Daniel Sowonik: ‘All gave some and some gave all’

By Mallory Pistek, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interview Volunteer

Daniel Edward Sowonik was born on October 16, 1947. For the first 14 years of his life (as an only child) Daniel lived in a small town in Wisconsin, north of Wisconsin Dells, with his parents and grandparents. There, his family co-owned a resort. Daniel recalls enjoying this time in his life until his grandparents decided that they wanted to sell the family business. Thinking back, he wished his dad would have kept up with the business as he believes he would still be living there today if that was the case. However, Daniel and his family moved to Chicago.  

Daniel ended up going to Morgan Park High School where he graduated in 1965.  While in high school, Daniel recalls being a really good athlete (he played both baseball and football) as well as being a good student as he said he ‘went after what he wanted.’  Daniel does remember hating English class though. To get it done and over with, he took his English classes in summer school and ended up only needing to take two classes his senior year.

After high school Daniel went to Barber School and then took a job working for his cousin (who owned a shop) in Lemont. When the draft was issued, Daniel went for a physical and was classified as 1A (before birthdays were assigned a number, as happened later in the war). Daniel (who was 20 at the time) remembers being in Wisconsin, fishing with family, when he got his draft letter.  He mostly remembers that the letter started with ‘Greetings!’

Back in Chicago, Daniel went down to the draft center. The gentleman who was questioning him asked, “has your health changed at all since your last physical?” Daniel answered no and remembers the man stamping his paper with the words ‘CONGRATULATIONS’ and telling him he was joining the Army.

As an only child, Daniels parents were none too happy that he was drafted into the Army and most likely headed to Vietnam. He even remembers his dad trying to pull some strings to get him out of his mandatory service. Daniel stated that he told his dad “he was going.”

Daniel did his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  He remembers basic training being tough. After basic training, Daniel was sent to Fort Polk, Louisiana to receive special forces training for Infantry.  Daniel remembers this being called “Tigerland” and all of the swamps and snakes.  He remembers his commanders telling him that “this was the moment of truth.”  He also remembers being told, “good luck to you all. You are all going, but you all aren’t coming back.” Although they were tough, Daniel credits their training with keeping him alive while in Vietnam.

Daniel was sent to Vietnam via a commercial airplane. He recalled that a friend in the Marines had to take a ship, which took weeks. Before leaving, Daniel was told by his Uncle Leo who had served during WWII at Iwo Jima, not to volunteer for any jobs. However, once off the plane, Daniel and nine other soldiers were pulled aside and given orders to load fallen soldiers onto the plane to be sent back home. While Daniel says that there are too many memories to pick a most powerful one from his time in the service, this moment definitely sticks out as something he will never forget.

Daniel spent his first few weeks in Vietnam in Cam Rahn Bay continuing his training. The first night he was there, he remembers taking fire from the enemy. The men who just arrived were told to take cover in barracks as none of them had yet to be issued a weapon. Daniel remembers a young man (only 19) who was looking out the window and was mortally hit. This was Daniel’s first time seeing a life lost. Daniel recalls the hardest part of this memory was that he “didn’t even know his name.”

A few weeks after arriving, Daniel was taken by C310 to Camp Radcliff where he served on Green Line Duty (two soldiers each in every tower protecting the perimeter of the base.) Daniel also served at Camp Evans where he remembers taking fire every night from the enemy.  Two moments that Daniel recalls from his time serving were the sounds the bullets made when hitting the helicopters when landing and a time in the A Sau Valley where the catholic priest gave a blessing BEFORE heading in to fight and stated, “will I meet God today? If so, I am ready.”

Because Daniel was older than most of the men who had been drafted, he remembers being told to ‘take care’ of them. While difficult, Daniel fondly remembers the friends he made while serving.  He has a particular story with his friend Joe, who he remembers being the ‘jokester.’ Daniel remembers that he and the guys used to make fun of Joe because he had such a big head. One day, Daniel saw, from across a field, Joe get shot in the head while wearing his helmet that never fit correctly. Without thinking and with no weapon of his own, Daniel ran across the field and dragged Joe out of the fire fight. Daniel remembers taking Joe’s helmet off, and Joe (who was barley bleeding) say to him, “boy do I have a f****** headache.” Daniel also talked about how seeing the world from Australia to Singapore, to Hong Kong, and Bangkok were memories from his service he would not forget.

When Daniel’s time in Vietnam was over, he flew back to the states via Washington. He remembers people yelling and their harsh words towards the soldiers.  He also remembers that this was the most organized the Army had ever been. He was given his papers, his medals and even told he could have a steak on them.  Daniel stated that he just wanted to “get the hell out of there and go home.”

Back in Chicago, he surprised both of his parents with his arrival.  He first went to see his dad who worked at the Johnson and Johnson factory. He showed the receptionist his military ID and they called his dad from the back.  He then went and surprised his mom at work next.

Daniel decided to opt out of the service after two years, which he now recalls as a dumb thing to do.  After working for ADT, Daniel retired to spend time with his wife, Paulette (they are celebrating their 49th wedding anniversary this year) and his three sons.  He now also has six grandkids who he enjoys spending time with as well.  Two years after retiring however, he joined another family business, as a vendor for the Chicago Cubs. He says the best part of working the job was the concerts!

Daniel served from 7/1/1967 to 8/2/1969 and overseas from 1/1/1968 to 1/1/1969. His key battles included the Tet Offensive and Operation Pegasus.  Daniel received the Marksman M-16, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, Vietnam Service Medal, 2 Overseas Bars, ATP 21-114, Good Conduct Medal Combat Infantry Badge, 2 Purple Hearts, Silver Star, Bronze -Star- Unit Citation.

Unfortunately, when Daniel arrived at O’Hare from Washington, his duffle bag had been stolen. Years later, without his knowledge, his sons took his DD-214 form and got all his medals and certificates. They then made it into a plaque to surprise him.

When asked to reflect on his service, Daniel stated, “All gave some and some gave all.”

Daniel could not be more excited about his Honor Flight on the 19th. When he received the call that he was going, he broke down.  He knows this will be a day he never forgets.

Thank you for your service Daniel. Enjoy your Honor Flight!