29-03-2025
Local Vietnam War veteran receives special honor
CLEVELAND (WJW) – On May 7, 1970, Private First Class Kenneth J. David of the 101st Airborne became a hero.
However, David said he's not. That honor truly belongs to the friends who never came home.
'Honor the memory of my buddies who gave their all on May 7, 1970, with Delta Company 1st of the 506 Infantry,' David said.
Those seven friends can be found on panel 11 west, lines 121 to 128 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.
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David always tells people that because, he said, they can never be forgotten for their sacrifice, and he lives every day to honor them.
He said he was just lucky that day, but on May 7, David fought off waves of north Vietnamese soldiers and drew their fire to protect the wounded, even though he was wounded himself.
He was originally awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, but through the efforts of other veterans in Trumbull County, that medal was upgraded.
'He pursued it and 15 years through the Pentagon and two years sitting on President Joe's desk and before Joe got out, I was presented with it on Jan. 3 of this year,' he said.
Almost 55 years after that fateful day, President Biden presented David with the Congressional Medal of Honor as one of his last official acts.
David said the honors that have come his way since are a bit overwhelming, including the latest. His name was added to the Cleveland VA's Wall of Valor.
Since his service, David has been active in veterans' groups and devoted his time to other veterans, directing them to services and just being there to talk.
'A lot of soldiers will call me to chit chat because they got problems. I don't' know their names, we just have coffee, I tell them my story, they tell me their story,' he said. 'They'll talk to a veteran before they talk to a doctor or someone else.'
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Vietnam War Veterans Day marks the day the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam in 1973, but the memories of that war still serve as a reminder to David and all those who served to honor each other and honor those they left behind.
'The three of us who made it out get together at least once a year to remember our battle buddies and to think over what went on and thank ourselves that we're still alive to grow old and grey,' David said.
He has been very active in Veterans Affairs for years in Trumbull County, working with disabled American veterans.
He said he's also the guy you call when you are having a tough day and just need another veteran to talk to.
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