- David A. Christian
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David Christian 
Christian in military dress uniform. Personal details Born October 26, 1948
Gainesville, FloridaNationality American Political party Republican Website Campaign website Military service Allegiance United States Service/branch United States Army Years of service 1965-1969 Rank Captain Awards Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star (2)
Bronze Star
Purple Heart (7)David A. Christian (born October 26, 1948)[1], is a highly decorated American Vietnam War veteran, best known for his veteran's advocacy efforts. He is a candidate for the Republican nomination for United States Senator from Pennsylvania in the 2012 election, challenging incumbent Bob Casey Jr..[2][3]
Contents
Early life and education
Christian was born in Gainesville, Florida on October 26, 1948. He was raised in Levittown, Pennsylvania. Christian's father left the family, causing his mother, a veteran of World War II, to raise Christian and his three siblings alone. Christian's mother, Dorothy Christian, was an aide to General Douglas MacArthur during WWII.[4]
Christian completed his high school education at Woodrow Wilson High School in 1966. In 1972, he graduated on the Dean's List from Villanova University. From 1972 to 1976, Christian attended law school at Rutgers University. In addition to this, he has also attended graduate programs at Villanova, University of Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr College, and Middlebury College.[1]
Military career
Christian enlisted in the United States Army at age 17. After being rapidly promoted through the enlisted ranks to Sergeant, he was admitted to Officer Candidate School and commissioned at 18.[5] Following Officer Candidate School he completed Jump School and Green Beret training.[5] He was promoted to Captain (O-3) at age 20.[5] Christian's service in Vietnam was ended when he was critically burned by Napalm in the last week in January, 1969. He was treated in Vietnam hospitals until Feb 20,1969. He was then moved to the 106 General Hospital (a division of Brooke Burn Center was established there) in Japan.[5] He was medically retired from the Army at age 21.[6]
Decorations
David Christian receives the Purple Heart.
For his actions during the Vietnam war, Christian was awarded: The Distinguished Service Cross, Two Silver Stars, Bronze Star, Seven Purple Hearts, and Two Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry, among other medals. He was also twice nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor.[6][7]
Distinguished Service Cross
Silver Star with oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star Medal
Purple Heart with six oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Post-military career
Christian was elected National Commander of the Legion of Valor in 1978, and holds a lifetime Board of Director's position with the organization.[8] Membership in the Legion of Valor is restricted to those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross.
He was a founding Vice-President of the Council of Vietnam Veterans.[7] He left the organization, founding the splinter group of the United Vietnam Veterans Organization (UVVO),[9] which merged with the VVA in 1986.
Christian served as Assistant State Director, US Department of Labor-Veterans Employment during the Reagan Administration.[10] In July 1981, material pertaining to Agent Orange health issues was stolen from his office in what Christian characterized as a "Watergate type" burglary.[10]
Christian, a Republican, twice ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives against Peter H. Kostmayer, losing by less than 4,000 votes in 1984, and 15,000 in 1986.
Christian is a former Fox News military analyst,[11] having worked with them from 2002-2003.[12][13] Christian is also interviewed in the documentary Picking Up the Pieces (Making sense of the 60's V.5).[14] Christian also appeared in John Pilger's - "Heroes" documentary.[15]
He collaborated with William Hoffer on the autobiographical Victor Six.[16]
2012 U.S. Senate election
See also: United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, 2012In mid-2011, Christian formed an exploratory committee to consider a run for the United States Senate seat currently held by incumbent Democrat Bob Casey Jr. in the 2012 election.[17]
Later in the year, Christian officially declared his candidacy for the U.S. Senate for the seat currently held by incumbent Bob Casey Jr. In his campaign announcement, Christian described himself as a "Ronald Reagan Republican".[2][3]
References
- ^ a b "Christian, David A.". Our Campaigns. http://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=31494. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
- ^ a b "David Christian: "We're In" Officially Launches 2012 U.S. Senate Campaign Against Bob Casey, Jr.". David Christian for U.S. Senate. http://christian2012.org/?page_id=85. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
- ^ a b "2012: David Christian Enters U.S. Senate Race". Pike County Republican Committee. http://pike.mygopsite.net/2011/09/15/2012-david-christian-enters-u-s-senate-race/. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
- ^ "About David". David Christian for U.S. Senate. http://christian2012.org/?page_id=74. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
- ^ a b c d "Local Soldier may tie Audie Murphy's record". Ron Avery. Bucks County Courier Times. August 22, 1969.
- ^ a b The Unfinished War: Vietnam and the American Conscience Walter H. Capps. P. 4. 1990. Beacon Press
- ^ a b Boomer Nation: The Largest and Richest Generation Ever, and How It Changed America, Steven M. Gillon (p 187) 2004 Simon& Schuster. Mentions awards specifically cited.
- ^ Officers. Legion of Valor.
- ^ Kennedy, Morris. Kostmayer, Christian find little upon which to agree. Montgomery County Bulletin (?). October 23, 1984.
- ^ a b No author named. Agent Orange Documents stolen. Pacific Stars and Stripes. July 9, 1981.
- ^ Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism Alexandra Kitty. (p 207)Disinformation Company. April 2005.
- ^ Topics and Guests for Monday, Nov. 4, 2002. Fox News.
- ^ Guests and Topics: March 12, 2003. Fox News.
- ^ Documentary writeup
- ^ John Pilger - Heroes (1 of 5) - Video. Youtube.
- ^ Victor Six David Christian & William Hoffer. 1990 Hb McGraw-Hill, 1991 Pb Pocket Books.
- ^ Schlegal, Bradley (11 July 2011). "Bucks County businessman David Christian ponders run for U.S. Senate". The Times Herald. http://timesherald.com/articles/2011/07/11/news/doc4e1ba2295924c394382678.txt. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
External links
- David Christian 2012 Senate Campaign website
- David Christian website
- Our Final Debt To Dave Christian
- David Christian in Philadelphia Inquirer (First search result)
- Information regarding Christian's award of the Distinguished Service Cross (Scroll down)
- Legion of Valor Officers
- Ronald Reagan Presidential Library file on Veteran's Affairs on appointment of David Christian
- Lindorff, Dave, "Gullibility and Fiction at the Philadelphia Inquirer", CounterPunch, June 22, 2011; regarding reporting on Christian's law school experience as a veteran, in Michael Smerconish, "Vietnam hero cures an old Rutgers wound", philly.com, May 20, 2011; including, in Lindorff, some contrasting account from Christian autobiography.
Categories:- 1948 births
- Living people
- American military personnel of the Vietnam War
- United States Army officers
- Recipients of the Purple Heart medal
- Recipients of the Combat Infantryman Badge
- Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
- Recipients of the Silver Star
- Recipients of the Bronze Star Medal
- Recipients of the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry
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