David A. Christian

{{Short description|American soldier in the Vietnam War}} {{multiple issues| {{BLP primary sources|date=September 2010}} {{BLP sources|date=September 2010}} }} {{Infobox military person | name = David Christian | image = David A Christian in dress uniform.jpg | alt = | caption = David A. Christian | nickname = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|10|26}} | birth_place = Gainesville, Florida, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | burial_place = | allegiance = United States | branch = United States Army | service_years = 1966–1970 | rank = Captain | service_number = | unit = | commands = | battles = Vietnam War | awards = Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star (2) Bronze Star Medal (2) Purple Heart (7) Air Medal (2) Army Commendation Medal Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross (2) | alma_mater = Villanova Middlebury College (M.A.) Rutgers (J.D.) | relations = | other_work = | website = http://davechristian.com/ }} '''David A. Christian''' (born October 26, 1948)<ref name=ourcampaigns>{{cite web| title=Christian, David A.| url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=31494| publisher=Our Campaigns| accessdate=25 September 2011}}</ref> is an American who served in the United States Army as a captain during the Vietnam War. While serving as a lieutenant in South Vietnam, he was wounded in action seven times and awarded several medals including the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism.<ref name="capps"/><ref name ="gillon">''Boomer Nation: The Largest and Richest Generation Ever, and How It Changed America'', Steven M. Gillon (p 187) 2004 Simon & Schuster. Mentions awards specifically cited.</ref> He is best known for his veterans' advocacy efforts.

In 2012, Christian was a candidate for the Republican nomination in the United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, challenging incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey, Jr.<ref name=senateannouncement/><ref name=pikecountyrc/> Christian lost in the primary election to Tom Smith.<ref name=senateloss>{{cite news| last=Brennan| first=Kevin| title=Smith Wins Pennsylvania Senate GOP Primary| url=http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2012/04/smith-wins-penn.php| accessdate=25 April 2012| newspaper=National Journal| date=24 April 2012| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427235749/http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2012/04/smith-wins-penn.php| archivedate=27 April 2012}}</ref>

==Early life and education== Christian was born in Gainesville, Florida, on October 26, 1948. He was raised in Levittown, Pennsylvania. Christian's father left the family, causing his mother to raise Christian and his three siblings alone. Christian's mother, Dorothy Christian, was a U.S. Army aide to General Douglas MacArthur in World War II.<ref name=about>{{cite web| title=About David| url=http://christian2012.org/?page_id=74| publisher=David Christian for U.S. Senate| accessdate=25 September 2011| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106121336/http://christian2012.org/?page_id=74| archivedate=6 November 2011}}</ref>

Christian completed his high school education at Woodrow Wilson High School in 1966. He graduated on the Dean's List from Villanova University in 1972. He attended law school at Rutgers University, from 1972 to 76. Christian graduated from Rutgers Law School in 2011. Christian also attended graduate programs at Villanova, the University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr College, before graduating with a master's degree in international politics from Middlebury College.<ref name=ourcampaigns/>

==Military career== ===Vietnam War=== Christian enlisted in the United States Army in 1966 at age 17. After being rapidly promoted through the enlisted ranks to sergeant, he was admitted to the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) and commissioned at 18 years old (making him one of the youngest officers in American history) and making Christian the youngest commissioned officer of the 20th century.<ref name="avery">"Local Soldier may tie Audie Murphy's record". Ron Avery. ''Bucks County Courier Times''. August 22, 1969.</ref> Following Officer Candidate School, he completed U.S. Army Airborne School, (Parachute Jump School) and U.S. Army Special Forces ("Green Berets") training.<ref name="avery"/>

In 1968, he was sent to Vietnam and served with the 1st Infantry Division – 75th Rangers (Long Range Recon) doing work behind enemy lines for the Division and the 11th Armored Cavalry under Major General George Patton IV and the 1st Battalion 26th Infantry. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for extraordinary heroism on October 29, 1968, and two Silver Stars (America's third highest medal for valor). In January 1969, Christian was critically burned by napalm in Vietnam and treated at hospitals there until February 20. He was then transferred to the 106 General Hospital (a division of Brooke Burn Center was established there) in Japan.<ref name="avery"/> He was promoted to captain (O-3) at age 20.<ref name="avery"/> He was medically retired from the Army at age 21.<ref name="capps">''The Unfinished War: Vietnam and the American Conscience'' Walter H. Capps. P. 4. 1990. Beacon Press</ref>

