SSgt Dan Mulvihill,

then PFC Mulvihill in 1966, passed 2 years ago. 

Floyd,

Per your list of non-active emails, etc.

I wanted to pass this along.

SSgt Dan Mulvihill, then PFC Mulvihill in 1966, passed 2 years ago. I learned of this a few days ago.

He was from Chicago, like me, and around 1986 we bumped into each other at a Marine Event.

Dan was with Jimmy Howard on Howard's Hill in June, 1966. He was Howard's radioman. In 1992, when I tried to get Howard to come to Chicago for a Marine event, I tracked him down in San Diego. He said he never traveled outside of California because of his combat wounds, etc. Being the a-hole that I am - I pestered him a few more times. Finally he said, OK - but only if you find "Mo".

What is a MO, I asked. Howard said, Danny Mulvihill, he was my radioman and he turned 19 the night of the firefight.

So, it took some doing and I found Mo.

I guess Howard was like this with all his platoon - like a 2nd Father - he loved them all and engaged in Irish drinking songs whenever they suffered wounded or KIA's.

A few years after that, about 2am, I woke to a CBS overnight program still on the TV in our bedroom. The Medal of Honor Society was having its annual meeting and the newest recipients were sitting and chatting with the CBS host. They both said, wearing the Medal was more difficult than earning it. They always had to keep proper posture, positive attitude, etc. Civilians judged our military by their behavior. And the MOH Society had one of their own to guide them in this activity. It was Jimmy Howard. Both said they viewed him as their favorite uncle, one said, Howard was like my, Uncle Blaine, who always - always - was great to be around.

When Howard and Mulvihill reconnected in Chicago in 1992 it was a rare sight. Kathy, Dan's lovely wife, got a bear hug from Howard like she was his little niece. We had a great time. Picture attached.

So Howards' gone, so is Dan and so is Dan Jr., their son, who was killed by a drunk drive at 29 Palms a few years ago. Jr. was a US Marine and the Pride of the Corps and his family. The other driver was drunk.

Sad News,


Paul O.

OBITUARY
Daniel Kenneth Mulvihill
December 28, 1946 – March 5, 2022
Daniel Kenneth Mulvihill, age 75, of Yucca Valley, California passed away on Saturday, March 5, 2022. Daniel was born December 28, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois.

08/22/2022 - Jon Briel
Hanging out with "Safety Dan", Kathy, Buddy and Dawn. Started to snow and had to leave before roads were closed.

Ray Hildreth
Comrades in Arms, Hill 488, June 15-16, 1966. Photo taken July 30, 2022

Robert Aragon
Colleague
02/02/2024
Ssgt, I had the honor of serving with you in 1/7 in the 90’s. You were an amazing Marine who inspired many of us to strive to become better Marines ourselves. I will never forget junior officers reacting to your ribbons when you were in Service Charlies as you were on battalion staff duty. May you rest in peace and know that I never forgot you and I will hold your memory close now until I take my last breath. Semper Fi. R.A. Aragon Sgt, USMC

Joseph McKinley
Colleague
10/16/2023
I met Dan at CP-12 Fort Rucker Alabama 2006. He sat next to me during the entire time. He was a Marines Marine and was very proud of it but never bragged about who he was or where he had been. He carried himself with pride and was always kind and friendly to others and was there to help if you needed it. Rest in peace Dan. Semper Fidelis

Stephen Hogarth
Colleague
07/25/2023
"Hog, the Osprey will fly." I first met Dan in 1982 riding in the back of a 5-Ton in 29 Palms. I was this young, wet-behind-the-ears PFC, and sitting across from me was this really old looking PFC. At the time, I had no idea about Hill 488, and all that Dan had done during his first tour in the Corps in the '60's. From that fateful day in 29 Palms until the end of our careers, we were at the same places and times, just in different Battalions. But communicators are communicators, and we spoke the same language. One night, Dan and I shared a beer (and stories, because Dan loved to tell stories) and he looked across the table at me and said "Hog, the Osprey will fly. It is the Commandant's baby and nothing will stop it from flying." Well Dan, you were right. The Osprey is flying, and I'm sure you're piloting one somewhere, my friend. To Dan's family, I am sorry to hear about your loss and Dan's passing.

