Condolence: Doug and I became friends just before starting kindergarten. I had never been left on my own prior to that first day and was terrified when I walked in the school door that day. Doug came over to me and my fears were gone. For years after that we would walk to school and back home together. Doug served in the Army with courage and distinction. This is part of what was posted on "I Went to Ovid Central School" Facebook page - "Doug served a total of 2 years and 27 days in the Army. Eleven months and 6 days of that service was in Vietnam. He received the following awards:

National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with 2 O/S Bars
Expert M-14
Expert M-16
Expert H/G
Marksman M-60
Parachute Badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
Army Commendation W/1st OLC

The one medal missing is the Purple Heart. Doug told me and Larry Potts that he had been wounded by shrapnel but when I mentioned the Purple Heart he considered his wound(s) as minor and did not want to pursue it.

For those who do not understand what these medals mean I will explain their importance using the standard acronyms that you can figure out from above. The NDSM was awarded to those who served during the Vietnam War. It does not signify combat or service in Vietnam, just service during that war period. The VCM was awarded by Vietnam to those who were involved in fighting with the South Vietnamese against the North. The VSM with 2 O/S bars includes bars that indicate periods of 6 months or more in country. Doug was there almost a year.

He was an expert shooter for the M-14 rifle, the M-16 rifle, and an expert with hand grenades. He was a Marksman with the M-60 machine gun. He was awarded the Parachute Badge because he served in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The CIB indicates a service person who served in combat as an Infantry man. This award is made to those who "face the greatest risk of being wounded or killed."

The ARCOM w/1st OLC is awarded to those who distinguished oneself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. The Oak Leaf Cluster is added to the ARCOM to distinguish a second ARCOM award. Truth be told, Doug was serving with some of the baddest --- units in the history of the US Army. It's probably not something we would have thought of him doing, but he did.

It's this kind of combat experience that changes a person forever. I may be wrong but I doubt Doug ever shared this history with his family. I stated above that he gave the ultimate sacrifice. It's my belief that the cancer that took his life was caused by his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

I am proud to say he was my friend, a school mate, and proud of his service to our country. He did not know it in his lifetime but he was a distinguished and brave man."

Condolence: As a long time classmate, I have many positive memories of Doug, including some meaningful personal conversations in those early years. Haven't seen him in a longtime but remember him as a good guy.