===Distinguished Service Cross=== {{quote|CITATION: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) David A. Christian (ASN: 0-5345884), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Combat Support Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. First Lieutenant Christian distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 29 October 1968 while in charge of the lead element of a reconnaissance-in-force mission ten miles northwest of Quan Loi. During an attempt to flank enemy positions, Lieutenant Christian's nine-man unit came under heavy rocket-propelled grenade, small arms and automatic weapons fire. After firing several light antitank weapons, he led an assault on the hostile strongholds, killing three North Vietnamese and causing others to flee. As he and his comrades advanced they again received intense small arms and machine gun fire and three men were wounded. Lieutenant Christian sent the casualties and the medic to the rear, and then led his troops forward until they became pinned down within ten meters of a bunker. Disregarding his safety, he assaulted the fortification single-handedly and destroyed it with hand grenades. The communists were reinforced by approximately thirty men, forcing the reconnaissance team to take cover behind a berm. Despite the enemy's devastating fire superiority, Lieutenant Christian attacked them with two antitank weapons. He was painfully wounded in the hand, but refused medical care and returned to the berm to direct artillery fire. When friendly reinforcements arrived two hours later, he directed them to cover his left flank while he attempted to evacuate his casualties. Although wounded again by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade, he did not permit himself to be treated until the other injured men had been evacuated. Lieutenant Christian's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam, General Orders No. 1192 (April 7, 1969)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/4572 | title=David Christian - Recipient - }}</ref>}}

==Post-military service== [[File:reagan 2.jpg|thumb|right|David Christian meets with Ronald Reagan.]] Christian was elected National Commander of the Legion of Valor in 1978 and National Adjutant in 1980. He holds a lifetime Board of Directors position with the Legion of Valor.<ref>[http://www.legionofvalor.com/officers.php/ Officers.] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130127185731/http://www.legionofvalor.com/officers.php/ |date=2013-01-27 }} Legion of Valor.</ref> Membership of the Legion of Valor is restricted to those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross.

Frustrated with how Vietnam War veterans were treated upon their return to the United States, both by the general public and the government, Christian became an advocate and veterans leader.<ref name=WGBH>[http://openvault.wgbh.org/catalog/vietnam-6891de-interview-with-david-christian-1983 Interview with David Christian, 1983] (Video Interview) WGBH Media Library & Archives.</ref> He founded the United Vietnam Veterans Organization (UVVO),<ref>Kennedy, Morris. "Kostmayer, Christian find little upon which to agree." ''Montgomery County Bulletin'' (?). October 23, 1984.</ref> whose members joined Vietnam Veterans of America at the 1985 VVA National Convention in Detroit after UVVO dissolved.<ref>David Christian and William Hoffer, ''Victor Six: The Saga of America's Youngest, Most Decorated Officer in Vietnam'' (McGraw-Hill, 1990), p. 217</ref>

Christian went on to serve as Regional Director of the US Department of Labor (Region 3) and then as Assistant State Director in Pennsylvania. His efforts made Pennsylvania the only State to be in compliance with establishing outreach centers. He worked with then Secretary of Labor and Industry, Charles Lieberth, and continued this program under the Reagan administration and Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh. During his tenure millions of dollars were brought into the outreach centers that helped veterans with employment and to obtain disability assistance for longer than 20 years.<ref name="agent">No author named. "Agent Orange Documents stolen." ''Pacific Stars and Stripes''. July 9, 1981.</ref>

In July 1981, material pertaining to Agent Orange health issues was stolen from his office in what Christian characterized as a "Watergate type" burglary.<ref name="agent" />

Christian is a former ''Fox News'' military analyst,<ref>''Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism''. Alexandra Kitty. (p 207) Disinformation Company. April 2005.</ref> having worked with them from 2002 to 2003.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,69172,00.html Topics and Guests for Monday, Nov. 4, 2002.] Fox News.</ref><ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,81005,00.html Guests and Topics: March 12, 2003.] Fox News.</ref> Christian is also interviewed in the documentary ''Picking Up the Pieces (Making sense of the 60's V.5).''<ref>[http://www.lib.unc.edu/house/mrc/films/full.php?film_id=5674 Documentary writeup]</ref> Christian also appears in the John Pilger "Heroes" documentary.<ref>{{YouTube|zIXSa21y5Po|John Pilger – Heroes (1 of 5) – Video}}.</ref>

He collaborated with William Hoffer on the 1991 autobiographical ''Victor Six''.<ref>''Victor Six''. David Christian & William Hoffer. 1990 Hb McGraw-Hill, 1991 Pb Pocket Books.</ref>

==2012 U.S. Senate election==

In mid-2011, Christian formed an exploratory committee to consider a run for the United States Senate seat currently held by incumbent Democrat Bob Casey, Jr. in the 2012 election.<ref name=exploratorysenate>{{cite news| last=Schlegal| first=Bradley| title=Bucks County businessman David Christian ponders run for U.S. Senate| url=http://timesherald.com/articles/2011/07/11/news/doc4e1ba2295924c394382678.txt| accessdate=24 September 2011| newspaper=The Times Herald| date=11 July 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402101513/http://www.timesherald.com/articles/2011/07/11/news/doc4e1ba2295924c394382678.txt| archive-date=2 April 2012| url-status=dead}}</ref>

