In
Memory of Army Spec. 4
Killed as the result of injury he received on a jungle clearing
operation
in the MaCong Delta, Vietnam
David LeRoy Arens was born in Miller, South Dakota on
July 15, 1946, to John and Doris Arens. He had three
sisters, Mary, Delores, and Susan, and brothers, Nick and
Butch. He grew up in Miller where he attended Miller High
School for three years, finishing his final year while
taking army training. David worked for Arens Steel
Construction located in Redmond, Washington. He enjoyed drag
racing and working on fast cars. Susan, his sister, stated:
“David was a young man who must have known his life was
going to be short, as he lived it to the fullest.”
David was drafted into the army on November 30, 1965. He
was trained at Ft. Riley, Kansas, and was sent overseas,
arriving in Vietnam on December 12, 1966. He was attached to
the 3rd Squadron, 5th Calvary, 9th Infantry Division.
On June 16, 1967 in the MaCong Delta, Vietnam, Army
Specialist 4 David Arens was clearing a road in the jungle
with a VTR. He was killed instantly when a large tree fell
on him as he came up out of his VTR.
Specialist 4 David LeRoy Arens was buried on the 27th of
June 1967, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church cemetery in Miller,
South Dakota. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze
Star. His name can be found on Panel 21 East, Line 111 of
the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.
Spec 4 Arens is survived by his sister, Susan Arens
Dornbusch, Howard, South Dakota, and his brothers, Nick
Arens, Hot Springs, Arkansas, and Butch Arens, Seattle,
Washington.
Samantha Ann Blood, 7th grade, Stanley County Middle
School, Fort Pierre, South Dakota, March 30, 2005,
respectfully submitted this entry. Mrs. Susan Arens
Dornbusch of Howard, South Dakota, sister to Specialist 4
David LeRoy Arens, provided the information.
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