Copper Valley Veterans: Randy Radigan Tribute

 Vietnam Veteran Randy G. Radigan Flew 1,597 Combat Missions  Randy Radigan  One of a series of stories submitted by Brandie Radigan,  VFW A...

 Vietnam Veteran Randy G. Radigan Flew 1,597 Combat Missions 


Randy Radigan 


One of a series of stories submitted by Brandie Radigan, 
VFW Auxiliary, as we approach Veterans' Day  

By Jesse Dicks 

                      

Randy G. Radigan was a Vietnam Veteran who flew 1,597 combat missions in a medevac helicopter. Radigan rescued 4,191 wounded men during his 39 months spent in Vietnam. He had to overcome many obstacles during the Vietnam War, but prevailed through it all.

Radigan’s story begins in Vermillion, South Dakota, where he was born to William Joseph and Susie Albers Radigan on August 24, 1946. He was the second child among 10 other  brothers and sisters. 

Radigan graduated high school in 1964 he went on to attend the University of South Dakota and decided to enlist into the army completing his helicopter flight school and became a DUSTOFF medevac pilot.

While flying in Vietnam he witnessed the death of every copilot he flew with. One time Radigan’s own life was nearly lost when his helicopter was shot down, spun out and crashed. Radigan recovered from the crash, grabbed his rifle and killed eleven Vietcong attacking him. He had to run through the jungle and found a way to escape by crawling through a sewage ditch (what got him through the ditch was imagining a strawberry milkshake when he returned home). 

After getting out of the sewage ditch, he ran through the jungle some more and then was able to be picked up. Needless to say flying a medevac helicopter was a very dangerous occupation. His helicopter was endlessly shot at during the missions he flew.

Not only did he have to overcome obstacles including enemy soldiers’ bullets, but he also had to overcome the obstacle of politics from his own commanding officer. One instance of this occurred during a battle where a general had been killed and Radigan was asked to drop what he was doing and go pick up the dead general's body. Radigan responded that he still had about 50 wounded men he had to move. The superior told Randy that the dead general's body was more important. Randy responded by telling his superior that the dead general would have to find another way back. The subordinate giving him the order did not respond. Later that night while he was playing cards there was a radio call for him. Radigan went to the radio and the officer on the other end told him he did the right thing and to have a good night. Then the officer hung up and that was it.

After the war Radigan decided to move to Alaska and worked for the Alyeska Pipeline as a security helicopter pilot using his flight experience gained during the Vietnam War. He loved Alaska and hunting big game and enjoyed his time in his cabin in the woods. Radigan had five children Randy Jr., Colt, Tammy, Brandie, Alison.
 
The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots association noted that Radigan, “was awarded twice the Distinguished Flying Cross with multiple oak clusters, twice the Silver Star, five times the Bronze Star, 54 Air Medals, the Air Commendation Medal, and the Purple Heart.” Radigan leaves behind an honorable military legacy as well as Alaskan legacy having flown for the Alyeska pipeline. Radigan passed away at the age of 52 on December 31, 1998.

Note: Randy G. Radigan was author Jesse Dick’s grandfather.

Further reading
“Radigan Randall G,” Vietnam Helicopter pilots association see link: https://www.vhpa.org/DAT/datR/D03051.HTM
“Cherrieswriter” Vietnam dustoff see link:https://cherrieswriter.com/2020/10/18/vietnam-dustoff/
 
 

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