Specialist (SP5) Donald C. Grella of Laurel, Nebraska. One of two children born to Leo and Alberta Grella, Don had a dislike for his freckles and a fondness for Elvis Presley. As a member of the United States Army, he was stationed in Korea. He volunteered to go to Vietnam, with the hopes that a combat record would enable him to enroll in officer's training school. On December 28, 1965, he boarded a helicopter with 3 special forces personnel for a routine flight. The helicopter was shot down over the central highlands of Vietnam, a deep jungle. The crew was declared dead by the military on December 29, 1966. Donald's sister Shirley spent much of her adult life trying to get her brother's remains found and returned home. In 2009, the remains of the crew were recovered and identified. Donald is remembered on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall on panel 4E, line 43. He is laid to rest next to his parents in Laurel, Nebraska, and some of the unidentified remains from the crew are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Donald is survived by his sister, Shirley Haase and her husband Ron. (Biography written by Sue)
Please note that Donald also has a grave at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. He was buried there in a group burial for the whole crew who died along with him.
Please note that Donald also has a grave at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. He was buried there in a group burial for the whole crew who died along with him.
Specialist (SP5) Donald C. Grella of Laurel, Nebraska. One of two children born to Leo and Alberta Grella, Don had a dislike for his freckles and a fondness for Elvis Presley. As a member of the United States Army, he was stationed in Korea. He volunteered to go to Vietnam, with the hopes that a combat record would enable him to enroll in officer's training school. On December 28, 1965, he boarded a helicopter with 3 special forces personnel for a routine flight. The helicopter was shot down over the central highlands of Vietnam, a deep jungle. The crew was declared dead by the military on December 29, 1966. Donald's sister Shirley spent much of her adult life trying to get her brother's remains found and returned home. In 2009, the remains of the crew were recovered and identified. Donald is remembered on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall on panel 4E, line 43. He is laid to rest next to his parents in Laurel, Nebraska, and some of the unidentified remains from the crew are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Donald is survived by his sister, Shirley Haase and her husband Ron. (Biography written by Sue)
Please note that Donald also has a grave at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. He was buried there in a group burial for the whole crew who died along with him.
Please note that Donald also has a grave at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. He was buried there in a group burial for the whole crew who died along with him.
