When Dan was Killed in Vietnam, it touched me to my soul. I had great admiration for what he did and the great sacrifice he made that day he was taken from us. For those of you who have never visited the Virtual wall on the internet, you can go to www.virtualwall.org/dp/PrinceDD01a.htm and read a tribute to Dan and the men he died with on that day in Vietnam.
The tribute does not mention the fact that Dan was awarded the Bronze Star with the V for Valor Posthumously. The article in the Oxford Press as follows:
"For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force. Specialist Four Prince distinguished himself by heroism in action on 2 August 1966, while serving as a mortar forward observer with Co. A, Second Battalion, Seventh Calvary, during an air assault operation in Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam.
Specialist Four Prince was instrumental in defending his squad from an attack by elements of an estimated North Vietnamese Army Battalion, which was defending from well concealed and heavily fortified positions.
"When the enemy opened fire immediately after the last helicopter left the landing sone, Spec 4 Prince, exposing himself to the intense hostile fire, immediately assumed a good firing position and proceeded to deliver a heavy volume of effective fire into the enemy entrenchments.
Disregarding his own safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to observe enemy movements and maneuver against them. When the order was given for the platoon to withdraw to a more tenable position, Spec 4 Prince rose and began maneuvering to the designated area, all the while providing covering fire for the remainder of the platoon. It was during this action that he was mortally wounded by enemy fire."
I also found this clipping from the Oxford Press concerning Dan Prince.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Prince, Devonshire Drive, have been notified that their late son, has been awarded not only the Bronze Star Medal, but also the Oak Leaf Cluster, in recognition of earlier valor in which he was wounded in January, 1966. Specialist Prince, according to the report, on Jan. 28 had been instrumental in saving the life of a fellow soldier who had been wounded in action. "He exposed himself to intense enemy fire in order to help carry the wounded man across fifty meters of open rice paddy which was covered by an enemy automatic weapon." After having been wounded, Prince was returned to the United States for convalescence, and had only recently returned to Vietnam when he was killed in action on August 2."
Dan was a good man. We lost him too soon. We were in several classes together and I remember talking with him about the Army. He wanted to go into Special Forces if I recall. I seem to remember they would not let him in due to his young age. So, while he was waiting he went into the Infantry and was sent off to Viet Nam. You know the rest.
I also went into the Army at the end of 1966. In 1968 I was pulled out of my station in Africa and sent to Viet Nam. I spent my time up north near the DMZ. I thought alot about Dan. Some years later when in Washington DC I went over and visited "The Wall" not long after it was first put up. I had to go find Dan's name and touch it. I found it and for one last time connected with Dan.
We will all leave this earth someday, that is the nature of things. But Dan left it too soon. He had a bright future but he never got the chance to develop into the fine man he could have been. He was bright, positive, energetic. He was kind, thoughtful and full of life. His premature passing was, like so many others, a waste of a fine human being.
So, it was late August 1966 and we were at my house on Bonham Road. My parents were out of town and the “group” that used to hang together were at my house playing pool in the basement. Can’t remember all that were there except for Bob Hoelle, Dan Abney,Mark Mayer, and a few others. We had a lot of beer that night, but reflected on the death of Dan Prince. We decided that we would all enlist into the Armed forces to avenge his death. We were young and foolish but full of patriotism because of our upbringing. Enough said!
I too have thought about Dan Prince over the years. A bright, funny guy that made me laugh. We lost him all too soon. I saw his name on the traveling Viet Nam wall and cried a few tears. RIP, Dan. You are remebered and missed.
John, Thankyou for your post about Dan , and your remembrances. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news that one of our own had been killed. And that it was Dan, such a good guy, so well liked by all, made it even worse. He will always be remembered. And thanks to the rest of you who stood up and fought for us all and in his honor. I’m glad all of you made it back. And I’m glad we can connect with each other. God bless you. Drena
John Schumacher (1965)
When Dan was Killed in Vietnam, it touched me to my soul. I had great admiration for what he did and the great sacrifice he made that day he was taken from us. For those of you who have never visited the Virtual wall on the internet, you can go to www.virtualwall.org/dp/PrinceDD01a.htm and read a tribute to Dan and the men he died with on that day in Vietnam.
