1981-82 American Legion commander
I have around 200 slides scanned for Gary's military service, along with military documents and other information. I also have audio captions from Gary
when went through his slides which provided more details about his service.
Further down below is just a small sampling of what I have scanned.
From Fort Huachuca he was sent to Vietnam for a one-year tour. In less than two weeks in Vietnam, aboard an aircraft with four other soldiers, the plane crashed on take-off
due to a loss of power. Fortunately all five soldiers walked away with only minor cuts and bruises. Gary spent eleven months and twenty-eight days in Vietnam with his tour divided
between Vung Tau (six months) and Longthon North (five months) where he flew with the OV-1 Mohawk spy plane as a technical observer.
After completing missions they would find bullet holes in the plane.
When Gary returned from Vietnam, he married Linda Turner and was assigned to Fort Huachuca where he was charged with testing surveillance equipment. From there he went to Fort Wainwright, Alaska for 2 1/2 years and then back to Fort Huachuca for additional training before moving to Fort Hood, Texas, where he received his honorable discharge in September 1977. Staff Sergeant (E-6) Knueven received three Army Commendation Medals, four Good Conduct Medals, Vietnam Presidential Campaign Ribbon, Vietnam Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Crew-member Flight Wings and the Air Medal.
May 23, 1969 plane crash with PFC Gary Knueven on board
Airplane "Beaver" Time 12:45 PM
Passengers 3 plus pilot and co-pilot - No injuries
Flying from Fock Vein to Vung Tau
Engine failure on takeoff 60 feet above ground
