Donny was a member of B Co,3rd Bn,22nd Inf Reg,25th Inf Div. A note from the Virtual Wall: On 11 April 1968 three companies from the 3rd Battalion,22nd Infantry,were air lifted into a remote clearing about 12 kilometers north of Dau Tieng.The soldiers established a defensive perimeter,put out listening posts,and settled in for the night.At about 0230 on the morning of 12 April 1968-Good Friday- the perimeter started receiving light probing fire,followed at 0330 by a heavy bombardment with 60mm and 82mm mortars.At 0405 a massive ground attack began,with Bravo 3/22 pushed back from their defensive line and hand-to-hand fighting inside the perimeter. Charlie Company,2nd Bn,22nd Infantry,was in night laager about five miles away.They were ordered to move to 3/22's assistance and began a night march through the jungle. By 0630 3/22 had ejected the enemy and reestablished their perimeter defense.Charlie 2/22 arrived on scene and the enemy withdrew in haste,leaving 153 dead behind.Twenty Americans died in the fight,and at least 47 more were wounded.The infantrymen buried the enemy dead on Saturday morning and withdrew to Dau Tieng. Among the twenty American dead was Donny Tidwell.This has become known as "The Battle of Good Friday,Vietnam". There were five children born to Billy Earl and Mildred Gilbert Tidwell;Bonnie,Donny,Roger,Phyllis,and Steve. Donny had been drafted by the LA Dodgers and wanted to get his military obligation fulfilled and joined instead of waiting to be drafted.After completing basic training he could have stayed at Ft.Campbell and played ball but he requested Vietnam.
Donny was a member of B Co,3rd Bn,22nd Inf Reg,25th Inf Div. A note from the Virtual Wall: On 11 April 1968 three companies from the 3rd Battalion,22nd Infantry,were air lifted into a remote clearing about 12 kilometers north of Dau Tieng.The soldiers established a defensive perimeter,put out listening posts,and settled in for the night.At about 0230 on the morning of 12 April 1968-Good Friday- the perimeter started receiving light probing fire,followed at 0330 by a heavy bombardment with 60mm and 82mm mortars.At 0405 a massive ground attack began,with Bravo 3/22 pushed back from their defensive line and hand-to-hand fighting inside the perimeter. Charlie Company,2nd Bn,22nd Infantry,was in night laager about five miles away.They were ordered to move to 3/22's assistance and began a night march through the jungle. By 0630 3/22 had ejected the enemy and reestablished their perimeter defense.Charlie 2/22 arrived on scene and the enemy withdrew in haste,leaving 153 dead behind.Twenty Americans died in the fight,and at least 47 more were wounded.The infantrymen buried the enemy dead on Saturday morning and withdrew to Dau Tieng. Among the twenty American dead was Donny Tidwell.This has become known as "The Battle of Good Friday,Vietnam". There were five children born to Billy Earl and Mildred Gilbert Tidwell;Bonnie,Donny,Roger,Phyllis,and Steve. Donny had been drafted by the LA Dodgers and wanted to get his military obligation fulfilled and joined instead of waiting to be drafted.After completing basic training he could have stayed at Ft.Campbell and played ball but he requested Vietnam.
Gravesite Details
There is a picture of Donny on the stone in an L.A.Dodgers Uniform, # 32.
