Veteran of The Day

Veteran of the Day – November 12, 2025

Name: David Alan Bausch
Rank/Branch: Specialist Four (E4), U.S. Army
Home of Record: Towaco, New Jersey
Date of Birth: 12/08/1951

Personal & Early Life
Born in Long Island, NY, to James and Rosemarie Bausch. The family lived in Sumatra, Indonesia (1952–1958), then Massapequa, NY, before settling in Towaco, NJ. David graduated from Boonton High School in 1970. (Vietnam Veterans Memorial & Museum)

Service Details
Entered the Army on 04/16/1971. Served with the 48th Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade (USARV). Began stateside training in helicopter maintenance; in Vietnam he drove for a senior officer, then requested aviation duty—serving as door gunner and later crew chief on the UH-1H “Huey.” (Vietnam Veterans Memorial & Museum)

Awards
Air Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star (citations summarized by NJVVMF). (Vietnam Veterans Memorial & Museum)

Tour & Unit
Unit: 48th AHC, 11th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade, USARV
MOS: 67A20 – Aircraft Maintenance Apprentice
Tour Start: 09/06/1971 (The Virtual Wall)

Casualty Information
Incident/Date: 05/24/1972 – Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam. A shoulder-fired SA-7 near Huế shot down a helicopter command-and-control aircraft; all four crew members—MAJ Dan C. Kingman (AC/CO 48th AHC), 1LT Bruce E. Kline (pilot), SP4 Timothy J. Monkelbaan (crew chief), and SP4 David A. Bausch (gunner)—were lost. Casualty Type: Hostile; air loss/crash over land. Age 20.

The Wall
Panel: W1, Line 29. (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund)

Burial
Reported burial at Montville Dutch Reformed Churchyard (Montville, NJ). (Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund)

Narrative Tribute
Specialist Four David Alan Bausch answered his nation’s call with courage and purpose. A Boonton High School graduate who took pride in his work, he moved from maintenance to flight crew, serving as a Huey door gunner and crew chief with the 48th “Blue Stars.” On May 24, 1972, during combat operations near Huế, David gave his life in service to his fellow Soldiers and his country. We honor his skill, gallantry, and devotion—qualities reflected in his Air Medal, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star—and we remember the family and friends who carry on his legacy. (Vietnam Veterans Memorial & Museum)

Honor Roll Note
mickyspano.com/ and The Micky Spano Show proudly recognize Veteran of the Day, Specialist Four David Alan Bausch. We honor his service, his sacrifice, and his enduring place among America’s heroes.

Additional References if you would like to research