Christopher M. Daniels

Sergeant

335th Assault Helicopter Company
145th Aviation Battalion
12th Aviation Group
1st Aviation Brigade

Entered the Service from: New Jersey
Born: December 18, 1948
Died: February 3, 1968
Buried at: Lee Memorial Park
                 Fort Myers, Florida

Awards: Purple Heart, Air Medal

Panel 37E, Line 005
Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Sergeant Christopher Michael Daniels was born to Myra Montalvo on December 18, 1948. Little is known about his early years, as he was adopted by a family by the name of Murphy and grew up in Gloucester City, New Jersey. He had many friends in Gloucester who were upset when he moved away during high school.

Christopher Daniels joined the Army and his tour of duty in Vietnam began on October 14, 1967. He was a UH-1 Helicopter Repairer with the 335th Assault Helicopter Company, 145th Aviation Battalion, 12th Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade.

Sergeant Daniels was killed in action on February 3, 1968 in Phu Yen, South Vietnam when he suffered multiple fragmentation wounds. He was brought back to the United States for burial, and was interred at Lee Memorial Cemetery in Fort Myers, Florida. His birth mother had settled in the nearby town of Immokalee, Florida.

Christopher Daniels was awarded the Aviation Badge, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Army Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medals, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Individual Citation, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation.

He is memorialized on Panel 37E, Line 005 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Christopher Daniels (nicknamed Chrissie), Guy Schaeffer (my brother) and Stevie Kirschner were close buddies. Stevie’s sister, Ann, and I hung around with them (when the boys would allow it) and we played Spin-the-Bottle with them once. Anyway, I got Chrissie on a spin, and he became the first boy I ever kissed. I also got to kiss Steve that day. I guess none of us were familiar enough with the art of kissing at that time, and were really bad at it.

When the boys were off on their own, they played baseball, football, basketball, went fishing and/or swimming (we lived next to Big Timber Creek) and played cards. I learned how to play Poker and Rummy 500 from them. We also went out exploring the woods and streams around our neighborhood together, learned to identify leaves, plants and trees, caught frogs and turtles, rode bikes, listened to music, and taught each other the latest dances.

Chrissie was an out-going, loving person and a dedicated friend. We were all sad when he moved away and broken-hearted when we heard of his death. He was a courageous young man, trying to make something of his life, who ended up giving his life for people who didn’t even remember to acknowledge his existence.

Nancy Schaeffer
Friend
September 25, 2003

Chris, you are not forgotten. Remembering all the good times at St. Pats and the Heights, Debbie’s luncheonette and just running wild.

Jack Giffin
Friend
February 27, 2003