The tribute does not mention the fact that Dan was awarded the Bronze Star with the V for Valor Posthumously. The article in the Oxford Press as follows:
"For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force. Specialist Four Prince distinguished himself by heroism in action on 2 August 1966, while serving as a mortar forward observer with Co. A, Second Battalion, Seventh Calvary, during an air assault operation in Pleiku Province, Republic of Vietnam.
Specialist Four Prince was instrumental in defending his squad from an attack by elements of an estimated North Vietnamese Army Battalion, which was defending from well concealed and heavily fortified positions.
"When the enemy opened fire immediately after the last helicopter left the landing sone, Spec 4 Prince, exposing himself to the intense hostile fire, immediately assumed a good firing position and proceeded to deliver a heavy volume of effective fire into the enemy entrenchments.
Disregarding his own safety, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to observe enemy movements and maneuver against them. When the order was given for the platoon to withdraw to a more tenable position, Spec 4 Prince rose and began maneuvering to the designated area, all the while providing covering fire for the remainder of the platoon. It was during this action that he was mortally wounded by enemy fire."
John Schumacher (1965)
I also found this clipping from the Oxford Press concerning Dan Prince.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Prince, Devonshire Drive, have been notified that their late son, has been awarded not only the Bronze Star Medal, but also the Oak Leaf Cluster, in recognition of earlier valor in which he was wounded in January, 1966. Specialist Prince, according to the report, on Jan. 28 had been instrumental in saving the life of a fellow soldier who had been wounded in action. "He exposed himself to intense enemy fire in order to help carry the wounded man across fifty meters of open rice paddy which was covered by an enemy automatic weapon." After having been wounded, Prince was returned to the United States for convalescence, and had only recently returned to Vietnam when he was killed in action on August 2."
John Hatton (1965)
Dan was a good man. We lost him too soon. We were in several classes together and I remember talking with him about the Army. He wanted to go into Special Forces if I recall. I seem to remember they would not let him in due to his young age. So, while he was waiting he went into the Infantry and was sent off to Viet Nam. You know the rest.
I also went into the Army at the end of 1966. In 1968 I was pulled out of my station in Africa and sent to Viet Nam. I spent my time up north near the DMZ. I thought alot about Dan. Some years later when in Washington DC I went over and visited "The Wall" not long after it was first put up. I had to go find Dan's name and touch it. I found it and for one last time connected with Dan.
We will all leave this earth someday, that is the nature of things. But Dan left it too soon. He had a bright future but he never got the chance to develop into the fine man he could have been. He was bright, positive, energetic. He was kind, thoughtful and full of life. His premature passing was, like so many others, a waste of a fine human being.
I missed Dan and have never forgotten him.
John Schumacher (1965)
So, it was late August 1966 and we were at my house on Bonham Road. My parents were out of town and the “group” that used to hang together were at my house playing pool in the basement. Can’t remember all that were there except for Bob Hoelle, Dan Abney,Mark Mayer, and a few others. We had a lot of beer that night, but reflected on the death of Dan Prince. We decided that we would all enlist into the Armed forces to avenge his death. We were young and foolish but full of patriotism because of our upbringing. Enough said!
Brenda Frodge (Kohler) (1965)
I too have thought about Dan Prince over the years. A bright, funny guy that made me laugh. We lost him all too soon. I saw his name on the traveling Viet Nam wall and cried a few tears. RIP, Dan. You are remebered and missed.
Brenda Frodge Kohler
Drena Williams (Bowerman) (1965)
John, Thankyou for your post about Dan , and your remembrances. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news that one of our own had been killed. And that it was Dan, such a good guy, so well liked by all, made it even worse. He will always be remembered. And thanks to the rest of you who stood up and fought for us all and in his honor. I’m glad all of you made it back. And I’m glad we can connect with each other. God bless you. Drena