By Sophie Johnson, Westlake High School, Austin Texas
Sophie Johnson is currently a junior at Westlake HS in Austin, Texas. For a project in her English classshe was randomly assigned a serviceman who died in the Vietnam War, and had to create a video commemorating his/her life, and service; she was assigned Daniel F. Klein. “I was lucky enough to get in touch with friends and siblings of his who shared with me the personal memories and pictures that I put in the video. While my teacher may have randomly given me Danny’s name, I truly believed it happened for a reason. Hearing Danny’s story and forming connections with his family has had such a strong impact on my life, this was something more special than just a school project. As I look towards the future and college, I would love to study in the fields of art history, or most of all, psychology. Learning about the psychological effects of war (PTSD, depression, grief, etc.) through this experience has definitely been apart of what’s fueled my interest. I’m really so honored that you were pleased with the video and would like to share it with Danny’s hometown. Adrian seems like such a wonderful place!”
On the night of August 25, 1970, a group of Marines noticed some sudden movement near their position east of Giuong Mong Village, South Vietnam. Now weary of the possible VC presence, they called out, and when met with no reply proceeded to fire into the trees. Instantaneously they were met with shouting cries, not from Vietnamese, but desperate calls of cease fire by another group of Marines. Three required immediate medical attention.
Eleven days later Lance corporal Daniel Francis Klein would pass away due to the injuries he sustained from friendly fire.
This day September 5, 1970, marks exactly one year since he had entered the war.
Daniel or “Danny Klein” was born September 1, 1947 in Adrian, MN. He was born the second of five children. Danny was raised in a Catholic household, his family attended St Adrian Catholic Church. Even at a young age, Danny developed a strong Christian faith and love for God.
They grew up on the family farm and despite the tough work that it required, loved all the joys that came with it. As he got older, Danny would help his father run the farm.
Danny had a great love for the outdoors. One of his favorite things to do was go hunting. On any fall day he could be found hunting ducks, pheasants or deer with his dad. Danny also loved to spend time at the water, his Sundays were spent swimming and fishing on the pond.
“One time when he was about 10, he received his first BB gun. He would go out into the grove to hunt rabbits and brought on home with a big smile, however it was frozen solid. Mom took his picture anyway.” said Lois Hamilton (sister)
During his teenage years, Danny’s dream and ambitions were like anyone else’s at that age. He loved driving his 1962 Chevy, playing basketball, and hanging out with friends at dances or drive-in movies.
Danny was excited when he graduated from St. Adrian High School in 1967. Afterwards he went on to Pipestone Vocational School to become a butcher.
After graduation from Pipestone vocational School in 1968, Danny got his first job as a meat cutter at Erdman’s County Market. He moved to Rochester, MN for the job, and was really looking forward to being on his own.
Danny had a great deal of responsibility placed upon him at a young age. In 1968, Danny’s father Ted Klein, would pass away from cancer. His fathers death meant that now Danny had the roll of helping his mother raise two little brothers, who were only eight and ten at the time.
Growing up at this time was confusing. Men were dying in a war that no one understood, violence and protests were rising up throughout the country and the Klein family had been struck with grief.
Despite these misfortunes, Danny Klein still had many sources of happiness. He had a special girl in his life, Becky. They began seeing each other in high school, and she quickly became an very important part of his life.
Unfortunately Danny’s life began to take a turn in the summer of 1969. Around June-July of that summer, Becky was killed in a tragic car accident…Three months later, Daniel Francis Klein was drafted into the Vietnam War.
Danny began his service on September 5, 1969. He was originally drafted to serve in the army. However, when he first arrived at the Army base there was a need for two men to volunteer for the Marines. Danny bravely stepped forward and answered the call, beginning his enlistment in the Marine Corps.
He began his service at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA. During Boot Camp, Danny scored exceptionally high in the physical tests. He was then trained in Infantry, specifically to be the M-60 Machine Gunner for his platoon.
After finishing his training, Danny was deployed to Vietnam in June of 1970.
Despite the danger that he knew lay ahead, Danny was very proud to be a Marine and he didn’t question fighting for his country.
Upon arrival in Vietnam, Danny was assigned to the Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Infantry Division.
