David Leonard Ugland

West Point, 1964

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jack Price on August 20, 1999:

For as big as our class was, it seemed we should have had more classmates there in 65, with the 173rd Airborne. I came in through replacement channnels and soon met Dave and Claire Thurston, who were blooded warriors by this time. We were the same, and yet so different. Soon enough, I joined them. It was a strange time. We had a base camp north of Saigon with lots of creature comforts, Officer's Clubs, and hired help. But on a 'work day', we'd head for the choppers and go fight. The day Dave was killed, the landing zones were close by, but so restricted, we used only his battalion. It was decided not to commit my battalion, standing in reserve, but to extract Dave and Clair's. Then we heard they had been killed. We stood by, with nothing to do but listen to the radio traffic and watch the DustOff choppers land. Dave was tested as many others who wore cadet gray have been. He was a fine soldier, a loyal classmate, and a credit to us all. Well done! Jack Price

admin