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Submitted: 9/11/13 • Approved: 2/9/19 • Last Updated: 2/12/19 • R6794-G0-S3
MAJOR US Army
Vietnam
January 27, 1940 - October 18, 1984
Enlisted June 3, 1961 and released February 28, 1968
Military: He commanded the Honor Guard at the funeral of John F Kennedy in 1963. Major Bird was graduated from Missouri Military Academy in 1957 and later from the Citadel in 1961.
When the Vietnam War started, he volunteered for duty there, receiving 2 Bronze Stars and the Air Medal for Bravery. On January 27, 1967, his 27th birthday, he was shot in the head by a Viet Cong sniper. After months of in the hospital, he gained control of his right arm and sufficient control of his neck and back muscles to be able to sit up in a wheelchair. The remainder of his life kept him confined to his home with occasional speaking engagements telling of his experiences in the Army.
Contributed on 9/11/13 by wushock96
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Record #: 6794