David Eugene Padgett

The database page for David Eugene Padgett

26 Aug 2004 I have a POW/MIA bracelet for David Eugene Padgett. In November, 2002, Major Padgett and the 282nd Aviation Company "499" crew were finally brought home and rest in Arlington Cemetery. Their sacrifice has not been forgotten. I didn't know David, but I am proud to honor him and feel a great loss. LET THERE BE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. Sharyn Rossi California E-mail address is not available.

04 Jul 2006 REMEMBERED by a friend who wears his MIA bracelet. thomas.e.fisher@us.army.mil

A note from The Virtual Wall On 06 February 1969 a UH-1H (serial #67-17499) of the 282nd Assault Helicopter Company was conducting a resupply mission in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. Aboard the aircraft were 1Lt. David E. Padgett, aircraft commander; CW2 Charles I. Stanley, copilot; SP5 Robert C. O'Hara, crew chief; PFC Eugene F. Christiansen, door gunner; LtCol. Donald E. Parsons, MACV Advisory Team 4, passenger; 1Lt Ronald D. Briggs, MACV Advisory Team 4, passenger; and Maj. Vu Vanh Phao, ARVN, passenger. At about 1100 hours, while enroute from Landing Zone Vandergrift to LZ Tornado, 1Lt. Padget contacted the LZ Tornado radio operator and stated that due to poor weather conditions and poor visibility the flight was returning to LZ Vandergrift. At that time, the radio operator at LZ Tornado could hear the helicopter northeast of his location; it sounded as if the aircraft was heading in a northerly direction. When the aircraft failed to return to LZ Vandergrift, a coordinated search and rescue operation was initiated and continued for seven consecutive days, finding nothing. The seven men were classed as Missing in Action. As time passed, Presumptive Findings of Death were approved for the six Americans (Padgett on 15 Oct 1979). In the mid-90s, the aircraft wreckage was located and the site excavated. Human remains found during the site search were repatriated on 27 August 1996. Tentative identification of the six Americans was completed in the Oct/Dec 2000 time frame. PFC Eugene F. Christiansen's remains were buried at the Eagle Point National Cemetery in Eagle Point, Oregon, on 25 June 2002. The remains of the other six men were buried with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday, 08 November 2002.

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 26 Aug 2004
Last updated 08/10/2009