Later in the year, Christian officially declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate for the seat being held by incumbent Bob Casey, Jr. In his campaign announcement, Christian described himself as a "Ronald Reagan Republican".<ref name=senateannouncement>{{cite web| title=David Christian: "We're In" Officially Launches 2012 U.S. Senate Campaign Against Bob Casey, Jr.| url=http://christian2012.org/?page_id=85| publisher=David Christian for U.S. Senate| accessdate=24 September 2011| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106121339/http://christian2012.org/?page_id=85| archivedate=6 November 2011}}</ref><ref name=pikecountyrc>{{cite news| title=2012: David Christian Enters U.S. Senate Race| url=http://pike.mygopsite.net/2011/09/15/2012-david-christian-enters-u-s-senate-race/| accessdate=24 September 2011| newspaper=Pike County Republican Committee| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115153930/http://pike.mygopsite.net/2011/09/15/2012-david-christian-enters-u-s-senate-race/| archivedate=15 November 2011}}</ref> A poll conducted by the ''Pittsburgh Tribune-Review''/''WPXI-TV'' in early February 2012 showed Christian tied for last in the Republican field, with 1% of respondents.<ref>{{cite news| last=Fontaine| first=Tom| title=GOP lacks name recognition in Casey bid| url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_780935.html| accessdate=4 March 2012| newspaper=Pittsburgh Tribune Review| date=10 February 2012| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213072514/http://pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_780935.html| archivedate=13 February 2012}}</ref> A poll conducted in late February by PoliticsPA of the website's readership, however, placed Christian in second place, trailing only Sam Rohrer. Christian finished with 21% of respondents (364 votes) to Rohrer's 37% (651 votes).<ref>{{cite news| last=Gibson| first=Keegan| title=Rohrer Wins PoliticsPA Reader Poll| url=http://www.politicspa.com/rohrer-wins-politicspa-reader-poll/32185/| accessdate=4 March 2012| newspaper=PoliticsPA| date=28 February 2012}}</ref>

Christian was defeated in the April 24, 2012, primary by Tom Smith.<ref name=senateloss/>

==Military awards== thumb|right|David Christian receives the Purple Heart. Christian's military decorations and awards include:

{| |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Combat Infantry Badge.svg|width=130}} |Combat Infantryman Badge |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=US_Army_Airborne_basic_parachutist_badge.gif|width=100}} |Parachutist Badge |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}} |Distinguished Service Cross |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Silver Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |Silver Star with One Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|other_device=v|type=oak|ribbon=Bronze Star Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |Bronze Star with "V" Device and Oak Leaf Cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=6|type=oak|ribbon=Purple Heart ribbon.svg|width=106}} |Purple Heart with One Silver and One Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters |- |{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |Air Medal with oak leaf cluster |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |Army Commendation Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |National Defense Service Medal |- |{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} |Vietnam Service Medal with three {{frac|3|16}}" bronze stars |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, with palm.svg|width=106}} |Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with star and palm |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnam gallantry cross unit award-3d.svg|width=106}} |Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm and frame |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=VNCivilActionsRibbon-2.svg|width=106}} |Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation with palm and frame |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}} |Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960- device |- |{{ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Conspicuous Service Cross.PNG|width=106}} |Conspicuous Service Cross |}

==References== {{Portal|Biography}} {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://davechristian.com/ David Christian website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20061024221028/http://www.mastalk.com/daily_news2/06_10_2004.htm Our Final Debt To Dave Christian] *[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_multi=PI|&p_product=PI&p_theme=realcities2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_site=philly&s_trackval=PI&s_dispstring=David%20A.%20Christian%20AND%20date(all)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(David%20A.%20Christian)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=_rank_:D&xcal_ranksort=4&xcal_useweights=yes David Christian in Philadelphia Inquirer (First search result)] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20060929203133/http://www.homeofheroes.com/valor/1_Citations/07_RVN-dsc/dsc_07RVN-armyC.html Information regarding Christian's award of the Distinguished Service Cross] (Scroll down) *[https://archive.today/20130127185731/http://www.legionofvalor.com/officers.php/ Legion of Valor Officers] *[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/textual/topics/vetaffairs.htm Ronald Reagan Presidential Library file on Veteran's Affairs on appointment of David Christian] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714022638/http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/textual/topics/vetaffairs.htm |date=2007-07-14 }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Christian, David A.}} Category:1948 births Category:Living people Category:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War Category:United States Army officers Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) Category:Recipients of the Silver Star Category:American recipients of the Gallantry Cross (Vietnam) Category:Recipients of the Air Medal Category:People from Levittown, Pennsylvania Category:People from Gainesville, Florida Category:Military personnel from Pennsylvania