The following is an edited excerpt of the life narrative that will be read during the 2025 Gold Star Hall Ceremony.
U.S. Marines Corps Cap. David Myers was 30 years old when he went on his final mission on Nov. 20, 1968, in Quang Nam, Vietnam. He was on a helicopter mission to land assault troops for Operation Meade River, a cordon and search operation.
Following the mission, he expected to finish with his combat duties in Vietnam and return home to be with his wife and four children by Christmas.
Myers was one of nearly 50 CH-46 helicopters on the mission that day when almost all of them were hit by enemy fire. Myers' helicopter was shot down on Hill 55. While some of the soldiers survived, five died in the crash, including Myers, and 108 Marines lost their lives.
A strong foundation
Myers was the youngest of three children and grew up in Albion, Neb., where his parents owned a store. He was known to be a "mischievous rascal" growing up and was teased by his sister who called him, "Davy dimples."
In high school, he was at the top of his class. He played multiple sports, lettered on the football team and was known to hike, hunt and fish in his spare time. He had a charming personality, many friends and married his high school sweetheart, Janelle, after graduation in 1956.
He also attended Congregational Church where he attended Sunday school, sang in the choir, was a member of State Pilgrim Fellowship and an officer of the local district.
Myers pursued his passion for the outdoors and earned a degree in fish and wildlife management from Iowa State University in 1961. During his time at Iowa State, he was a member of the Navy ROTC. He was always known to be patriotic and was an exceptional natural leader.
Answering the call
After graduation, Myers joined the U.S. Marine Corps and moved to Quantico, Va., where he was commissioned a second lieutenant. The couple had four children - Christine, Vicky, David and Tracey. He attended embarkation school, served a period in the Mediterranean area and was promoted to first lieutenant in 1963 after the Cuban Missile Crisis.
In 1964, Myers' duties in the service had come to an end and he and his family moved back home to Albion, where he followed in his parent's footsteps and became a successful entrepreneur and owner of two businesses.
Myers answered another call for the U.S. military in 1967 when he was sought out by the Marines to return to active duty. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California before he was deployed to Okinawa, Japan, until 1968, when he was transferred to Vietnam, where he served as a captain and an officer in K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
Letters of love
Throughout his years of service, Myers was a prolific letter-writer. He wrote letters to his wife, his family, his mother and grandmother. His oldest daughter, Christine, is the keeper of many of these letters that are addressed to "Dearest Janelle," "My Dearest Darling" and "My Dear Family."
He sent birthday cards, holiday cards and letters inquiring about his children's time at camp, sharing his pride for them and encouraging them to apply themselves in school. He discussed his life overseas with a sense of duty - but also a longing to be at home, too. He ended his letters with "All my love," "Your loving father" and "All my love to my wife and children."
Myers received a Purple Heart for his bravery, along with a Combat Action Ribbon, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and Vietnam Gallantry Cross for his years of service and dedication. His name is on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
