DESMOND WILLIAM F

1LT William F. Desmond was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 01/04/2003 at the age of 63.7
Orford, NH
Flight Class 62-10
Date of Birth 04/23/1939
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with UTT in 64, 68 AVN in 65
This information was provided by Bob Mebane Citadel classmate

More detail on this person: William Francis Desmond Decorated Army pilot and successful New England businessman. 1961 graduate of The Citadel where he was an honor student, baseball player and member of Kilo Company; after graduation commissioned as a Signal Corps Officer in the US Army and received his wings as an aviator in 1963. One of the first pilots sent to Vietnam during the period prior to large scale direct combat operations by American forces, he flew over 200 missions on the UH-1 and AH-1 gunship earning the Bronze Star and 10 Air Medals, returning stateside he was assigned to the Aviation Section of the 2d Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Georgia then to the 11th Air Assault Division which became the Armys first airmobile unit and the predecessor of the 1st Air Cavalry Division. He later served as a reserve pilot with the 13th Corps at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. After leaving active duty Bill worked for ShopRite Supermarkets eventually rising to Vice President, in 1975 he started Desmond Seafoods which became the largest supplier of frozen seafood in the New York City metropolitan area; he sold the company in 1989 and became manager of the Trade Mart in Taunton, MA until forced to retire due to health problems caused by exposure to Agent Orange. He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed golf and deep sea fishing, member of the New York City Athletic Club. Survived by sister Jacqueline Desmond of Vermont, sister Elizabeth Catalino of Los Angeles plus many nieces and nephews.

Burial information: Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

This information was last updated 10/12/2017

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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