Jerry Don BasdenSpecialist Four98TH QM BN, USA SPT CMD QNH Army of the United States 18 August 1945 - 05 November 1965 Dumas, Texas Panel 03E Line 021 |
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The database page for Jerry Don Basden
NEVER FORGOTTENJerry died while making a parachute jump at 3800 feet at Qui Nhon, South Viet Nam. The Army said he died by drowning but in truth he was dead before he hit the water. Jerry was the last out of the helicopter and his static line was under his arm when his chute opened. The line severed his jugular. The jumpmaster failed to check his line. His chute did open and he landed in the South China Sea.
A memorial from his brother, |
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It is good to see the name and face of the young man who jumped that day. I was on the beach and saw it happen. We watched men jump from the chopper, and then one got hung up. They tried to free him, but when he fell, the wind just carried him farther from shore. The rescue boat was at his side in record time, but he didn't survive. It is no comfort to know that he was dead on the way down. He was one of us, a young man serving his country. I was in the 629th Ordnance Company, and we arrived in Qui Nhon on September 1. We became part of the 98th QM Battalion as part of the Support Command. Each year, we get together in reunion. We met on June 2 in Council Bluufs, Iowa. Next year, I will bring Jerry Basden's information to the group. He will be remembered.
Don Lucy |
A Note from The Virtual WallThe 98th Quartermaster Battalion arrived in Vietnam on 10 Sep 1965 and was tasked with operating the Qui Nhon Support Command Depot. In July 1966 the unit was redesignated the 98th Supply & Service Battalion. |
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is his brother, Darrell Basden 5242 Hester Rd, Amarillo, Texas 79124 dargerbas@msn.com |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 12 Feb 2001
Last updated 01/29/2008