A 30-year Army veteran who was the longest continuously serving Ranger in Vietnam and one of the war’s most decorated enlisted soldiers has died a few days ago.
Patrick Gavin Tadina served in Vietnam for over 5 years straight between 1965 and 1970, leading long range reconnaissance patrols deep into enemy territory — often dressed in black pajamas and sandals, and carrying an AK-47.
The retired CSM died Friday morning in North Carolina. He was 77.
A native of Hawaii, Tadina earned two Silver Stars, 10 Bronze Stars — seven with valor — three Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry, four Army Commendation Medals, including two for valor, and three Purple Hearts.
His small stature and dark complexion helped him pass for a Viet Cong soldier on patrols in the Central Highlands.
He preferred to be in the point position. He walked to within feet of enemy he knew to be lying in wait. He led a pursuing enemy patrol into an ambush set by his team.
In Vietnam he served with the 173rd AB, LRRP, 74th Infantry Detachment Long Range Patrol and Company N (Ranger), 75th Infantry.
Tadina joined the Army in 1962 and served in the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Grenada, and Iraq.
Some 200 men had served under him without “so much as a scratch." Tadina himself was shot three times and his only brother was killed in combat in Vietnam.
The last time he was shot was during an enemy ambush in which he earned his second Silver Star.
As the point man, Tadina was already inside the kill zone when he sensed something was wrong. After spotting the enemy, Tadina opened fire and called out the ambush before being shot in both calves.
He refused medical aid and continued to command until the enemy retreated.
A 1995 inductee into the Ranger Hall of Fame, he served with “extreme valor,” never losing a man during his years as a team leader.
#warrior #wearenotworthy #ranger #zerofoxtrot #stayzero @point_27