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ADOPTED POW/MIA

ADOPTED POW/MIA

SSGT. DAVID ARTHUR DAVIDSON

US ARMY SPECIAL FORCES
UNIT: MACV-SOG CC NORTH; 5TH SPECIAL FORCE GROUP
DOB: 3/8/1947 (WASHINGTON,DC )
HOME CITY OF RECORD: EAST RIVERSIDE, MD
DATE OF LOSS: 10/5/1970
COUNTRY OF LOSS: LAOS
LOSS COORINATES: 161126N 1070527E (YC227912)
STATUS: KILLED/BODY NEVER RECOVERED
OTHER PERSONNEL IN INCIDENT: FRED A. GASSMAN

MAY THEY NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

SYNOPSIS: In Vietnam, SSgt.David A. Davidson was assigned to Command and Control North,MACV-SOG(Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observation Group). MACV-SOG was a joint service high command unconventional warfare task force engaged in highly classified operations throughout Southeast Asia. The 5th Special Forces channelled personnel into MSCV-SOG(although it was not a Special Forces group) through Special Operations Augmentation(SOA),which provided their "cover" while under secret orders to MACV-SOG. The teams performed deep penetration missions of strategic reconnasissance and interdication which were called, depending on the time frame,"Shining Brass" or "Prairie Fire"missions.

BRING THEM HOME!!!! ONE AND ALL

On October 5, 1970, David and Sgt.Fred Gassman were members of a joint American and Vietnamese reconnaissance operating about 12 miles inside Laos.The patrol had established their night position west of Ta Bat when they were attacked by hostile force. According to two surviving indigenous patrol members, Davidson was hit once in the head during a long burst of enemy fire while the team was attempting to evacuate the area, and fell down a ridge, after which he lay motionless with what apperared to be a fatal head wound.

At about 1300 hours, Gassman radioed the aircraft that they were being hit from three sides.He stated on the radio that,"I've been hit, and in the worst way.The surviving indigenous patrol members last saw Gassman lying motionless with a large hole in his back.One unsuccessful search and recovery attempt was made shortly after the incident,but was curtailed due to difficult tactical situation in the area.Davidson and Gassman remain missing.
BY: Esther Cross


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