In Loving Memory
Dale W. Dehnke
 Caption:
Dale Getting Started
LETTERS FROM SOG MEMBERS WHO KNEW AND SERVED WITH
DALE
From: Sergeant Major William "Billy" Waugh, Recon
Co, CCN
As for Dale Dehnke, I certainly did know Dale. As
a matter of fact, Dale was in the Recon Company, CCS
and in CCN where I was the SGM. Dale had done a wonderful
job in CCS and during mid 1970, and asked me if he
could come with me to CCN when we closed CCS. I jumped
at the chance to have Dale move up to CCN; however,
having worked the CCN area previously, I warned Dale
the North area was more difficult than CCS's area
of operations. Rescue was much slower, due to the
high and difficult terrain. Weather was worse, because
of the high altitudes, etc.
Of course I want Dale to come North, along with several
other CCS lads. He came, and did a great job up North.
Dale volunteered for the most difficult missions he
could possibly become a part of. He was made a Team
Leader, even though he was young, as his combat demeanor
was among the very best in CCN. I recall his approach
to missions was most professional in all of Recon
Company's 23 Teams. Dale was all business, and what
a loss, when Dale went down. I wish I could have rescued
Dale, but the distances to the teams were great, and
the weather was against us.
Doug, please tell your Dale's family that his namesake
died a very fine hero. Dale Dehnke was/is a true American
Hero, who will not be forgotten by those men who worked
with him and for Dale. His little people really loved
him, and as his SGM, I was always certain Dale would,
and did complete the job correctly. He killed his
share of NVA, and always came back from missions,
anxious to get out there on the trail again. Be proud
of Dale and take care.
From: Jim Butler, Cpt, Recon Co, CCN
Dear Doug, Dale was the best, the wildest, the bravest.
Cliff Newman, one of the survivors I talked about,
contacted me recently. Shortly, within a year or two,
Eldon will be getting out of the service, retiring
as a Brigadier General. We would like to go to Dale's
grave and say hello, but we will need to know where
it is. I was the XO of recon company, a Captain, as
well as a brother one-zero, the highest rank I ever
attained in the military. I wanted to put Dale in
for a direct commission, he wouldn't take it. I also
offered the same to Eldon, and after much argument
he did take it and is now a General. Eldon and I tried
to get the bosses to let us escort Dale home, but
they would not let us. I know the rest of the tragedy,
and often wondered whether our presence would have
helped. I am in contact with all the other guys and
at some time we would love to share with you why your
son carries one of the greatest names of any warrior
who served in MACVSOG CCN-RECON, Jim
From: William Deacy, 1-0, Recon Co, CCS & CCN
Dear Doug, I very much remember my friend and fellow
soldier, Dale Dehnke. We served together in Recon
Company at CCS. In July,1970, Dale, myself, and 15
other SF soldiers were sent to Danang, CCN, to participate
in recon missions in Laos and parts of North Vietnam.
These missions were of an extraordinarily hazardous
nature. You, Dale's family, and most anyone else,
could not be informed about the exact truth due to,
supposedly, "national security" considerations...
Be that as they'll have it, Dale did the most to make
his family and the people of the United States as
proud as they could be, ...I sincerely know that I
had the utmost of honors to have served with the caliber
of people as Dale Dehnke represented..I have spent
many a quiet moment thinking about Dale as well as
the other 13 soldiers that went with us to CCN that
were killed or missing in Laos. Of the 17 who went
there, only 4 returned to their families in the states.
I realize how fortunate I was. I do think about those
extremely brave friends quite often.......Doug, if
you think that I can be of assistance to you and/or
Dale's family,,,don't hesitate to let me know.. sincerely,
Bill Deacy
Next
|
