Honoring Veterans

 

Our classmate and friend from the Sandpoint High Class of 1965 who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. 

When Glen Shropshire arrived at Sandpoint High School after moving from California, we girls noticed. 

So handsome.  So engaging. So down-to-earth.

I had the honor of knowing him beyond admiring his good looks. 

He served with me on the Cedar Post newspaper staff. 

Oh so talented as a writer! 

Glen leaned toward the creative side.  With that in mind, I asked him to write our class prophecy, which he did. 

I think it was a hit, even if some of the prophesying turned out to be a bit of a stretch from reality. 

I know for sure, from that journalistic relationship. that Glen was a fun friend and that his humanity matched his looks. 

A few years later, I taught Phillip and his daughter Mindy, always feeling a close bond because I had known and admired their father. 

This Profile ID 364428 Service ID 3154268 Name Glen Emery Shropshire From Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho

 Birth Date 27 December 1946

 Casualty Date 31 July 1967

 War Vietnam War Service Branch Army Rank Warrant Officer Specialty Helicopter Pilot Unit/Group 189TH AHC, 52nd Aviation Battalion, 17th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade

Casualty Type Non-hostile, died while missing, Air loss or crash over land Location Pleiku Province, South Vietnam

Burial Pinecrest Memorial Park, Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho, 

Remembered Glen Emery Shropshire is buried or memorialized at Pinecrest Memorial Park, Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho,. 

Glen is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 24e, Line 57.

Additional Details 

He was a pilot on the UH-1H helicopter #66-16529 during a night mission. Their aircraft inadvertently entered low level IFR between LZ Oasis and Camp Holloway and struck a tree in a descending left turn while attempting to return to VFR. 

 The crash took the lives of three crewmen: aircraft commander WO1 Arnold O Nakkerud, pilot WO1 Glen E Shropshire, and gunner SP4 Donald W Hart. 

The crew chief survived the wreck. 3 casualties related to #66-16529: Donald W Hart :: Light Weapons Infantry Arnold O Nakkerud :: Helicopter Pilot Glen E Shropshire :: Helicopter Pilot Commendations + Awards.

 Please note this might not be a complete or completely accurate accounting. 

For some awards we use probability factors based on known service details. Thanks for your understanding. ★ United States Aviator Badge ★ National Defense Service Medal ★ Vietnam Campaign Medal ★ Vietnam Service Medal ★ Army Presidential Unit Citation ★ Vietnam G

Almost 60 years later, we still miss you, Glen Shropshire. 

We thank you for your service and your sacrifice. 

For reflection: a few poignant songs about veterans and sacrifice for one's country. May each individual sacrifice be appreciated and never forgotten.