Donald Irvin RankinSpecialist FourA CO, 5TH BN, 7TH CAVALRY, 1 CAV DIV Army of the United States 14 April 1940 - 24 November 1966 New Carlisle, Kentucky Panel 12E Line 115 |
 
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The database page for Donald Irvin Rankin
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Don was a wonderful friend, my college roommate, best man in my wedding. There was no finer friend to everyone. He struggled to be able to stay in college when finances were difficult but he kept trying. Over the years of our friendship we shared much. I was the last friend to see him before he shipped out to Vietnam. He had come to visit me in Scottsdale, Arizona, on his way to San Francisco. His last words were that he didn't expect to return home. When I received word of his death at Thanksgiving time I knew his friendship would never be duplicated with anyone else. I have held on to his friendship and his memory is with me every day. I traveled to his funeral in Kentucky and found that this experience was overwhelming difficult. Don was a people person and shared his friendship with so many. I count it a blessing that we had gotten to know each other. A few weeks after his funeral I received a letter from Don that had been dated the day of his death. The envelope was muddy but the contents still ring out to me. He was concerned about the innocent people of Vietnam and was troubled that he couldn't do more for them. About the same time I received my letter, my grandmother also received a letter from him also dated the day of his death. I cherish both those letters and reread them each year. God blessed me with Don's friendship. His faith was important to him and I know that he is at peace now.
From a friend. |
A Note from The Virtual WallA Company, 5/7th Cavalry, lost seven men on 24 November 1966:
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The point-of-contact for this memorial is a friend. br71840@epix.net |
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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 11 Nov 2006
Last updated 11/17/2006