Editor’s note: This tribute is one in a series of reader-submitted tributes to Vietnam War-era veterans that will be posted during April.

SERGEANT DAVID L. ERIXSON, U.S. ARMY

HOMETOWN: Silverdale, Washington, and Surprise, Arizona

BRANCH: U.S. Army

HIGHEST RANK OR GRADE ATTAINED: Sergeant

SIGNIFICANT DUTY STATIONS OR DEPLOYMENTS DURING THE VIETNAM WAR: One year tour in Vietnam with the First Air Cavalry, stationed at Vinh Long, South Vietnam. Crew chief on a UH-1H Helicopter reinforcing, resupplying and medical evacuation elements of the Ninth Infantry Division.

POST-WAR CAREER: Machine tender foreman at Container Corporation in Tacoma, Washington. He then went on to retire from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in 2008, after 27 years.