Military Service of Dan Copeland
Like many young men Dan’s age, his service in Vietnam determined the direction of the rest of his life. 
Dan was drafted out of college in early April of 1969. While waiting at the bus stop for transportation to the induction center, he met a fellow draftee, Ron Chaffin, who had graduated from the same High School. They decided to go in on the “Buddy System”, where the Army would attempt to keep them together during training. After induction, they were sent to Fort Ord, California. They completed Basic Combat Training (BCT) in May of 1969, and then Infantry Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in August of 1969. After completing AIT, they were not surprised that they both received orders for duty in Vietnam.
In September, after a short leave, Dan traveled to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, where he again met up with his friend, Ron, at the Replacement Depot. The Army continued to honor the buddy system, and they both were assigned to E Company, 1/52d Infantry Regiment, 198 Light Infantry Brigade, 23 Infantry Division (Americal).
While being transported to the new unit, they met and befriended another soldier, David Barnett. All three were assigned to the Recon Platoon. They endured many months, conducting grueling and sometimes harrowing recon patrols. 
Experiencing periods of heavy combat, they often put their lives on the line for their brothers-in-arms.  Although all three soldiers survived the difficult duty, both Dan and his friend Ron, sustained wounds during combat with the enemy.
After a long and particularly dangerous and challenging patrol, they were told to clean their bodies and their weapons, draw ammo and rations, and prepare to go right back out. 
Ron decided to reenlist in order to get a different assignment. When Dan heard that his battle-buddy was not going back out, he also reenlisted. They reenlisted to be retrained as helicopter mechanics, thus adding the 67N20 (UH-1 Repairer) MOS to their existing 11B20 (Infantry) MOS. Reenlisting also slightly extended their required service in Vietnam.
Both were sent south to Vung Tau to an in-country Huey Maintenance school for a number of  weeks, and then to an Aviation Unit flying UH-1 Huey Helicopters in Bien Hoa. 
At Bien Hoa, Dan maintained UH-1 Helicopters, and also flew as a Crew Chief and Door Gunner. While there, he also met, and fell in love with Tu, a young Vietnamese woman, who would be his partner for the rest of his life. Dan and Tu were married in Vietnam on August 7, 1970, and celebrated 51 years together.
After completing his tour of duty in Vietnam, Dan had a while left to serve on his enlistment. He returned to Southern California, where he was stationed at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro. He served the rest of his enlistment as a driver for the Command Staff. He was honorably discharged in July 1972. 
A few years ago, Dan reconnected by phone with his friend David Barnett, renewing the bond forged in combat. 
Dan said that the best things that came out of his service in Vietnam were his wife, and his children.

Dan was my friend
Randy Brown

America the Beautiful was purchased for the family of Daniel Martin Copeland.

Lovely One Spathiphyllum Plant was purchased for the family of Daniel Martin Copeland.

Danny (my much older cousin :wink:) was always so kind and full of joyful smiles!!  We are forever grateful for his service to our country - we have many freedoms bc of Danny and men like him!  I can remember a couple of visits to the family home in the summer - I loved Danny’s plants and Tu’s deep fried shrimp crisps!  I always felt their much love and kindness when I was over to visit with Jeannie and Peter!  I experienced my first earthquake at their house in the middle of the night!  I remember all their pictures rattling on the wall!!!  Always a great memory when we were able to visit with Danny and Tu :heart:

OBITUARY

Daniel Martin Copeland

December 2, 1949 – September 4, 2021

Miller Jones Mortuary and Crematory

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