More detail on this person: Fred Leland Close, Jr., of Sierra Vista, Arizona, passed away on July 6, 2024. He was born in October and adopted by Fred and Martha Close. From a young age, Fred's talent for music was evident when his mother discovered him creating melodies with water glasses. This led to piano lessons and a scholarship in music at Arlington State College. Although Fred eventually shifted his focus to Business Administration, graduating in 1966, his service to our country soon followed. Fred served with honor in the 92nd Assault Helicopter Company and continued his distinguished career as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot and comptroller for 20 years, retiring with the rank of Major. His service in Vietnam earned him numerous awards, including the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, among many others. After Vietnam, Fred pursued a Master of Arts degree in Accounting from the University of Alabama and held various significant assignments, including service in South Korea, Maryland, and New Jersey, where he met and married Irene Silagy. His final military assignment brought him to the 205th Transportation Battalion in West Germany, where I had the privilege of serving alongside him. In 1986, Fred retired and moved to Sierra Vista, Arizona, where he became a financial consultant and later a teacher at Cochise College. His legacy of leadership and service continued in civilian life, touching the lives of many.
This information was last updated 10/10/2024
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association