Veterans History Project

The Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.

David C. Sundberg (Dave), from Red Wing, Minnesota, was recruited as a football player for the University of Nebraska. He came to Lincoln, NE to take advantage of that offer/scholarship. Within the first year, he was injured. The University of Nebraska was good on its word and supported his scholarship through the next four years.

In Dave's family, there were several men who had served in the Armed Forces, especially the US Army. Some of the people Dave considered classmates were in the ROTC program.

In the late 1950s, the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) had several policies for its enrollees. The first two years were pretty much one-size-fits-all. After the sophomore year, however, the students had to decide which specific branch of the military they wanted to be a part of. Dave picked the Army.

As classes and training progressed, Dave became a senior and had a minimum of three years to serve. This was part of his obligation to the Army and ROTC. Another major part of his life at the time was marrying his sweetheart, Linda.

Upon graduating from the University of Nebraska and having become a commissioned officer in the US Army, Dave and his bride were headed to Fort Bliss, Texas where he would learn the nuts and bolts of Army life and about the business of Air Defense/Artillery. With his new wife, he was able to live in El Paso, TX during this 10 week course of training and completed the requirements of the program. Now he was through two courses of instruction and knew there were more to go.

The next assignment for training was Fort Rucker, Alabama. This was/is a major flight training center for the US Army. Most notably, the classes there are on rotary wing aircraft...helicopters. However, they seemed to be able to train people to fly about anything.

Dave had obtained a pilots license while still in college. He knew about the aerodynamics, meteorological information, landings and take offs. At Fort Rucker, he became acquainted with the Cessna L-19 aircraft. This is/was a single engine, fixed wing plane that seated two people, one in front of the other. It had fixed landing gear and was well re-enforced for rough landings. It had multiple uses in observing the enemy from the sky, or forward, aerial observation. It offered a communications platform by being in some altitude so that radio signals could be transmitted better than on the ground. It possessed an offensive capability in that it had rocket launchers with six 25mm rounds on each wing. It could also have a med-evac use.

For ten months, the training went on. The pilots learned flying techniques and their work as observers/spotters who radioed back what they saw to ground units. The ground crews learned as well. Planes need constant maintenance and trained mechanics being there made this training a complete cycle.

Dave graduated second in his class. This was quite an accomplishment in that the training lasted over such a time period. But it was now time to move on. The ensuing assignment was with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (3rd ACR).

Dave was in transition, moving a young family (now with son, Craig) from the states, getting their car and personnel affects to the new place, and getting adjusted to his first active duty assignment.

The 3rd ACR placement was in/near Baumholder, Germany. Here, the Cessna L-19 was used as described. The main work was observation and deterrence. There were about six crews, including pilots and maintainers. It was good work. Dave and Linda's quarters were about a block from the Officer's Club. There were many good friendships that formed in this assignment. During long weekends, there were sights to be seen and countries to visit. They took full advantage of all of it. Their daughter, Amy, was born in Germany.

In time, Dave's enlistment was up. As Dave talked with the people in the personnel office, things began to have a different look. The Army needed pilots for aircraft used in forward observation, and it wasn't quite ready to let a trained pilot leave the service. The whispers and rumors of war in Southeast Asia were now at the Sundbergs' doorstep.

After moving back the family and their possessions to the US and getting a chance to see loved ones, Dave made his way to San Francisco, CA so that he could get on the ordered flight. After flying to Anchorage, Alaska, then to Japan and finally, Saigon, it was time to get to work.

Dave was assigned to the 221st Reconnaissance Airplane Company, stationed in Bac Lieu in South Vietnam. It was near the Mekong Delta. Here, the main mission for the Army was to advise soldiers of the 21st Division of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN). One significant part of this work was providing forward observers who flew airplanes. Often times, the rear-seat passenger was a member of the ARVN. The advantage of having a spotter in the plane was language. No interpreter was required in this case.

The flight missions were laid out and explained so that all involved knew the game plan. The planes would fly over the planned route of the ground forces and radio back sightings of the enemy. Dave said that on occasion, his plane would come back with bullet holes in it that weren't there when he took off. The ground crew would patch the damage up and the plane would be "good to go" ! One expression or sentiment that followed when a ground crewman went out of his way for the pilot was that the repairman would never have to buy another drink"

Dave and the other pilots were armed as well. He carried a hip-holstered cannon...the 1911A-1 .45 caliber pistol. An M-14 rifle was in the crowded cabin...just in case.

The aircraft had rocket launching capability and that power was let go frequently. Rounds were charged with high-explosives or white phosphorous smoke If there was an enemy machine gun emplacement that needed removed, it was taken care of. The white phosphorous rounds were used to mark enemy activity so that the artillery forces could sight onto the spot and "unload".

This work was fairly stressful. Based on the situation, the build-up of enemy forces, weather, equipment, and several other factors, getting back to base was a blessing. Dave carried a picture of his wife and children. Perhaps it was a good luck charm!

The US mail made its way to the soldiers at this base. Dave and Linda wrote faithfully every day. Not every day was the mail delivered, and sometimes it would come in batches, but it was useful, certainly.

Dave made many good friends as a result of this assignment. Quoting from a book written by CPT Hank Collins in 2014 ("Eyes over the Delta") "all of us knew we were a part of it...part of that time when our country was confused and often non-supportive, we were in a strange place that was not a common name in history classes, we were fighting for a cause that at times, was unclear. In the end, all we could depend on was each other...and we did".

In time, Dave's assignment was over and it was time to return to the US! After hopping from place to place, the "silver bird" landed at San Francisco. His bride was there to meet him. Very few others were there to meet returning soldiers, but, there were no protesters. Soon, the couple was enroute to Lincoln, NE!

Dave earned the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Viet Nam Service Medal and the Viet Nam Campaign Medal. He was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry as well.

Captain David Sundberg, you answered the call when your Country needed you. You more than answered it, my friend. Thank you for your service!