03 Feb 2006 David Overstreet was a native of Abernathy, Texas. His father was a cotton farmer. His mother died when he was young and the family moved to San Angelo, Texas. David took over the task of overseeing his younger siblings. He attended San Angelo schools. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1967 and was trained as a Corpsman. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines in Vietnam. On the day of his death, when his unit was ambushed and under intense fire he attempted to tend to a wounded marine. Realizing the gravity of his actions, he chose to rise up on his knees in order to proper give aid, exposing himself to fire. He was cut down by small arms fire. He was buried with full military honors in the IOOF Cemetery in Abernathy, Texas. He is remembered on the Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans' Memorial From a PBVVM representative, Billy M. Brown 12 Sep 2006 David was a 1965 graduate of Abernathy High School, Abernathy, Texas. Abernathy is 35 miles due north of Lubbock, Texas. He attended San Angelo State University in San Angelo as a freshman. His family had moved to Eldorado, Texas after he graduated. Eldorado is about 45 miles due south of San Angelo. David is buried in Abernathy, Texas. His father remarried and passed away in 1987 while living in Eldorado. He is buried next to his first wife in Abernathy. The picture is courtesy of Jane Davis, President, the Ex-Student's Association, Abernathy, Texas, From a PBVVM representative, Billy M. Brown 4015 Melody Lane bmbrown@grandecom.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall From the 1/4 Marines Operations Log for 23 March 1969: "231415 - Co "D" at grid XD676579 found 5 graves with 3 markers, proceded to check out area and was taken under fire by 7 NVA. Pulled back and fired 60mm, 81mm, 105, and 106 and had 2 air strikes. Had 3 friendly KIA and 4 friendly WIAs and 3 confirmed NVA and 4 probables." "231720 - Co "C" at grid XD677575 went to retrieve 1 friendly KIA [from Co "D"] after air strike was run. Taken under fire by enemy sniper, snipers located in bunkers. Commenced search and clear, resulting in 6 enemy bunkers destroyed. KIA retrieved and Co "C" pulled back and called in air. Results 3 friendly WIA minor and 5 enemy KIAs confirmed." The three men killed in the engagement at 1415 (2:15 PM) were HM3 David D. Overstreet, San Angelo, TX; LCpl Steve E. Byars, Lorida, FL; and Pfc Norman E. Beck, Rockford, IL. "You guys are the Marine's doctors - There's none better in the business than a Navy Corpsman ..." -- Lieutenant General "Chesty" Puller -- Visit John Dennison's Medics on the Wall memorial which honors the Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen who died in Vietnam.

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