Bucks Co. War Hero 'Welcomed Home' In Bensalem

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —One of Bucks County's most-decorated war heroes received a "Hero's Welcome Home" —the first of two ceremonies this week —in recognition of his induction into the National Military Hall of Fame.

Vietnam War hero David A. Christian was escorted from Philadelphia International Airport to the Bensalem Township Municipal Complex Tuesday for a ceremony that featured resolutions from the township and county.

Watch the video of the ceremony below.

A second ceremony was planned for noon Saturday at the NAC's “Escape Resort” at 120 Pheasant Run in Newtown in conjunction with the celebration of Armed Forces Day.

Christian, who grew up in Levittown, was recently inducted into the National Military Hall of Fame for service in the Vietnam War that earned him seven Purple Hearts, the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry.

At the Bensalem ceremony, Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo made opening remarks.

Col. John C. Church, USMCR ( Ret.) MCJROTC Bensalem High School, served as the master of ceremonies. The Call of Colors was by Lt. James McGinty and the Bensalem Police Pledge of Allegiance was by Joe Slemmer, a Korean War veteran who served in the U.S. Navy.

The National Anthem was performed by Frank and Judy Cuda. with the invocation from Richard J. Viggiano, Sr., the state's Chaplain of the Year 2022 and a U.S. Air Force veteran in VFW Post 6495. The benediction was by Richard J. Viggiano Sr., for the retirement of colors.

Christian's daughter Coleen, a Bucks County prothonotary, was also at the ceremony.

DiGirolamo also made a resolution to Christian on behalf of Bensalem. The same was done by Bucks County Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo.

Christian was commissioned as an infantry officer at age 18.

He first served as an intelligence/combat operations officer, for Company A, 3rd Special Forces Group at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Christian was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations in Vietnam, including his actions on Oct. 29, 1968, while in charge of a recon-in-force mission 10 miles northwest of Quan Loi.

His service as an officer, included Special Forces (Green Berets), two tours in Vietnam leading the LRRP/Rangers, and then Recon 1st Infantry. While returning for a second tour, he incurred severe burns from Napalm, covering 40 percent of his body, requiring seven years of surgeries to recover, township officials remarked about Christian's service during the ceremony.

Following medical retirement, Christian continued his civilian education culminating in a Juris Doctorate at Rutgers University.

He served as both National Commander and National Adjutant of the Legion of Valor, as well as founding the United Vietnam Veterans Organization.

Christian and his wife have raised four children and have six grandchildren in Bucks County.