David Mann

David Mann served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1974 and retired at the rank of Sergeant.

Most notably, Mr. Mann was a Combat Engineer in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. In October 1968 and February 1969, he became the recipient of two Purple Hearts for missions in South Vietnam. He has also been awarded three Army Commendations with “V” devices for heroism. Along with those honors, former Governor Mario Cuomo presented him with the Conspicuous Service Medal in 1985.

Two years after graduating high school, Mr. Mann was drafted into the Army in 1968. His Basic Training was completed at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, and he finished his Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. While in Vietnam, Mr. Mann served as a Machine Gunner for his company, as well as the battalion commanders. He then underwent training as an AVLB driver and an APC operator for the portable bridge deployment unit of the Army’s 9th Infantry Division.

Mr. Mann dropped bridges five times for several mechanized units in the Mekong Delta. While in the Ben Tre Province, his track was demolished. This S&D mission was the reason Mr. Mann received his second Purple Heart. Several years later, he was honorably discharged in May 1974, with a rank of SGT E-5.

For 10 years, Mr. Mann has acted as the Chaplain for AL Post 269 in Patchogue, New York. He became a Life Member there this past September, and he also boasts a Life Membership with Patchogue’s VFW Post-2913.

Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on November 22, 1947, Mr. Mann commuted to and from his grandparents’ residence on Long Island. In 1966, he graduated from Port Jefferson’s Earl L. Vandermeulen High School. Besides his military honors, Mr. Mann is also blessed to be a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Due to his military service, Mr. Mann has experienced PTSD. Additionally, his exposure to Agent Orange in South Vietnam created physical complications for his eldest daughter, Tori, who passed away at 51 years old. Despite those trials, Mr. Mann’s family preserves a strong connection. Most impressively, next year will mark 50 years of being together with his beloved wife, Kathi.