Final Ride Report – Maj. Ben Danielson – MIA / KIA Vietnam – 15 JUN 07

On December 5, 1969, Capt. Danielson’s aircraft, an F-4C Phantom Jet, was shot down over Mu Gia Pass in Laos. The attempt to rescue him, now know as the “Rescue of Boxer 22” can be officially know as one of the largest airborne Search & Rescue in history. Over the course of 51 hours, our armed forces provided almost 500 sorties and unfortunately sacrificed the life of Airman 1st Class David Davison. While 1LT Woody Bergeron was rescued, Capt. Danielson was not. Capt. Danielson was posthumously awarded the rank of Major.

Maj. Danielson’s son, Lt. Cmdr Brian Danielson traveled to Laos with the Joint MIA/POW Accounting Command in March of 2006 to visit the excavation site, and Maj. Danielson’s remains were flown back to Kenyon, MN on May 17, 2007. Maj. Danielson was repatriated on June 15, 2007.

The day started off with a quick stop in Zumbrota to pick up a special guest, Harriet. She is an injured Bald Eagle that lives at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha. Her handler, Bob Snitgen, a Vietnam Vet, asked to participate in the day’s events. After a quick ride around Kenyon, we stopped at the Kenyon VFW. We double-checked that everything was still as planned and then headed down to the Kenyon-Wanamingo High School. We got everything in order, and waited for the bikes to start rolling in, and boy did they ever. We had two large groups come from East and West metro. Along with the rest of the riders, we had approximately 185 bikes, 10 cages and well over 250 riders. We were also joined by the In-Country Vets M/C and the local Rolling Thunder Chapter. Due to the complicated schedule, I started with a quick pre-briefing with all the leadership in attendance. Once that was complete, we ran through the day’s itinerary with the rest of the riders. Once complete, Diane Kinney led us in a prayer for this day’s very special Honor Mission.

Once the briefing was complete, I sent out our selected group of Flag Bikes to the Hanson Funeral Home. The Flag Bikes would be the Danielson Family’s personal escort to the Military Services. With an escort by the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Dept, we headed through Kenyon past the Hanson Funeral Home to pick up the hearse and Danielson Family and head out of town to the Holden Lutheran Church. What a ride that was. Every intersection we encountered was graciously blocked by the Kenyon Volunteer Fire Dept. and MN State Patrol. A great big thanks goes out to them for providing us safe passage through town.

As we arrived out at Holden Church, everyone parked as required and made the jaunt to the church parking lot, where flag lines were formed. With a little tweaking, we where ready for the Hearse and Danielson Family arrival. Several family members told me they were very surprised and in awe as they came over the final hill and saw all the Flags waving behind the glisten of the bikes in the sun. What a sight, I am sure.

I was also later told that when the Flag Bikes, Hearse, and Danielson Family arrived, a Bald Eagle circled the church parking lot, before continuing on with its journey. I honestly think someone was looking down on us.

We held our flag line as the casket was brought into the church and all guests entered the church. As the service began, we took a much-needed break from the sun and heat. Again, the Kenyon VFW was there with cold water and such for our riders to stay hydrated. I saw several of the riders intermingling with the dozen or so VFW & A/L Color Guards in attendance, and of coarse paying a visit to Harriet, the bald Eagle.

Midway through the service, Monica Mead (State Co-Captain), Greg Turgeon (Rochester ARC), and I entered the church to present our plaques to the Danielson Family. After several speakers, it was our turn to present our plaques to the Danielson family. Thankfully, Monica took to the microphone as I presented one of the plaques to Mary Danielson-Gates, Major Danielson’s widow. I read the inscription as best I could, but the church seemed to get very misty at that time, maybe it was just me. Mary asked for a hug, and of coarse I couldn’t pass that up. Then, I gave Mary a ‘Mission Accomplished’ Pin from my vest. She graciously accepted it, and asked for a 2nd pin for her mother-in-law, of coarse I obliged. While I was consumed with Mary, Monica read the inscription on the plaque and then presented it to Brian Danielson, along with a 2nd ‘Mission Accomplished’ Pin. I was still a bit misty eyed as we walked to the back of the church, but the applause and thank you from the family and congregation was overwhelming. I was told later, that Mary and Brian stepped into the aisle and applauded as we walked out. Wow! At a time when the Danielson Family is mourning the loss of their Husband, Father, and Son, they so graciously thanked us for the small part that we played that day. What a humbling experience this day truly was.

Our riders again amaze me, as our leadership was about to pass on the word to re-establish the flag-lines, everyone was already starting to re-form the lines. As this was happening, we could see and hear the Air Force planes flying overhead as they staged for their fly-over. Even at several thousand feet, this was an amazing sight to behold. When the planes started their fly-over, everyone’s heads turned to witness this spectacular event. First, there was a four-plane formation, and as they were just about to pass over us, one of the planes kicked in the afterburners and shot nearly straight up. As the thunder roared overhead, we all watched the glow of the afterburners disappear into the atmosphere. This is a site I will never, ever forget. Typically for me, Taps opens up the spigots, but today, things changed at that very moment. Several minutes later, the Navy fly-over with two War-Hogs shot overhead. Again, what a wonderful sight and feeling this was, and yet again, a bit misty.

As the bells of the church rang to announce the completion of the services, everyone stepped up and was ready as the casket and family began their procession outside to the hearse. The Color and Honor Guards snapped to attention in their own honor and respect. As the flag was being folded, a speaker read a great story about Old Glory. Absolutely inspiring. The flag was presented to Mary and another flag was presented to Maj. Danielson’s mother. The crisp snap of the 21-gun salute and the ever-wavering taps followed.

We held our flag-line until the Danielson Family was in their vehicles ready to depart. We hurriedly broke our lines, packed up, and mounted our bikes for the procession back to Kenyon. Again the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Dept. lead our escort back into Kenyon. This escort was much slower, as we had the Flag Bikes at the end of the procession. Once in town, we circled around to meet the family at the VFW for one last walking procession to the Hanson Funeral Home. This was lead by all the Color Guard in Attendance. We quickly parked and headed to form another Honor Line along the 1-block procession.

Once this was complete, I called everyone over for a quick note. I thanked everyone for a job well done, and how the MN PG made an incredible impact on the Danielson Family, POW/MIA and Veterans communities, and the town of Kenyon. Springer thanked me for my efforts, and all I could muster was that it was truly my honor to be a part of one of his brothers coming home.

The VFW invited all the PGR over for refreshments and the best hog roast I have every had. This was a great time to talk with fellow riders, Color and Honor Guard Members, and members of the SAR Mission 38 years prior. What a great way to end the day. I know this will not be the last time I will visit the town of Kenyon, as next time I’m out for a quick ride, Kenyon will be on the route!

Thanks for doing the right thing!

(@) PGR National Thread

(@) Thank you letter

(@) Boxxer 22 Site

(@) Videos of the mission have been posted on Youtube. Please search 'A Vietnam Pilot Comes Home" (@) Videos of the mission have been posted on Youtube. Please search 'A Vietnam Pilot Comes Home"

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Craig Ugland
Ride Captain - Rochester Sector
Senior Ride Captain - Southern MN