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Sen. James Webb (right) presents the Bronze Star |
By RUSTY DENNEN
From January 1970 to January 1971, Phillip O'Donnell was an Army assault helicopter pilot in Vietnam.
On one of his many missions that year--under fire--he and his crew dropped ammunition and medical supplies at night to troops fighting the North Vietnamese in the Mekong Delta.
With the drop, the GIs were able to hold out until daylight. On board with O'Donnell that night were a co-pilot, a door-gunner and crew chief.
Now 69 and living in Stafford County, O'Donnell had one piece of unfinished business from that chapter in his life. He was awarded a Bronze Star for meritorious service, but never got it due to an administrative oversight.
On Friday, he received the medal in a ceremony at Virginia Sen. Jim Webb's office.
"I knew it had been authorized back in 1970, but I transferred out of the unit before it was ever awarded," O'Donnell said yesterday.
He served 21/2 tours in Vietnam as a pilot, earning 11 air medals and a Purple Heart with the 336th Aviation Company. He arrived in Southeast Asia in 1969, ending his last tour in 1972. He was a Marine for 10 years prior to joining the Army to attend helicopter school.
Before that, O'Donnell traveled the world with his family, performers with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. Born in Allentown, Pa., he joined the Marines at age 17.
After his military service, "I'd been trying for years to get [the medal], but I couldn't get to the right people," he said.
Now there is more urgency: He's been diagnosed with lung cancer. He and his wife, Monica, have a 4-year-old son, Anthony.
"He's an absolute keeper. He's my best friend," O'Donnell said yesterday of his son.
About a month ago, O'Donnell called a staffer in Webb's office.
"They pulled out all the stops" to get the medal to him, he said.
Webb, a Democrat, served with the 5th Marine Regiment in Vietnam, earning two Bronze Stars, a Navy Cross, Silver Star and two Purple Hearts. He serves on the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees.
"I am honored to present the Bronze Star medal to Warrant Officer O'Donnell for his service to our country," Webb said at the ceremony.
"Speaking as a Marine combat veteran of Vietnam, this long-awaited award for his meritorious service is well-deserved."
Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
Email: rdennen@freelancestar.com
