ARCHBOLD WEATHER

David Aeschliman, Archbold’s Only Vietnam War Casualty, Wanted To Fly




David Aeschliman

David Aeschliman

David Aeschliman wanted to fly.

After graduating from Archbold High School in 1967, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

The Army taught him to fly helicopters.

In the summer of 1970, David, a chief warrant officer, began flying scout helicopters in what was then South Vietnam.

He was 20 years old.

Happy, Fun

David’s sister, Cindy Winzeler, remembers her younger brother as a happy, fun guy, part of a group of five friends– with Lenny Miller, Chuck Mignin, Frank Grime, and Tom Winzeler– that spent much of their time together.

Lenny remembers there were 85 graduates that year.

Of those, 15– all young men, including all of the five friends– joined the armed forces.

Lenny became a United States Marine.

At least three found themselves in Vietnam.

Cindy said after flight school, David was sent to West Germany, where his post was two hours away from his older brother Terry, who was also in the Army.

These are the medals, and ribbons representing medals, that were issued to David Aeschliman for his service in Vietnam. From left: the Purple Heart (he received two), the ribbon representing the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the ribbon representing the Air Medal. In the blue box at right, from the top: The ribbon representing the National Defense Service Medal, the ribbon for the Vietnam Service Medal, and the ribbon for the Good Conduct medal.- photo by David Pugh

These are the medals, and ribbons representing medals, that were issued to David Aeschliman for his service in Vietnam. From left: the Purple Heart (he received two), the ribbon representing the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the ribbon representing the Air Medal. In the blue box at right, from the top: The ribbon representing the National Defense Service Medal, the ribbon for the Vietnam Service Medal, and the ribbon for the Good Conduct medal.- photo by David Pugh

“They got to see each other quite a bit,” Cindy said.

After about eight months in Germany, Cindy remembered David got orders to go to Vietnam.

She remembered he wanted to go there and fly.

Cindy said her father, Wilber “Bill” Aeschliman, “didn’t want him to go. My oldest brother, Terry, was already overseas, and my dad had spent four years in (the Army) in World War II.”

KIA

Roughly two years and eight months after his AHS graduation, on Jan. 12, 1970, David was flying in Long An province, near the southern tip of Vietnam.

It was a Monday, 50 years ago.

The citation that came with the Distinguished Flying Cross he received states he was flying a reconnaissance mission when he spotted several enemy bunkers.

He made a number of lowlevel passes by the bunkers in an attempt to draw out enemy soldiers.

The citation says, “He spotted enemy soldiers attempting to evade the area.”

This bronze plaque describing David Aeschliman’s military career is part of the memorial to him located in Memorial Park, Archbold.– photo by David Pugh

This bronze plaque describing David Aeschliman’s military career is part of the memorial to him located in Memorial Park, Archbold.– photo by David Pugh

David attempted to engage these enemy soldiers, but his helicopter was struck by “extremely heavy” enemy fire.

He crashed near friendly troops.

Wounded, David was pulled from the wreckage.

He died four days later.

By this point, Cindy had married Jerry Winzeler. They were living on a farm outside Archbold.

“My cousin, Max Aeschliman, called me and said he (David) had passed. I was home alone,” she said.

“Jerry’s family, his dad, had just bought the farm that day, so they were all celebrating.

“And then Jerry’s brother Tom left for ‘Nam.”

Community Support

Cindy said there was community support for her family.

“They were very concerned because they all loved him,” Cindy said.

When the Army returned David’s remains, “they had a military person from Kentucky bring him home. He was with the casket the whole time,” she said.

This plaque, part of the David Aeschliman memorial, honors Archbold men who were killed in World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam.– photo by David Pugh

This plaque, part of the David Aeschliman memorial, honors Archbold men who were killed in World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam.– photo by David Pugh

Two hundred to 300 people attended David’s funeral.

Archbold’s only Vietnam war loss, David Aeschliman was one of 6,173 U.S. servicemen who died in Vietnam in 1970, one of more than 58,000 who died during the course of the war, and one of 3,094 from Ohio who lost their lives.

Today, in Memorial Park, stands a monument to David and others who died in the service of their country.

His name also appears on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, “The Wall,” located in Washington, D.C.

Medals

He received several medals for his service, including two Purple Hearts and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The citation that came with his Distinguished Flying Cross reads, “For heroism while participating in aerial flight, evidenced of the voluntary actions above and beyond the call of duty…

“Due to his extraordinary heroism, numerous enemy bunkers were discovered and several American lives were spared.

“His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”