Oh, and a date. 09-30-68. That's the reason I chose this bracelet of all the ones on display at The Wall.
This wall.
On that date, I was a newlywed, a mere 16 day newlywed. My focus was on the future. When I chose the bracelet in 1996, my focus was on the sacrifice of someone I didn't even know. I couldn't help but wonder what he was doing the day I was married. Was it a normal day for him in Viet Nam, if there was any such thing? What was he thinking that Monday morning, September 30, 1968? And most of all, what happened to him?
On that date, Pilot Mountain School was going through a normal day of operation, a Monday when a new week presented hope and promise. Teachers taught lessons. Children learned lessons. These were ordinary life experiences made possible by veterans through the years who fought for our right to exist as a nation.
So today I celebrate the life and sacrifice of the man on my chosen bracelet. Missing. Not forgotten.
Domenick Anthony Spinelli
| ON THE WALL: | Panel W42 Line 51 |
| PERSONAL DATA: | |
| Home of Record | Oak Harbor, WA |
| Date of birth: | 11/06/1925 |
| MILITARY DATA: | |
| Service: | United States Navy |
| Grade at loss: | O3 |
| Rank/Rate: | Commander |
| Note: | Promoted while in MIA status |
| ID No: | 027145860 |
| MOS/RATING: | 1310: Unrestricted Line Officer (Pilot) |
| Length Service: | 34 |
| Unit: | VA-196, CVW-14, USS CONSTELLATION, TF 77, 7TH FLEET |
| CASUALTY DATA: | |
| Start Tour: | Not Recorded |
| Incident Date: | 09/30/1968 |
| Casualty Date: | 01/10/1978 |
| Age at Loss: | 52 (based on date declared dead) |
| Location: | Province not reported, North Vietnam |
| Remains: | Body not recovered |
| Casualty Type: | Hostile, died while missing |
| Casualty Reason: | Fixed Wing - Crew |
| Casualty Detail: | Air loss or crash over land This page Copyright© 1997-2013 www.VirtualWall.org |
Catch of the day,
Gretchen
