Douglas was assigned to Charlie Troop on June 5, 1968 and was Killed in Action on September 26, 1968. I served with Douglas. He was a good man and a dedicated soldier. Douglas was awarded the Purple Heart, Air Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and a set of Crew Member Wings. Douglas was an Observer on an OH-6A Light Observation Helicopter.
If any family member or friend reads this blog, please contact me as I am looking for pictures and personal stories about this brave man.
I went to high school with Doug. We graduated from Lindbergh High School in Sappington, Missouri a suburb of St. Louis in 1967. We were the few that enlisted from that class. I remember talking to him prior to graduation, and he would be going on active duty shortly after me. Upon returning from Vietnam in December 1968 I ran into the girl that he dated in high school, and found out then that he was KIA. I retired after 30 years in the US Army. However, whenever I came home on leave I visited 2 graves in Jefferson Barracks National cemetery my father’s and Doug’s. I am now settled back in St. Louis, and still stop by not only on Memorial Day. He was a good soldier and I was proud to know him and many good soldiers.
Mike Jerman
SGM USA (Retired)
For more information see “They’re all dead”.
Doug was my “first love” (from when I was 14 til 16). We were neighbors/Lindbergh students. I believe he also saw a couple other neighbors after that – one named Shelley who was killed in an auto accident not long after Doug if I remember, and one named Pat – don’t know who you talked to upon your return.. Doug was great fun – a little “cocky” in a cute way. I regret our last discussion at a party when he was home on leave,and getting ready to go to Nam and said he was going to sign up for helicopter duty, and I said I thought that was one of the most dangerous things to do – but he said it was what he wanted. He had a passion for everything he did. He loved sports, playing baseball in the vacant lots, swimming at the community pool. He loved to”gather up” all us neighborhood teens and walk around – he was our social director! I’ll always have a special place in my heart for him. Thanks for posting the picture, as I don’t have any anymore. Janice
Charlie Troop 1st Squadron 9th Cavalry Regiment 
Mike Jerman
May 30, 2011
I went to high school with Doug. We graduated from Lindbergh High School in Sappington, Missouri a suburb of St. Louis in 1967. We were the few that enlisted from that class. I remember talking to him prior to graduation, and he would be going on active duty shortly after me. Upon returning from Vietnam in December 1968 I ran into the girl that he dated in high scholl, and found out then that he was KIA.
I retired after 30 years in the US Army. However, whenever I came home on leave I visited 2 graves in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetary my father’s and Doug’s. I am now setteled back
back in St. Louis, and still stop by not only on Memorial Day. He was a good soldier and I was proud to know him and mant good soldiers.
Mike Jerman
SGM USA (Retired)
patrickbieneman
June 7, 2011
Mike, I knew Doug in Nam. He was an excellent soldier and a great comrade. Any stories you may want share about the two of you growing up please send to me and I will [ost them to his page. Pat
Janice (Tiesmeyer) Signaigo
February 22, 2012
Doug was my “first love” (from when I was 14 til 16). We were neighbors/Lindbergh students. I believe he also saw a couple other neighbors after that – one named Shelley who was killed in an auto accident not long after Doug if I remember, and one named Pat – don’t know who you talked to upon your return..
Doug was great fun – a little “cocky” in a cute way. I regret our last discussion at a party when he was home on leave,and getting ready to go to Nam and said he was going to sign up for helicopter duty, and I said I thought that was one of the most dangerous things to do – but he said it was what he wanted. He had a passion for everything he did. He loved sports, playing baseball in the vacant lots, swimming at the community pool. He loved to”gather up” all us neighborhood teens and walk around – he was our social director! I’ll always have a special place in my heart for him. Thanks for posting the picture, as I don’t have any anymore. Janice
patrickbieneman
February 22, 2012
Janice,
Thank you for your comment on Doug. He was a very good soldier and a great comrade. I hope this is okay but there is a posting on my blog entitled “They’re All Dead”. This is a story about the day and the way that Doug was killed. If you are up to it please read it. The man that wrote the story was Doug’s normal Pilot. They had flown several missions that day.
If you know anyone who may have a picture of Doug with family or just hanging out with you all I’d love to have it. I make a DVD about our Troop if you would like a copy send me your address at pcbnamin@earthlink.net and I’ll send you one for free. Once again, Thank You.
Pat
kim renfro
May 25, 2015
I went to high school with Doug and his very sweet sister, Sharon. I think of Doug often. All honor to Doug.
patrickbieneman
May 26, 2015
Kim, This is Pat Bieneman. I am the owner of this site. Do you happen to have a photo of Doug in High School that you could scan and send to me in an email? How about a story. It can be a funny one or a serious one. If you do, just send it to: pcbnamin@verizon.net. Thank you.