SP4 Danny Charles “Bo” Walter
1st Battalion (Mechanized), 50th Infantry
Binh Dinh Province
May 15, 1969 - February 23, 1970
He was stationed at Phan Thiet as part of the US Army Training Command (ARMOR) and was sent to Forward Operating Base "LZ UPLIFT" as part of the 1st Battalion of the 50th Mechanized Infantry Division. They were sent to LZ Uplift, which was in the Kontum Province that was under the command of the 173rd Airborne.
While at LZ Uplift, him and 2 guys were sent back to Phan Thiet to pick up LZ. The 2 officers went into a station while my father slept in the jeep. Three hours later he woke up to the officers driving in the latter part of dusk, which was apparently not supposed to happen.. Just over half-way, near Cam Ranh...they hit a mine and the jeep blew. He was choppered out to a hospital in Long Binh on 23 January 1970, then on to Tokyo and then to Walter Reed. He suffered a shatter ear drum, broken color bone etc.
With his injuries and the actions that all took place, his recollection of the events are very foggy. He has spent a lifetime wondering what happen that night. The warrant officer driving he has heard was killed, and the other he has heard he was killed and he also heard he lost his legs. He knows the one’s name was Izbell or Isbel, and he has never been able to find him on the Vietnam Wall.
He had two gentleman who, as he described, were like brothers to him, Buddy and Lindsey. I have search LONG hours for a Lindsey (assuming this is the last name) who served, and there I cannot find anyone matching his group with this name on the casualty list, which is a good sign. We have pictures of these gentleman and names listed above.
My father had no sons, only us girls (3.) He now has 3 grandsons, all named after him in some way. Since he was never given his belongings or his proper departure (awards, etc) we have arranged for a gentleman to serve his in January with his flag, awards, badges, and his purple heat he never realized he had. They have shadow boxed it and it lists everything he worked for and was never honored for.
However, those material things do not have a leg to stand on, if he still has such a wonder o his fellow men. I am so grateful for all of you men, and am so blessed to have my father as one if you. The things you have endured will never be understood by my generation or the future generations. Your acts of kindness and courage should be held with the utmost respect.
Anyone, with any information, great or small, names of others that may know, missing details, anything at all is gratefully appreciated. You would be amazed what little information can get me!
Thank you all, and I believe a good vet always says “welcome home!”
Jacci Piper
419-852-4877
jacciwalter@yahoo.com