David L. Tiffany
Specialist Five
HHC, 5TH BN, 60TH INFANTRY, 9TH INF DIV, USARV Army of the United States Riverside, California July 24, 1949 to May 28, 1969 DAVID L TIFFANY is on the Wall at Panel W23, Line 12 |
|
|
15 Nov 2003 After a hand shake and a smile that was my introduction to you and Recon I followed you into combat. There was that danger about you that made me feel safe just knowing you were on point.
To this day, buddy, there is this danger about me.
I watched.
But if you're listening I got good news!
From a comrade in arms, |
Dave replaced me in the platoon.
Mac MacKechnie |
WE PROUDLY SERVED TOGETHER IN VIETNAM I had the honor of serving with Doc Tiffany in Alpha Company, 5th Bn, 60th Infantry, at Rach Kien, Vietnam during 1968-69. Doc was a part of our Captain Alan Anderson's command group. Our Alpha Company was more like a BAND OF BROTHERS than just a group of soldiers. Under Capt. Anderson's leadership and with highly motivated "go to" support leaders like Doc Tiffany, our company was among the most effective fighting units in Vietnam. My job as a Platoon Sergeant was made more manageable with special people like David always there boosting the morale of the men. He challenged them to do their very best and he set the example of how this was to be achieved. Doc joined a newly formed Recon Platoon in Echo Company along with several other brave men from around the Battalion. We missed having Doc Tiffany in Alpha Co., but we knew he was pursuing his dream of being part of "the Best of the Best". On that tragic 28 May 69 day when Recon lost its command group to enemy fire, the entire Battalion was in tears. Doc Tiffany perished attempting to save his fellow Nam Brothers' lives. I still get emotional thinking about how lucky I was to have known Doc and to have shared part of our lives together. He is, without a doubt, an American HERO. We love you Doc. We will remain "NAM BROTHERS FOREVER".
Barney Tharp |
David was the fourth of five children. Our next-door neighbors, the Hudsons, had six children; their fifth was named Dennis and he and David were buddies. Both enlisted in the Army and trained as medics. David went to Vietnam and Dennis followed shortly thereafter. David was killed on May 28th, 1969 and Dennis was died five months later on October 23, 1969. They are neighbors still today, with their final resting places a few feet apart in Riverside's Crestlawn Memorial Cemetery in the Military section. We love both David and Dennis Hudson and will never forget them or their brave determination to serve their fellow soldiers. You each gave your life for freedom, and you each are remembered!
Placed by David's sister, |
David's name is inscribed on the California Viet Nam Veteran's Memorial at the state capitol in Sacramento.
Sincerely, |
I was lucky and blessed to have served with one of the bravest men I have ever known. You will always be in my thoughts and dreams and most importantly prayers. I love you, Doc, and we will be brothers forever. I can say a lot more but you would not want it that way. Always thinking of us, never yourself. Remember, Doc, {only the good die young}.
From a combat friend, |
Notes from The Virtual WallThe photograph at the top of the poem "To David, My Son" comes from "Vietnam: One Week's Dead", LIFE Magazine, Vol. 66, No. 25, June 27, 1969, and shows SP5 Tiffany wearing the Silver Star ... presumably the photo was taken at the awards ceremony. His Distinguished Service Cross was awarded for his actions during the fight in which he died.As noted above, SP5 Tiffany was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry, but he was in the field with E Company, 5/60th Inf, at the time of his death. Five men died in the engagement:
Medics on the Wall memorial which honors the Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen who died in Vietnam. |
Contact Us | © Copyright 1997-2019 www.VirtualWall.org, Ltd ®(TM) | Last update 08/15/2019. |