Hero's Welcome Home Honoring Captain David A. Christian

HERO’S WELCOME HOME HONORING CAPTAIN DAVID A. CHRISTIAN'S INDUCTION INTO NATIONAL MILITARY HSLL OF FAME
Tuesday, May 2, 2023
Master of Ceremonies
Col. John C. Church USMCR ( Ret.) MCJROTC Bensalem High School
Introductions and Welcome
Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo
Call of Colors............ Lt. James McGinty Bensalem Police
Pledge of Allegiance..........Joe Slemmer US Navy -Korean War Veteran
National Anthem .*Frank and Judy Cuda *Air Force Veteran St. Michael the Archangel Choir Director
Invocation.........Richard J. Viggiano, Sr. “ PA Chaplain of the Year 2022” US Air ForceVeteran VFW Post 6495
My Dad........................ Coleen Christian Prothonotary Bucks County, PA.
Bucks County Resolution Gene DiGirolamo Commissioner Bucks County, PA.
Bensalem Resolution Joseph Di Girolamo Mayor Bensalem Township
Benediction........Richard J. Viggiano, Sr. Retirement of Colors
Captain David Alan Christian was commissioned as an Infantry Officer at 18 years of age. His first assignment was as the Intelligence/Combat Operations Officer, Company A, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. CPT Christian was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in Vietnam. Christian distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 October 1968 while in charge of the lead element of a recon-in-force mission ten miles northwest of Quan Loi. During an attempt to flank enemy positions, Christian's nine-man unit came under heavy rocket-propelled grenade, small arms and automatic weapons fire. After firing several light antitank weapons, he led an assault on the hostile strongholds, killing three North Vietnamese and causing others to flee. As he and his comrades advanced they again received intense small arms and machine gun fire and three men were wounded. Christian sent the casualties and the medic to the rear, and then led his troops forward until they became pinned down within 10 meters of a bunker. Disregarding his safety, he assaulted the fortification single-handedly and destroyed it with hand grenades. The communists were reinforced by approximately 30 men, forcing the reconnaissance team to take cover behind a berm. Despite the enemy's devastating fire superiority, Christian attacked them with 2 anti-tank weapons. He was seriously wounded, refused medical care and returned to the berm to direct artillery fire. When reinforcements arrived hours later, he directed them to cover his left flank while he attempted to evacuate his casualties. Although wounded again by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade, he did not permit himself to be treated until the other injured men had been evacuated. Christian's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army. His service as an officer, included Special Forces (Green Berets) , 2 tours in Vietnam leading the LRRP/Rangers and then Recon 1st InfantryHe returned for a 2nd tour, he incurred severe burns from Napalm, covering 40% of his body requiring 7 years of surgeries for recovery. .Following medical retirement, Christian continued his civilian education culminating in a Juris Doctorate at Rutgers University. He served as both National Commander and National Adjutant of the Legion of Valor, as well as founding United Vietnam Veterans Organization.His military education and training consists of: Infantry AIT, Infantry Officer Candidate School, Airborne School, and the United States Army Special Weapons School . .CPT Christian's military awards : Distinguished Service Cross, 2 Silver Stars , Bronze Star, Purple Hearts , Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge et al. Captain Christian and his wife, residents of Bucks County, have raised four children and have six grandchildren.