Walter George Drago - U.S. Army 1968-71
Walter George Drago - U.S. Army 1968-71, Georgia National Guard 1971-2002
Walter George Drago (George) served as a OV-1 Mohawk pilot assigned to the 225th Aviation Company Aerial Surveillance at Phu Hep, Vietnam. During his one-year tour of duty in Vietnam George flew 221 missions primarily in II Corps as well as flying photographic missions in Cambodia. "Our unofficial motto was kind of unarmed, alone, and afraid. You know, we're out there, particularly over in Laos and Cambodia. I always flew with two radios on me and had a radio in the survival kit in the ejection seat. I said, if I'm lucky enough to get out, then I'll sit under a bush until somebody comes to get me." Luckily George never had to eject from his aircraft.
In January on 1971 George received the Distinguished Flying Cross for locating a downed CH-47 which saved four of the crew. "I didn't think anybody survived because it had burned up. The battalion commander was leading the search and rescue from the local side, so I told them where it was. And they found four crew members out of the seven that were still alive."
After the war George joined the Georgia National Guard and counted to fly Mohawks eventually serving at West Point and in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. George's training in the Army prepared him for a 33-year year career as a pilot for Federal Express.
In 2013 George was inducted into the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame. "It meant a lot to be recognized. You know, Vietnam guys weren't treated really well. It was come home, take off your uniform, and just go on. Yeah, it's nice to be recognized, finally."
