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David Lee Sackett was killed sixteen days after his twenty-third birthday, leading his rifle platoon in action in the Boi Loi Woods northwest of Cu Chi, South Vietnam. The tragedy of that early death still burns in the hearts of his widow, family, friends, classmates and fellow soldiers who have chosen to remember him as he enriched their lives.</div>
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Dave’s roots trace back to the coal fields of McDowell County, West Virginia. Dave’s parents, Fred Sr. and Dora</div>
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Lee, provided a nurturing home life which placed great value in hard work, loyalty to friends and the pursuit of educational opportunities. In high school he excelled at everything, including academics, track and basketball, but always with a free-spirited good nature that endeared him to all who knew him. A close circle of family friends still tells stories of his misadventures, wonderful sense of humor and generous acts. His life-long friend from home was Pete Villani, whose younger sister Susi “adopted” Dave as a brother. At Christmastime one year, Susi was upset that the tree at the Villani home was particularly small, so David took her with him and bought another tree to appease the child.</div>
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David was a natural for the Military Academy. He had the requisite well-rounded abilities that the Academy sought. He was extremely intelligent, mission-oriented and capable of putting everything in perspective. He applied himself fervently to every task he undertook, including the Dialectic Society, French Club, KDET broadcasting, regimental sports and the Rocket Society. Dave’s penchant for enjoying every aspect of Academy life caused his friends to worry that he was spreading himself too thin. Many times classmates found themselves sweating out his exam results. On the other hand, Dave never doubted that he would ultimately pass any mental or physical test the Academy could throw at him. He knew he would graduate and be a leader.</div>
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Leading was what Dave did best. His ability to understand, to cajole and to bring humor to the most dismal of situations served as an inspiration to all. We did things for David because we knew that he would do them, ungrudgingly and with a smile on his face, for us.</div>
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Dave met Pam Stokes in 1968 at Jesse Gatlin’s wedding. Jesse and Dave were long-time roommates, and the E-3 contingent was rounded out by Mike Selvi-telle, who was Dave’s closest friend during the years at West Point. It did not take Dave and Pam long to realize that they were meant to live their lives together. The thought of waiting until David returned from Vietnam was unbearable to both of them. They were married on 19 April 1969, his father’s birthday, in the West Point Chapel. There was no time for a honeymoon; David had to be back at Fort Hood, Texas the following Monday. They were happy together for three months before he had to leave for Vietnam. Pam said that she is so thankful that she at least had him for that time. The memories of his warmth, humor and joy for life will always be with her.</div>
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Vietnam in 1969 was very much the lieutenant’s war. David Sackett was the fifth member of the West Point Class of 968 to be killed in action, just 17 months after graduation. The truest measure of a leader is found in the respect given by his men, particularly in combat. Dave always led his platoon from the front, and his men possessively referred to him as “their” Lima Tango (lieutenant). On the day he died, a radio call came to investigate a routine intelligence report of enemy activity. Dave's platoon was airlifted into the suspected area. The fighting began almost immediately, and Dave was hit by fire from an enemy tunnel complex. The battalion commander ordered the unit to pull back</div>
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until reinforcements could arrive. Dave's men refused to move until they could recover his body. The platoon sustained additional casualties because of their fierce loyalty to their fallen leader. Despite an early report that he was missing in action, Dave was never left alone by the men who loved him. The fighting lasted several more hours and became one of the largest conflicts of 1969 involving the 25th Infantry Division.</div>
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Before leaving on his last mission, we spoke with Dave for about an hour. He talked about Pam, his new bride back at home, whom he deeply loved and missed.</div>
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He joked about a branch transfer, preferably to the Adjutant General Corps or some other noncombat arm. He was not afraid, simply determined to take care of the men who depended on him to get them home. The essence of David's life and death can best be captured by the way he cared about people. It was his nature to help in any way he could—whether the problem was small or large. He willingly sacrificed his time, his energy and his heart for friends and strangers. David always inspired the best in every life he touched. He never asked for anything in return.</div>
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Family, friends and classmates</div>
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