Ronald Albert Greenwald, U.S. Army, 1966 - 68

Ronald Albert Greenwald was named for his maternal uncle Ronald Dick. He was Dakhl’aweidí (Killerwhale Clan) from the “Killerwhale Chasing Seal House” in Angoon, Alaska and was a child of the T’akhdeintaan (Black Legged Kittiwake Clan) of Hoonah.

He lived in Hoonah during his childhood and after the family moved to Washington state he spent his summers fishing in SE Alaska with many of his Hoonah friends.  He attended High School in La Conner, Washington, a community of Tulalip farms and fishing boats. He graduated in 1962 and was an outstanding athlete.  Mr. Greenwald enlisted in the Army in 1966.  He did not have to serve and could not be drafted as he was the sole surviving son of his parents, however his patriotism was very important to him.

Mr. Greenwald’s tour in Vietnam began April 9, 1967.  He corresponded with his family and friends and was always very happy to receive the cookies, cakes and banana bread his sister, Bertha (Greenwald) Franulovich would send him.  His friends were happy too, as he was very generous in his sharing!

Ron Greenwald was a helicopter gunner and became a casualty on February 12, 1968, in Thua Thien, South Vietnam during the Tet Offensive.  His death was listed as “hostile ground casualty multiple fragmentation wounds.”

A fellow soldier, Tyrone Parker wrote of Mr. Greenwald “Ronald and I were together when Ronald was killed, and I was hurt… Ronald was a good man always followed orders. He and I and Roach and another were all together when this incident happened. I only hope that when my time comes that we all will meet again in heaven. I pray for them all.”

Another fellow veteran and childhood friend, Hoonah Veteran George Bennet wrote of Ron “This was a kind gentle man, who loved his people of Hoonah, where his family also comes from, he is part Tlingit Indian from that community here in Southeast Alaska, he is one of the many who served in Vietnam... he was the only sole surviving son of the family, that didn't have to be there.”