He was based in Quang Nam Province of Southern Vietnam; a region known for it’s heavy fighting during the war.
The summer of 1970 would see an offensive approach by Marine forces. They were sweeping through the Quang Nam Province to root out any North Vietnamese of Viet Cong soldiers. As a Marine infantryman, Danny was out on the frontline of the war, constantly bracing ambushes, booby-traps and physiological torment from the land.
Danny excelled while serving in the war, as he was used to putting in long hard days on the farm.
Danny’s Christian faith remained strong, even in the midst of war. He continued to pray frequently and carried a rosary with him that his grandmother had sent.
Danny frequently wrote to his family back home. The letters were filled with his faith in God and love for his family. In them he expressed his pride to be a Marine, and concern on how his mother and siblings were getting along without him.
On July 15, 1940, Danny Klein would embark on Operation Pickens Forest. Led by the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, they were ordered to attack enemy base camps and main force units. Operation Pickens Forest was one of the more aggressive efforts during the Marine Summer Campaign. As it came to an end on August 24, the operation proved to be successful, resulting in ninety-nine enemy deaths.
On the next day, August 25, 1970, Danny was radioman for his patrol group. It was a relatively routine day, the soldiers beginning to return to their base camp after Operation Pickens.
Unfortunately, this day only marked the beginning of the end for Lance Corporal Klein.
That night everything would change. As they were sweeping through the dark jungle, Danny’s squad was suddenly ambushed. In a matter of seconds they found themselves under heavy fire. While trying to return shots, they realized that the rounds were actually coming from friendly forces not enemies. Immediately the Marines cried out for cease-fire but it was too late. Danny and two other men had already been severely wounded, all requiring immediate medical attention.
Danny was airlifted to the USS Sanctuary, a United States Navy Hospital Ship. On the ship he received urgent and intensive medical treatment. His condition was critical; he had sustained gunshot wounds to the neck and was now paralyzed from his neck down.
His family was kept updated of Danny’s condition via telegram. They first received one on August 26th, when the sheriff and their priest showed up to inform them that Danny had been shot. Each day after, they would receive another telegram from the ship.
This continued for eleven days. Then, on September 6th, two Marines and the family priest arrived at the Klein home, about to strike the family with news of another lost one.
Now with his dear Becky again.
Now reunited with his father.
Now one of the 58,220 men who gave their lives in Vietnam.
Daniel Francis Klein has passed away the day before, September 5th, after succumbing to his fatal wounds received in combat.
Daniel Klein was the only serviceman from Adrian to lose his life in the Vietnam War. He is buried in St. Adrian Cemetery, and was given full military honors at the time of his burial.
Lance Corporal Klein was the recipient of many awards: the Rifle Experts Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, the National Defense Service Award, and the Purple Heart.
“Danny and I grew up 15 miles from each other in Minnesota. We were both Marine Grunts and lived in the jungle and were never stationed in the rear. He was shot 3 times, then 5 days later I was shot in the same area. Six days after I was shot, Danny passed away. You were a good friend, a good Marine, and brave in combat. I’m honored to have served with you. Semper Fidelis.” said Tom Padilla (friend, fellow Marine)
“When this you see remember me
and bear me in your mind
Let all the world say what they may
Speak of me as you find….”
Daniel Francis Klein
You were one of a kind
-E.M. Klein
“I was 18 when he died and I flew to San Francisco to accompany his body home by myself. It was a hard, confusing time because of all the protests against the war and the men were just trying to do what their country asked. My father was very patriotic, and we would never run to Canada before serving, even though we didn’t understand the war. We didn’t even know where Vietnam was.” said Lois Hamilton (sister)
Before her death in 2010, Danny’s mother had a chance to visit her son’s name on the Vietnam Wall. She brought flowers to lie with his name, located on Panel 7w, Line 39.
Daniel Klein was a son, a brother, a friend, a soldier and an American. This name doesn’t just represent the life that was lost, but the life that was cherished, the life we continue to remember.
The true embodiment of a Marine, Danny sincerely remained “Always Faithful” even until the end. He lived a dedicated life, whether it be to his faith, to his family, or to his country. His story and sacrifice will always be remembered and honored.
The video is on youtube.com and type in Daniel F Klein