Jon Briel
Family
08/22/2022
"Where's me gold?" The one statement that, no matter the circumstances, no matter how crappy a day he was having, if he was on the phone, in his office, in the backyard, out in the training areas or at Dan and Kathy's property, it would bring an instant smile on Dan's face. And also to mine. And if I would walk into his office, stop by the house or call on the phone and say those words while doing this absolute stupid dance for him, we would laugh so much I would forget why I was even there to see him in the first place. But nothing will ever make me forget how much Dan meant to me in my life. For that, I am eternally grateful for every minute. I walked into Dan's office one day and told him "Dan, you know what I did on Sunday? I prayed for you and Kathy." Before I could even tell him why he looked at me and said "Jon, DON'T YOU EVER SAY MY NAME IN CHURCH AGAIN!! God thinks he got me in Vietnam, and if HE hears my name "What? Dan Mulvihill? I thought I got him in Vietnam?" HE is gonna come back and finish the job!! And I'm not ready!! "" Dan was so mad at me that day. I never said it again... Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear. "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha- May you rest in peace my friend Dan. Fair winds and following seas....

C S
Colleague
08/22/2022
Dan will be missed... He spent most of his career in the Marine Corps as a decorated Vietnam Veteran and as a DOD Civilian. Even though his professional achievements were many, his heartfelt contributions were in the lives of the people he invested in. He was a Marine's Marine who was willing to serve others at the expense of himself. It didn't matter who you were, he wanted to get to know you and take care of you. He had a special ability to stay positive in garrison, which probably came from overcoming great hardships in combat. Even though I knew him for a short time, he made a great impression on me.

Dan receiving his Silver Star

In Memory Of
Daniel Kenneth Mulvihill

December 28, 1946 – March 5, 2022

Silver Star
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS
DURING Vietnam War
Service: Marine Corps
Rank: Lance Corporal
Battalion: 1st Reconnaissance Battalion
Division: 1st Marine Division (Rein.), FMF
GENERAL ORDERS:
 

CITATION:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lance Corporal Daniel Kenneth Mulvihill (MCSN: 2102047), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Radioman with Company C, First Reconnaissance Battalion, FIRST Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Shortly after midnight on 16 June 1966, Lance Corporal Mulvihill's eighteen man patrol was occupying an observation post deep within enemy controlled territory in the vicinity of Chi Tu, Quang Tin Province, when a Viet Cong force of estimated battalion size crept close to the Marines' position and, on a pre-determined signal, launched a vicious attack with small arms, automatic weapons and mortar fire. Displaying extraordinary courage and presence of mind in the midst of the relentless fury, Lance Corporal Mulvihill calmly stood up and fired into suspected hostile positions, deliberately drawing the Viet Cong fire in his direction and pinpointing the enemy positions for close support aircraft which were orbiting in the area. Although he was painfully wounded in his valiant effort, he continued to assist his comrades in their stubborn defense of the hill throughout the night. He contributed in large measure to inflicting heavy losses among the attackers and helped to prevent the surviving members of his platoon from death or capture at the hands of the enemy. Lance Corporal Mulvihill's exceptional courage in the face of almost certain death was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Thanks for stopping by today...

The Battle of Hill 488

"We haven't seen each other in at least 40-years," exclaimed Peter Cetani of Yorktown, NY, left, when he brought members of his 1st Recon, delta company group: Daniel Muldihill, Stan Chronister and Mike Sheridan together for a group photo at Camp Pendleton during Recon 50, the 50th commemorative reunion of Marine Corps reconnaissance forces and supporting helicopter crews who served in Vietnam during the period from 1965 through 1971.

Hill 488