David A. Christian
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David A. Christian (born October 26, 1948) is an
American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...
who served in the United States Army as a captain during the Vietnam War. While serving as a lieutenant in
South Vietnam South Vietnam, officially the Republic of Vietnam ( vi, Việt Nam Cộng hòa), was a state in Southeast Asia that existed from 1955 to 1975, the period when the southern portion of Vietnam was a member of the Western Bloc during part of th ...
, he was wounded in action seven times and awarded several medals including the
Distinguished Service Cross The Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.) is a military decoration for courage. Different versions exist for different countries. *Distinguished Service Cross (Australia) *Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) *Distinguished Service Cross (U ...
for extraordinary heroism.''Boomer Nation: The Largest and Richest Generation Ever, and How It Changed America'', Steven M. Gillon (p 187) 2004 Simon & Schuster. Mentions awards specifically cited. He is best known for his veterans' advocacy efforts. In 2012, Christian was a candidate for the Republican nomination in the United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, challenging incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey, Jr. Christian lost in the
primary election Primary elections, or direct primary are a voting process by which voters can indicate their preference for their party's candidate, or a candidate in general, in an upcoming general election, local election, or by-election. Depending on the ...
to Tom Smith.


Early life and education

Christian was born in
Gainesville, Florida Gainesville is the county seat of Alachua County, Florida, Alachua County, Florida, and the largest city in North Central Florida, with a population of 141,085 in 2020. It is the principal city of the Gainesville metropolitan area, Florida, Gaine ...
, on October 26, 1948. He was raised in Levittown, Pennsylvania. Christian's father left the family, causing his mother to raise Christian and his three siblings alone. Christian's mother, Dorothy Christian, was a U.S. Army aide to General
Douglas MacArthur Douglas MacArthur (26 January 18805 April 1964) was an American military leader who served as General of the Army for the United States, as well as a field marshal to the Philippine Army. He had served with distinction in World War I, was C ...
in World War II. Christian completed his high school education at Woodrow Wilson High School in 1966. He graduated on the Dean's List from Villanova University in 1972. He attended law school at Rutgers University, from 1972 to 76. Christian graduated from Rutgers Law School in 2011. Christian also attended graduate programs at Villanova, the University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr College, before graduating with a master's degree in international politics from
Middlebury College Middlebury College is a private liberal arts college in Middlebury, Vermont. Founded in 1800 by Congregationalists, Middlebury was the first operating college or university in Vermont. The college currently enrolls 2,858 undergraduates from all ...
.


U.S. Army


Vietnam War

Christian enlisted in the United States Army in 1966 at age 17. After being rapidly promoted through the enlisted ranks to sergeant, he was admitted to the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) and commissioned at 18 years old (making him one of the youngest officers) and making Christian the youngest commissioned officer of the 20 and 21st centuries."Local Soldier may tie Audie Murphy's record". Ron Avery. ''Bucks County Courier Times''. August 22, 1969. Following Officer Candidate School, he completed U.S. Army Airborne School, (Parachute Jump School) and
U.S. Army Special Forces The United States Army Special Forces (SF), colloquially known as the "Green Berets" due to their distinctive service headgear, are a special operations force of the United States Army. The Green Berets are geared towards nine doctrinal m ...
("Green Berets") training. In 1968, he was sent to Vietnam and served with the 1st Infantry Division - 75th Rangers (Long Range Recon) doing work behind enemy lines for the Division and the 11th Armored Cavalry under Major General George Patton IV and the 1st Battalion 26th Infantry. He was awarded the
Distinguished Service Cross The Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.) is a military decoration for courage. Different versions exist for different countries. *Distinguished Service Cross (Australia) *Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) *Distinguished Service Cross (U ...
for extraordinary heroism on October 29, 1968 and two Silver Stars (America's third highest medal for valor). In January 1969, Christian was critically burned by napalm in Vietnam and treated at hospitals there until February 20. He was then transferred to the 106 General Hospital (a division of Brooke Burn Center was established there) in Japan. He was promoted to captain (O-3) at age 20. He was medically retired from the Army at age 21.''The Unfinished War: Vietnam and the American Conscience'' Walter H. Capps. P. 4. 1990. Beacon Press


Distinguished Service Cross

CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) David A. Christian (ASN: 0-5345884), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Combat Support Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Christian distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 October 1968 while in charge of the lead element of a reconnaissance-in-force mission ten miles northwest of Quan Loi. During an attempt to flank enemy positions, Lieutenant 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. Lieutenant Christian sent the casualties and the medic to the rear, and then led his troops forward until they became pinned down within ten 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 thirty men, forcing the reconnaissance team to take cover behind a berm. Despite the enemy's devastating fire superiority, Lieutenant Christian attacked them with two antitank weapons. He was painfully wounded in the hand, but refused medical care and returned to the berm to direct artillery fire. When friendly reinforcements arrived two 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. Lieutenant 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. Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1192 (April 7, 1969)


