David R. Mackey

---

Major, US Army

David R. Mackey

Killed in Action September 1969

WKU Class of 1963

David R. Mackey was born and raised in Calhoun, Kentucky. In the fall of 1958, he entered Western Kentucky State College to major in biology and earn a teacher’s certificate. He entered the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps at the beginning of his freshman year and found that his true calling was to become an officer in the United States Army. He immersed himself totally into the program by becoming a Pershing Rifleman, where he developed friends who became like brothers to him. He was later elected to the Scabbard and Blade Honor Society, serving as the executive officer of the chapter at Western. In the Cadet Corps as a senior, he was a Captain and commanded HHC. Later in the year, he was promoted to Major and became the Battle Group Adjutant (S-1). Because of his academic record and excellence in ROTC, David became a Distinguished Military Graduate upon graduation in June 1963. His active duty began in 1964 with the Infantry’s Officers’ Basic Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, along with Airborne and Ranger Schools. David’s first assignment after his basic military schooling was Fort Hood, Texas, where he served initially as the Battalion Mortar/Davy Crockett Platoon Leader. During this time, the unrest in Southeast Asia was escalating and America’s concern and involvement was growing. When he received his orders, he was confident in his abilities and knew that he was well trained and ready for any mission. David was sent to Vietnam in December 1966 with the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) to serve as an advisor to the Vietnamese infantry unit. He distinguished himself on the battlefield as both a bold leader and skilled trainer and earned a reputation for having a true warrior ethos.

In 1969, he volunteered for a second tour in Vietnam so that his brother would not have to go. This time, he was assigned to the 5^th Battalion, 60^th Infantry, 9^th Infantry Division, “The Old Reliables” at their base camp in Rach Kien. He was assigned as an Operations Officer (S-3) in the 5^th Battalion.

Always where the action was, on 17 September 1969 in Long An province part of the Mekong Delta and south west of Saigon, Captain David R. Mackey was riding in a Huey Helicopter command and control aircraft along with the commander of the Third Brigade and Commander of the 5^th Battalion. As they directed the battle on the ground, a hunter killer team from B Troop, 3^rd Squadron, 17^th Air Cavalry provided tree top-level support to the ground element in contact. The AH-1 Cobra was preparing to set up and make the rocket run on the enemy position. While climbing, the Command and Control ship came inside the orbit of the Cobra, striking the Cobra underneath the left side with its main rotor blade. Both aircraft crashed and killed all ten onboard the Huey and two in the Cobra.

He earned two Silver Star Medals, seven Bronze Star Medals, two with V Device, nine Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal with V Device, and two Purple Hearts. Other awards and decorations included the Expert Infantryman’s Badge, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, The Ranger Tab, the Army Parachutist’s Badge, the Vietnamese Cross of the Gallantry with Palm, the Vietnamese Armed Forces Honor Medal – First Class, and the Vietnamese National Order – Knight for his bravery in action and superb efforts in training Vietnamese troops. His valor should be legendary, but as with most heroes, he never mentioned it and continued to serve to the utmost of his ability.

Because he had already been selected for promotion by a Department of the Army Selection Board, CPT David R. Mackey was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major.

Major David R. Mackey gave the last full measure of devotion and dedication to duty during his six years of military service. His spirit truly was his master and an inspiration to all with whom he came in contact.