Killed in action when a hostile mine detonated near Ben Veng,
South Vietnam
Dale Richard McInnis was born in Medford, Minnesota,
March 16, 1943 to Alpine C. and Orma E. (Hansen) McInnis. He
had four sisters: Marie, Lillian, LaVonne, and Darlene, and
four brothers: Albert, Robert, Patrick, and John. Dale moved
with his family to Pierre when he was two. He went to Riggs
High School, but joined the service before he graduated.
Dale liked baseball, and attended all of the Pierre Cowboys
baseball games. Franklin Hyde, the owner of the team, hired
him to be a shagger, one who retrieves the balls that had
gone over the fence. He did the job so well that he was
awarded the winning homerun ball signed by all the team and
Mr. Hyde. Dale enjoyed art, hunting, and music. He was also
an Elvis fan, and had all of Elvis’s records.
Dale McInnis entered the Army at the age of 17, on June
17, 1960. He completed his education and received his
diploma while in the Army. Pfc. McInnis trained at Fort
Carson, Colorado, and Fort Hood, Texas. He served in Germany
before being shipped to Vietnam in October 1965. He was
attached to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st
Calvary Division, and served as the General’s driver. Pfc.
Dale Richard McInnis was killed when the Jeep he was driving
and ran over a minefield on February 7, 1966 at Ben Veng,
South Vietnam.
Pfc. Dale McInnis was awarded the Purple Heart, the South
Vietnames Gallantry Cross with Palm for extraordinary
bravery in combat, and the Military Merit Medal. The decree
for the Military Merit Medal reads, in part:
Courageous combatants, well known for
their sacrifices, who always exhibited a spirit of good
will and cooperation. They assisted the Republic of Viet
Nam Armed Forces in blocking the Red Wave of aggression
from engulfing South Viet Nam and Southeast Asia.
With their enthusiasm and exemplary
devoted manner, they willingly executed all of their
entrusted missions and set a brilliant example for their
comrades-in-arms.
They died in the performances of their
missions. Their losses have been greatly mourned by both
their American and Vietnamese comrades-in-arms.
Pfc. Dale Richard McInnis was laid to rest
with full military honors in Riverside Cemetery in Pierre,
South Dakota on February 21, 1966. Pfc. McInnis is
remembered on Panel 05E, Line 013 of the Vietnam Veteran’s
Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., the 1st Division Memorial
in Washington, D.C., the 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood,
Texas, the South Dakota Memorial in Pierre, South Dakota,
and in the hearts and memories of his family.
This entry was respected submitted by Ryan Evertte Flood,
8th Grade, Stanley County Middle School, Fort Pierre, South
Dakota, April 29, 2005. Information for this entry was
provided by John McInnis, Pierre, South Dakota, brother to
Pfc. Dale Richard McInnis.
View
Dedication Promotional Video
