The 35th Infantry Regiment Association salutes our fallen brother, SP4 Danny Wayne Jeter, who died in the service of his country on December 25th, 1967 in Quang Ngai, Vietnam. The cause of death was listed as Friendly Fire, Short 4.2 Round. At the time of his death Danny was 19 years of age. He was from Riverside, California. Danny is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Panel 32E, Line 057.
The decorations earned by SP4 Danny Wayne Jeter include: the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.
(Danny was attached to C, 2/35th from his parent unit, C Battery, 2/9th Artillery)
(Following From a Virtual Wall Post)
Danny Jeter was a friend of mine at Ramona High School in Riverside, CA. He was one of the first people who was ever friendly to me there. I remember skipping first period class, piling into his black, 40's era coupe and heading down to the local doughnut shop where the "cool and tough" guys would hang out. I was neither cool nor tough, but Danny was at ease with everyone and if I was with him, it was OK. Danny was good with his hands, worked on cars, but was not the world's greatest student. We used to have long talks about life, especially about the Vietnam war, which was heating up pretty quickly in those days, and what was going to happen to us. I think it was pretty clear to him that he would end up in the service sooner than later. I had intentions of going to college, but I was still worried about the draft. I can still remember him saying, "don't worry, Bob, you're smart--you'll make it, you'll be all right..." I used to feel a strange sense of guilt over that, as if he knew he would end up in Vietnam and I wouldn't. (As it turns out, he was right--I did go to college, and am also a Vietnam Era Veteran {Air Force} but did not serve in Southeast Asia.) I remember being a freshman in college and finding out from an LA news broadcast on Christmas Day of 1967, "only one Southern California casuality, today, Danny Jeter of Riverside." I can still feel the state of shock I was in as I watched the news. I never knew the details of Danny's death until I read the remembrance by Colonel George. I must admit, it's very disturbing to find out that he and nine buddies were killed by friendly fire while trying to celebrate Christmas. I guess I always had a more noble scenario in mind, some heroic act worthy of being portrayed by a movie star. Still, I can only imagine what it must have felt like to then-Lieutenant George and the others in his company for their Christmas to be interrupted in such a horrific way. I don't think that there is a week that goes by that I don't think about Danny and what a great guy he was, so positive and outgoing and a friend to all. As I write this, it's Memorial Day and that makes my memories even stronger. This past year my 14 year-old son went on a school trip to Washington DC, and I asked him to make a rubbing for me from the Wall of Danny's name, which I'm happy to say he was able to do. I'm proud to have called you my friend, Danny, and I'll never forget you. God Bless you in heaven.
Posted By:
Robert J. Murphy, 5835 Normandie Place, Riverside, CA 92504
rmurphy7518@gmail.com
Monday, May 28, 2001
Relationship: We were high school classmates
(From his Obituary)
Danny Wayne Jeter of Riverside was killed in combat in Vietnam on Christmas morning the Department of Defense announced yesterday. He was 19.
Born in Corpus Christi, Texas on September 8, 1948, Jeter attended Chemawa Junior High School and Ramona High School in Riverside. During his high school years, Jeter’s chief interest was hunting, camping, and fishing. He graduated from Ramona in June, 1966 and on September 8 of that year, his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Following Basic Training at Fort Ord, Jeter was sent to Germany. In Germany, Jeter volunteered for duty in Vietnam.
After completing his service, Jeter planned to obtain his college degree and then work for the telephone company.
Danny was buried in Crestlawn Cemetery, Riverside, California.
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