Charles Alva Dale

The database page for Charles Alva Dale

04 Feb 2003 I have "adopted" Charles Alva Dale in remembrance of his service to our country. Please join me in not only remembering Charles Alva Dale, but also in continuing to make sure that our government is doing everything that can be done to account for each of our missing and unaccounted for soldiers, and to bring them all home. Deb Strange dastrange@worldnet.att.net

30 May 2005 I bought your bracelet on my first trip to D.C. My mother and father are veterans. My grandfather, 3 great uncles and all of my uncles are veterans. I think of you and tell everyone I know about you, even though I know so little. I think of you and your family and keep all of you in my prayers. Jeanie Zamarripa 2465 NW Raleigh Apt 104, Portland Or 97210 jeaniez@onebox.com

10 Aug 2005 I have been wearing Charles' bracelet since 1994; I have rubbings of his name from the Wall. In the recent news of (08/10/2005) about found, fallen Soldiers and Marines, I was hoping to see Charles' name listed. I have not forgotten, and I will remain vigilant. Dave Baarlaer Cincinnati, Oh dcblawdog@yahoo.com

05 Nov 2006 I wear my bracelet with pride. As a native Arizonian I will help continue to remember those who we have lost and keep all memories alive. Whenever I need strength to carry on I look down at my wrist and remember what Charles sacrificed to keep me safe. I will always remember. E-Mail will be forwarded by the Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

Notes from The Virtual Wall While the circumstances of Major Dale's loss are known, there are conflicting accounts with respect to what happened to him after his aircraft went down. 1st Lt Dale and sensor operator SP4 David S. Demmon departed Vung Tau airfield at about 0315 09 Jun 65 in OV-1C tail number 61-2687. During the flight, 1LT Dale reported difficulties with his communications system; radio contact was lost, then regained with Saigon radar control at 0449 hours. At about 0445 the aircraft returned overhead Vung Tau for a navigational system update and then reported departing Vung Tau for a second mission area in Vinh Binh Province. There were no further communications between the aircraft and ground controllers. At 0717 hours, when the aircraft's fuel supply would have been exhausted, the aircraft was declared overdue and aerial search and rescue (SAR) operations were initiated, concentrating on an area within the U Minh forest south-southwest of Saigon. At this point the conflicts begin: The POW Network report says that "Search and rescue forces sighted two men wading out of the water and the Viet Cong capturing them, but positive identification was prevented by weather." Task Force Omega says that "SAR efforts failed to find any sign of the Mohawk or its crew." and cites a March 1992 Joint Task Force for Full Accounting report that local villagers recovered and buried the bodies of both crewmen. The National Army Security Agency Association memorial includes the notation that "On 9 June 1965, OV-1C, 61-2687 crashed due to mechanical problems. The pilot died in the crash while the observer was taken prisoner by the Vietcong and died while a prisoner." Both Task Force Omega and the POW Network cite numerous reports over the years that Dale and/or Demmon were sighted alive well into the 1970's and perhaps as late as 1987. According to US Department of Defense records, including the current DoD PM-SEA database, Staff Sergeant Demmon was carried as a Prisoner of War until the the Secretary of the Army approved a Presumptive Finding of Death on 08 Feb 1978. Major Dale was never classed as a prisoner but was carried in MIA status until the Secretary of the Army approved a Presumptive Finding of Death 6 Dec 1978. Additional, although at times conflicting, information is available in the POW Network and Task Force Omega biographies.

The point-of-contact for this memorial is one who remembers, Deb Strange dastrange@worldnet.att.net

Top of Page www.VirtualWall.org Back to To alpha index D AZ State Index . Panel 02E 73RD AVN CO Index Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 4 Feb 2003
Last updated 11/19/2006