Name: CW2 Donald Lynn Wann
Status: Remains were returned on 07/29/08 from an incident on 06/01/1971 while performing the duty of Pilot.
Age at death: 34.0
Date of Birth: 05/31/1937
Home City: Shawnee, OK
Service: AV branch of the reserve component of the U.S. Army.
Unit: D/158 AVN 101 ABN
Prior Unit: 128 AHC 68-69
Major organization: 101st Airborne Division
Flight class: 67-21/67-19
Service: AV branch of the U.S. Army.
The Wall location: 03W-063
Short Summary: Shot down while destroying ammo after extraction of CCN Team at LZ Telstar on 2nd tour. W/ 128 AHC 1st tour. See Magers
Aircraft: AH-1G tail number 68-15002
Call sign: REDSKIN 22
Service number: W3158964
Country: South Vietnam
MOS: 100E = Attack Helicopter Pilot
Primary cause: SVN-BNR
Major attributing cause: aircraft connected not at sea
Compliment cause: small arms fire
Vehicle involved: helicopter
Position in vehicle: aircraft commander
Vehicle ownership: government
Started Tour: 01/04/1971
"Official" listing: helicopter air casualty - other aircrew
The initial status of this person was: missing in action - interim
Length of service: *
Location: Quang Tri Province I Corps.
Military grid coordinates of event: XD855454
Additional information about this casualty:
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Donald L. Wann, USA, of Oklahoma, is now accounted for. Listed as KIA/BNR in South Vietnam on June 1, 1971, his remains were recovered on July 29, 2008 and identified March 10, 2010.
Mrs. Plaster - I came to the Redskin's in mid-July, 1971. I never met your father, as he was lost before my arrival. I want to tell you a bit about the men who served with your father and what they taught other pilots that came to the Redskins for the remainder of our deployment.
As a co-pilot, one of the first missions I flew was to the sight of your father's last known location. En route, the aircraft commander told me about your father and the day he was lost.
As my aircraft commander circled the sight where your father was known to have gone down, he explained that until Mr. Wann was recovered - regardless of what others thought to be obvious - I was to assume the possibility that Mr. Wann could be alive, and it was expected that I search for him anytime I came into the area.
On many occasions, pilots would swing out of their designated flight path to and from missions in order to search the area where your father was known to have gone down.
I remember 'slow days', those days we were free to rest and relax, when pilots would use that time to explore areas where your father might have gone, had he survived.
Mostly, I want you to know that men who knew your father taught men who had never met him to know and respect Mr. Wann, and take upon themselves the responsibility to continue the search.
I know that men who were at Camp Evans in 1971 have carried your father in their hearts for 39 years; have continued to pray for his return; and have continued to pray for his family, as well.
We rejoice with you that Mr. Wann is now found, and give thanks that his family may find peace and comfort in finally knowing with absolute certainty that the one they have continued to love and miss is now home.
From: John P. Joyner, Redskin 58, 1971
Reason: aircraft lost or crashed
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Date posted on this site:
11/13/2023
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Casualty type: Hostile - died while missing
married male U.S. citizen
Race: Caucasian
Religion: Protestant - no denominational preference
Burial information: FORT GIBSON NATIONAL CEMETERY, OK
The following information secondary, but may help in explaining this incident.
Category of casualty as defined by the Army: battle dead Category of personnel: active duty Army Military class: warrant officer
This record was last updated on 07/30/2010