. Don and I had been assigned to the Military Police Platoon of the 173rd Airborne Brigade prior to volunteering for the LRRP's. I was accepted into the LRRP Platoon in late June of 1967 and Don followed shortly thereafter. A total of five of us from the Military Police Platoon went to the LRRP's and three were subsequently killed in action. Don was an extremely close friend of mine; I served as his Assistant Team Leader for his team from December 1967 until I returned home in April of 1968. Don was an excellent Team Leader who possessed all the necessary skills to conduct the extremely dangerous long range reconnaissance patrols and return his team safely. He was aggressive in his patrols, yet he had the leadership qualities that instilled confidence in the patrol members. Don appeared totally at ease in the jungle environment, and always maintained a calming presence in tough situations. I never questioned his decisions or abilities. I left the LRRP Platoon in early April of 1968, returning home after a 3 year tour of duty with the Army. Don was looking forward to returning home within a few months after that, and the last letter I received from him before his death reflected his desires to return home. I was devastated to receive word from fellow platoon members that Don was killed in action on May 7, 1968. I still have guilt feelings that if I had still been with him this would not have happened. I think about him and the other members of the platoon who gave their lives often, and whenever I am in Washington, D. C. , I visit the memorial with their names. Don and I had planned to keep in touch after Vietnam, and I know that would have happened. He was a friend and fellow warrior I can not forget. I have numerous photographs of Don from our days together, and I still enjoy the memories, good and bad. I was never able to contact Don's family and express my sorry, nor attend his funeral, but Don will always be in my memories. Irvin W. Moran 11231 Turnley Lane Midlothian, Virginia 23113
Posted by: Irvin W. Moran Email: [email protected] Relationship: Fellow 173rd Veteran Thursday, November 4, 1999