Vietnam Veteran Speaks at Swallow Cliff DAR Meeting

Swallow Cliff Chapter NSDAR Welcomes Vietnam Veteran
to its November Meeting

At its November 15 meeting recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Swallow Cliff Chapter NSDAR had the honor of hearing Vietnam veteran and Bronze Star winner Ted O’Connell, a Tinley Park resident, speak about his experiences as an officer in the army during his tour of duty there from 1965 to 1966. Coming from a military family, at age 21 Ted decided to apply early for the draft. Eight days before President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Ted headed off to basic training and subsequently was accepted in Artillery Officer Candidate School. He volunteered to go to Vietnam, where, as a second lieutenant, he was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division to be an artillery forward observer in the Central Highlands and call in supporting gunfire from naval artillery. He later served as an aerial observer for an artillery company, riding in helicopters and two-man planes, and experienced being shot down by enemy fire.

Ted vividly described the difficult living conditions caused by the heat, himidity, and monsoons and harrowing experiences during his tour of duty. Most poignant was the juxtaposition of the beauty of the surrounding jungle with the devastating losses of close friends in battles there.

For his service Ted was awarded not only the Bronze Star and an Air medal, but also the Vietnam Gallantry Cross for valor and heroic conduct in combat with the enemy. As he concluded his talk, Ted said that he remembered President Kennedy’s inauguration speech where he said to Americans to “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country,” and knew that what he did was simply, for him, “the right thing to do.”

At the conclusion of his talk, Swallow Cliff presented Ted with a certificate of appreciation from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for his honorable service to the United States of America.