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Dale Wayne Farris
Staff Sergeant
377TH AIR BASE WING, 7TH AF United States Air Force Odessa, Texas October 18, 1946 to March 31, 1972 DALE W FARRIS is on the Wall at Panel W2, Line 126 |
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I was out of the Army in 1970, had done my Vietnam tour in 1968-69. I was in my senior year in college when Dale was killed in Vietnam. Dale and I graduated the same year, yet from different high schools in Odessa, Dale at Permian, Class of 65, and I at Odessa High, Class of 65. I had not known Dale that well, I knew who he was. As I remember he was a great guy. Dale was one of six in his class at Permian to die in Vietnam. The others were Bobby L. Eaton, USMC; Paul Larremore, U.S. Navy; Mike Gladden, U.S. Army (Airborne); John Neary, U.S. Air Force; and Marvin Rex Young, U.S.Army, Medal of Honor Recipient.
Billy M. Brown |
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I was at Phu Cat Air Base in Binh Dinh province the day Dale was fatally injured. We were assigned to the 377th Air Base Wing at Tan Son Nhut (Saigon), but were physically assigned to the Air Force Advisory Team at Phu Cat. Dale was killed on Good Friday 1972. This rocket attack along with others in country signified the start of the 1972 "Eastertide Offensive".
From someone stationed with Dale at Phu Cat, |
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I was married to Dale for six years. We were high school sweethearts and the day I married him was the best day of my life. When he went into the Air Force, he volunteered for Vietnam because he was very patriotic. He was not sent there for his first four year tour of duty. During that time, we had two sons, Darren and Damon. He re-enlisted in 1971 and was almost immediately assigned to Vietnam. At that point, I did not want him to go, but he didn't try to get out of it. So when my oldest son was four and our baby was eighteen months old, he gave his life for his country. Regardless of how one might feel about the war itself, we cannot help but be proud of those who loved their country so well and were willing to show it by their actions. I am proud of him, but to this day, the pain of losing him continues. I am a Christian, having put my faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross, and Dale was a believer, also. So I will see him again someday; that comforts me. I long for the peace that will come when Jesus returns to establish His everlasting kingdom; death will no more have dominion over the living and the pain I suffer will become a thing of the past. The joy that is mine because of my relationship with Jesus sustains me when, even after thirty-two years, I cry again for the loss of the most wonderful husband and friend a person could have. I was privileged to know him. If anyone has a remembrance of Dale that I could share with my sons, please let me know; I would appreciate it.
Donna Cecile Mitchum (Farris) |
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