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David A. Christian

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David A. Christian is an Author, War Hero, Statesman, Father, Businessman, Veteran's Activist, Journalist and Diplomat just to name a few areas that establish his "quilt of life". David authored an autobiography titled "Victor Six" and has a number of pending book publications that deal with personal expierences from the Fall of the Soviet Empire, Chechnya and today's Cambodia. The site http://www.davechristian.com/gives a deeper look into the life of a modern day romantic.

David A. Christian (born October 1948), at 17 enlisted as a private E-1 and rose to E-5 before historically becoming the "Youngest Most Decorated American officer in the Vietnam War". The Department of Defense can find no other commissioned officer at 18 years of age that went on to receive a nomination for the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, 2 Silver Stars, the Air Medal for 25 combat assaults into a "Hot Landing Zone"; and the Bronze Star. At 20 he went on to the rank of Captain and to be medically retired for wounds received in combat at age 21. Christian lead a reconnaissance platoon that gained the nickname "Christian's Butchers" for their success in combat, although reconnaissance is not ordinarily associated with direct action toward an enemy. Christian's Special Forces training combined with his Long Range Recon Patrol (LRRP) training and combat experience with Company F 1/52 Infantry (LRRP) of the First Infantry Division ("Big Red One") reportedly developed Recon's success by becoming guerrilla warriors. When Recon's mission in combat intelligence gathering and confirming (often behind enemy lines) was compromised by the enemy then the Recon team was able to effectively survive the enemy because of their tactics taught by Christian. Christian's service in Vietnam ended when he was severely burned by napalm. Thirty-three surgeries were required to repair the damages of war sustained by Christian. He also sustained knife, gunshot, rocket propelled grenade explosions and other serious injuries. An Army Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) ruled that he should be retired for wounds received in combat. The Veteran's Administration, Social Security Administration and the Department of Defense rated him 100 percent disabled. David A. Christian was "the U.S. Army's Youngest Most Decorated Commissioned Officer in the Vietnam War", attaining the rank of Captain at the age of twenty. In the next seven years of his life he was to see over 33 surgical operations for the wounds he received in Vietnam. References to David A. Christian's service and sacrifice to his country can be found in TV documentaries and the most important references from those that served with him in combat can be found on the web page http://www.davechristian.com/. Captain David Christian went on to be the "Youngest National Commander of the Legion of Valor" at 28 years of age. Note: This is a Congressionally Chartered Veteran's Organization whose membership requires receipt of either the Medal of Honor or the Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross or Air Force Cross. See web page for Legion of Valor. (The DSC citation establishes that Christian was wounded severely 2 x's during that 4 hour plus battle which was one of Recon's many battles.) General William Westmoreland, General Alexander Haig, General Creighton W. Abrams and George S. Patton (Commander of 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment) all have paid tribute to Christian's service in combat and service to the Veterans. Christian's mother and father served honorably in combat zones in World War II and they met in the South Pacific. His two brothers Douglas and Daniel Christian are both Disabled American Veterans of Vietnam. His son served honorably during Operation Desert Storm. Therefore it seemed natural after returning home from the war and military hospitals that Christian became a Veteran's activist and fought for Veteran's Rights from the State House to the White House to the Halls of Congress. It should be noted that Pennsylvania became the only state to comply with U.S. Veteran's Employment regulations and White House mandates with the establishment of the "Governor's Veteran Outreach Centers" that helped tens of thousands of veterans with disability claims and Federal/State and private sector employment. Christian wrote the Pennsylvania State programs and educated then, Governor Dick Thornburgh, and the Secretary of Labor on the needs of this program. (This program was shepherded and fathered by the energies of David A. Christian). Christian gave the final speech dedicating the Vietnam Memorial. There is also a published book by McGraw Hill and Simon and Schuster called Victor Six about the many exploits of Mr. Christian. You can contact David A. Christian or the men that served with him in combat via the testimonials on the web page http://www.davechristian.com/.

Awards

  • Seven Purple Hearts
  • Distinguished Service Cross, United States, Distinguished Service Cross, Americas 2nd highest award in Combat for valor
  • Two Silver Stars America's 3rd highest award for Valor in Combat
  • Bronze Star Medal, Bronze Star
  • Twice nominated for the Medal of Honor
  • Combat Infantryman Badge
  • Air Medal (for 25 combat assaults from a helicopter)
  • Two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry, Vietnam's second highest military honor
  • Numerous other awards for valor and honor as a teenage commisioned officer

Media and Testimonials-

Politics-

DAC Consulting Firm-

Other-

Quotes on Christian

  • "He can truly be regarded as the Sylvester Stallone of the Vietnam War." --Award winning photographer Philip Jones Griffiths, from his recent book Vietnam at Peace
  • "David Christian embodies the spirit of the American fighting man on the battlefield." --John Kerry|United States Sen. John Kerry ;Massachusetts|Mass.)
  • "He (David Christian) was America's greatest soldier during the Vietnam War. He is truly a one of a kind. It was a great honor to serve with him." --Butcher Tommy Milam (Monroe, Lousiana)

David Christian saved my life and has in many ways acted as a father to me. I can't respect him enough for his bravery, kindness, wit and larger than life aura. I consider myself extremely lucky to be his friend." '--Artist Paul Gray (Dayton, Ohio)

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