Dana Richard Kelley
Airman First Class
4TH AIR COMMANDO SQDN, 14TH AIR COMMANDO WING, 7TH AF
United States Air Force
San Carlos, California
January 17, 1942 to January 09, 1967
DANA R KELLEY is on the Wall at Panel 13E, Line 130

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16 Feb 2002

I miss you Daddy, you will always live on in my heart and as my Higher Power.

Your little girl,
Kellyjean
kj64hd@yahoo.com

 
28 Oct 2007

The Dragon's Flight

Flying through the night,
Setting the night ablaze,
To light their way.

Flying cover where needed,
Risking yourselves,
Trying to keep them safe.

The Great Dragon in the sly,
Soaring over,
Building their confidence.

With your mission done,
For those who couldn't,
You return home for them.

To make it worth it;
For you, for them,
We are all proud.

By Janet Baxter
Copyright ï¿ 1/2 2004

In honor of my dad, Jerry O. Baxter Sr., his AC-47 'Puff the Magic Dragon', 4th Air Commando Squadron, Vietnam 1966-1967; and for all who served, especially those that gave all.

In memory of
Dana R. Kelley
Airman 1st Class, USAF
1942 - 1967
Panel 13E, Line 130

Dana R. Kelley (Kelley, as dad refers to him) was my dad's close buddy in Vietnam in 1966-1967. They were both in the USAF 4th Air Commando Squadron working in AC-47 "Puff the Magic Dragon" gunships. Dana's plane was shot down and all on board were killed as a result of the massive fire from the flare box igniting. Thankfully my dad made it home, but has never forgotten his friend throughout the years.

I wrote this poem for my dad and his crew, in honor of what they did for all of us and the sacrifices, like Kelley, that were made in Vietnam by thousands of true American heroes.

From the daughter of a comrade, Jerry O. Baxter Sr.,
Janet Baxter
jlbaxter71@yahoo.com


 

A Note from The Virtual Wall

Seven men of the 4th Air Commando Squadron died when their AC-47 gunship was shot down near Duc Pho in Quang Ngai Province:
  • Major Joseph E. Wilkinson, Selma, AL, navigator
  • Capt Charles W. Robertson, Malden, MA, pilot
  • 1stLt James D. Goodman, Little Rock, AR, copilot
  • SSgt Raymond Medina, San Antonio, TX, loadmaster
  • SSgt Cecil T. Thompson, Sebatha, KS, flight mechanic
  • A1C Dana R. Kelley, San Carlos, CA, aerial gunner
  • A2C Lonny L. Mitzel, Red Lion, PA, aerial gunner (606th ACS, TDY to 4th ACS)

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