Post-military service

Christian was elected National Commander of the
Legion of Valor The Legion of Valor of the United States of America, commonly known as the Legion of Valor, is a war veterans' organization created to promote patriotic allegiance, fidelity to the United States Constitution, and popular support for civil libert ...
in 1978 and National Adjutant in 1980. He holds a lifetime Board of Directors position with the Legion of Valor. Membership of the Legion of Valor is restricted to those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor,
Distinguished Service Cross The Distinguished Service Cross (D.S.C.) is a military decoration for courage. Different versions exist for different countries. *Distinguished Service Cross (Australia) *Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) *Distinguished Service Cross (U ...
, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross. Frustrated with how Vietnam War veterans were treated upon their return to the United States, both by the general public and the government, Christian became an advocate and veterans leader.Interview with David Christian, 1983
(Video Interview) WGBH Media Library & Archives.
He founded the United Vietnam Veterans Organization (UVVO), whose members joined Vietnam Veterans of America at the 1985 VVA National Convention in Detroit after UVVO dissolved. Christian served as a Presidential Schedule "C" employee under President Jimmy Carter in 1978 but was fired for his outspokenness. The story then appeared on the front page of '' the New York Times'' on January 25, 1979. Christian went on to serve as Regional Director of the US Department of Labor (Region 3) and then as Assistant State Director in Pennsylvania. His efforts made Pennsylvania the only State to be in compliance with establishing outreach centers. He worked with then Secretary of Labor and Industry, Charles Lieberth, and continued this program under the Reagan administration and Pennsylvania Governor
Dick Thornburgh Richard Lewis Thornburgh (July 16, 1932 – December 31, 2020) was an American lawyer, author, and Republican politician who served as the 41st governor of Pennsylvania from 1979 to 1987, and then as the United States attorney general fro ...
. During his tenure millions of dollars were brought into the outreach centers that helped veterans with employment and to obtain disability assistance for longer than 20 years.No author named. "Agent Orange Documents stolen." ''Pacific Stars and Stripes''. July 9, 1981. In July 1981, material pertaining to
Agent Orange Agent Orange is a chemical herbicide and defoliant, one of the "tactical use" Rainbow Herbicides. It was used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971. It ...
health issues was stolen from his office in what Christian characterized as a "
Watergate The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal in the United States involving the administration of President Richard Nixon from 1972 to 1974 that led to Nixon's resignation. The scandal stemmed from the Nixon administration's continual ...
type" burglary. Christian is a former '' Fox News'' military analyst, having worked with them from 2002-2003. Christian is also interviewed in the documentary ''Picking Up the Pieces (Making sense of the 60's V.5).'' Christian also appears in the John Pilger "Heroes" documentary. He collaborated with William Hoffer on the 1991 autobiographical ''Victor Six''.


2012 U.S. Senate election

In mid-2011, Christian formed an exploratory committee to consider a run for the United States Senate seat currently held by incumbent
Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...
Bob Casey, Jr. in the
2012 election This national electoral calendar for 2012 lists the national/ federal elections held in 2012 in all sovereign states and their dependent territories. By-elections are excluded, though national referendums are included. January *3–4 January: ...
. Later in the year, Christian officially declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate for the seat being held by incumbent Bob Casey, Jr. In his campaign announcement, Christian described himself as a "Ronald Reagan Republican". A poll conducted by the ''
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The ''Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'', also known as "the Trib," is the second largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Although it transitioned to an all-digital format on December 1, 2016, it rem ...
''/''
WPXI-TV WPXI (channel 11) is a television station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, affiliated with NBC and owned by Cox Media Group. The station's offices and studios are located on Evergreen Road in the Summer Hill neighborhood of Pittsburg ...
'' in early February 2012 showed Christian tied for last in the Republican field, with 1% of respondents. A poll conducted in late February by PoliticsPA of the website's readership, however, placed Christian in second place, trailing only
Sam Rohrer Samuel E. Rohrer (born August 11, 1955) is an American businessman and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 128th District. Before entering politics, Rohrer ...
. Christian finished with 21% of respondents (364 votes) to Rohrer's 37% (651 votes). Christian was defeated in the April 24, 2012, primary by Tom Smith.


Military awards

Christian's military decorations and awards include:


References


External links


David Christian websiteDavid Christian in Philadelphia Inquirer (First search result)
(Scroll down) * ttps://archive.today/20130127185731/http://www.legionofvalor.com/officers.php/ Legion of Valor Officersbr>Ronald Reagan Presidential Library file on Veteran's Affairs on appointment of David Christian
{{DEFAULTSORT:Christian, David A. 1948 births Living people United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War United States Army officers Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) Recipients of the Silver Star Recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam) Recipients of the Air Medal People from Levittown, Pennsylvania People from Gainesville, Florida Military personnel from Pennsylvania