Passing of Lt Colonel Dave Caldon USMC (Ret)

[accs]

From Robert "Bob" Rohrer:

Re: David Caldon

I sent you a message in August asking you to pray for Dave and his wife to get through his re-occurrence of the cancer he had battled in the 1990's but sadly, my friend Dave left us today, 12/14/2007 at 5:30. Barbara and I were so fortunate to have this wonderful, dear man and his wife in our lives. It's taken 40 years but Vietnam has claimed another Marine who only wanted to
serve his Country with honor and joins that long line of heroes who made this Country great! We will always treasure the short time we had with him. He will be buried at the Military Cemetery in Suffolk; true to the end and thinking of his wife, he knew Arlington would be quite a trip for her. If you would like, I'll
send you a copy of his obituary if you let me know.

Sincerely, Jack West

Bob,

I called the paper this afternoon and found out details; there will be a visitation Tues nite 7-9 12/18/07 at the funeral home, the funeral on Wed at noon,and the burial on Fri at 10am in Suffolk, Va.

Dave didn't want Susie to have to travel so far to Arlington but if anyone ever deserved the Honor, it is Dave. I always told him I was his wingman, not for my flying ability(only kites) but my utter loyalty to him and the tradition of the Corps. If you need to call me for more details after I send the Obit tmw, my home number is 757-539-2664 and office toll free is 877-469-8635. Please feel free to pass them on to anyone. I will email you tmw as early as possible if you promise to root for the Redskins tmw nite against the Giants. I am usually here all weekend tooling around in my motorized wheelchair (MS).

Semper Fidelis Jack

Just got the below from Jack. I will send the obit as soon as I get it. I have attached the photos in lieu of embedding them so you should be able to open and save these jpg. If needed I also still have an email Dave sent me containing his description of his units and assignment at Khe Sanh!

Bob

[accs]

More from Bob Rohrer:

Bob,

I joined HMA-369 at Futema in May 1972. I became the Maintenance Officer and inherited the greatest Maintenance Chief in the Marine Corps, MSgt. Johnnie Spencer. I stayed with HMA-369 until June 1973. Sam Beamon has written a book about 164. He was my crew chief at Phu Bai.

I wasn't assigned to a helicopter squadron at Khe Sanh as there were no squadrons at Khe Sanh during the siege. I was chopped OpCon from HMM-164 at Phu Bai to 2nd Bn, 26th Marines at the end of December 1967, when they were assigned security for Phu Bai Air Base. I was the Air Liaison Officer for 2/26 based at Hill 558 at Khe Sanh during the siege and my call sign was Hastyfoot 14. Mid April we were helilifted to Camp Carroll following the siege.

Thank you all for your prayers and your heartfelt "Semper Fi"s!!! I can't begin to tell you how meaningful they have all been for Susie and me. Having served with Marines has always been the highlight of my life, and you are all reiterating to me that we are still serving together.

Semper Fi, Dave Caldon

[Sam]

I received word yesterday that Retired Lt. Colonel David Caldon passed away on 12/14/07 at 5:30 PM. He was not only a Marine, an Officer, Pilot and Silver Star recipant, but a good friend. He stood tall in stature and character. His warm smile will be missed by all that knew him. There is another gap in my life and words cannot express my saddeness over the loss of this True American Hero. He has taken his last flight and returned to his home base. He is at rest for a job well done. Thank you Colonel for all that you did for me, you will never be forgotten.

My prayers are with Susie and his family during this difficult time.

[accs]

From Bob Rohrer:

Chesapeake, Va.

David Lee Caldon, 65, passed away in his home Dec. 14,2007. Mr. Caldon retired from the United States Marine Corps as a Lieutenant Colonel and
served two tours in Vietnam. He was the recipient of the Silver Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with Gold Star and 18th Award, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal with Valor, Presidential Unit Citation with Bronze Star, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit commendation,Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with two Stars.

He was an investment associate with Merrill Lynch for the past 21 years and attended St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church in Chesapeake.

He is survived by his wife, Susan P. Caldon; two sons, Christopher C. Caldon and wife Heather of Virginia Beach and James P. Caldon and wife Alisha of
Ramona, Calif; four Grandchildren, Delaney, Caitlin and Noah Caldon and Alexis Williamson; father, Clifton Mailes Caldon; brother, Brian Edward Caldon and wife of East Berne, N.Y.; sister, Janet Kochanowski and husband Jack of Avon, Conn.; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his Mother, Eleanor Esterbrook Caldon.

The Visitation will be held at Altmeyer Funeral Home, Southside Chapel, Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m.. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Stephen Martyr Catholic, 1544 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake, Wednesday at noon with Monsignor Michael D. McCarron officiating. Burial will take place in the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in , Friday at 10 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to the American Society. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.altmeyer.com

[Bill Weaver]

Go with God and may he bless you in every way.
I'll always remember the times we spent in 164 in Vietnam. You were the best, Dave.

Semper Fidelis
Bill Weaver

[beddoe]

On Dec 17, 2007 7:44 PM, <Ssmazi@aol.com> wrote:

Hello Popasmoke,

I too knew Dave Caldon very well. I tried to post a message but felt that having not been a Marine it would be somewhat awkward. Possibly you could post my email.

I served with him in Panama just before he retired. He was a true friend and great Marine.

I happen to be an Army rotorhead served in 69-70 with 7th/1st Cav in a place called Vinh Long, Mekong Delta, VN. So he and I had a bit in common. Neither of us told many war stories but we did talk with our hands when we did. In Panama we liked to party, visit with our families and worked hard.

One of my visits with Dave was in 93 after my son graduated from West Point. Dave, Susie, my wife and I visited in Washington , DC. He was still fighting his first bout with cancer. Dave asked me to do him a favor and visit the VN War Memorial. He said he never had been able to sign on to that particular mission up to this time. We went and needless to say it was a moving experience for both of us. He paid honor to a number of his friends. We had a few tears as well as a few laughs that day.

I have always felt privileged and honored to have been on and completed that mission with my marine friend, Dave Caldon.

He will be truly missed.

Wayne Mazikowski
US Army Ret
Ssmazi@aol.com