Ol'Harry

INFANTRYMAN, AVIATOR, PARISHIONER -- DAN CAMIA

My interview with Dan Camia had fewer unintended consequences than his orientation flight to become a helicopter pilot.  In his words, “It did not go well.”  This should have tipped me off he was given to understatements.  After striking an uncharted power line, the helicopter went down – the instructor pilot, the enlisted observer, and Camia escaped injuries.

DAN CAMIA FIRST SERVED AS INFANTRY OFFICER

Camia, an infantry officer serving a 13-month assignment in Korea, was not dismayed.  He completed helicopter pilot training at Fort Rucker, Alabama and was soon flying combat missions in Vietnam.

CAMIA STILL KEEPS A HUEY REMINDER IN HIS HOME

“It was a tough year for us in 1968,” recalls Camia.  “At one time during the Tet Offensive, we flew 36 straight hours under heavy fire in support of a U.S. Army base in danger of being overrun by the Vietcong.” 

After 13 months in Vietnam, Camia was back at Fort Rucker – as an instructor.  While in Vietnam, he had made the decision to propose to Nancy Balboni, a Boston College School of Nursing coed he had dated all their college years.  He did – she accepted – they were married in 1969.

“I went back to Vietnam again in 1971, and commanded an Assault Helicopter Company.  We flew combat missions on a daily basis, mostly at night, and predominantly in support of Special Forces operations.”

Surprisingly, Camia’s most memorable moment of his Vietnam tours did not involve combat, “Hundreds of Vietnam civilians were marooned on an island isolated by a ravaging flood.  Typhoon conditions prohibited normal helicopter operations, but a single volunteer helicopter crew would be accepted.

That was my most gratifying mission – our crew saved over 400, mostly women and children, from certain death.  This may shock those who know 15 is the maximum capacity for a Huey, but we brought out as many as 40 at a time!”

Company commands stateside and a combat aviation battalion command in Germany followed.  Camia served in the Pentagon, as well as tours in Vicenza, Italy; Stuttgart, Germany; and two tours in Heidelberg, Germany over the remainder of his 24-year career.  He retired as a colonel.

DAN CAMIA RETIRED AS A COLONEL

Inasmuch as they were married during almost 20 years of his military career, I asked about household moves.  Nancy Camia fielded that question, “We moved 19 times in 20 years!”

Dan Camia was well decorated for his service – the Distinguished Flying Cross, “For repeatedly leading his flight of helicopters into enemy held territory including seventeen combat air assaults with five at night,” and the Soldier’s Medal, “For rescue mission under extremely dangerous conditions hazardous to his own life.” 

He also received the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, four Bronze Stars, 36 Air Medals and many other commendations.  He was authorized to wear the Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Aviator Wings (rotary & fixed wing) and Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge.

COLONEL DAN CAMIA'S AWARDS REFLECT SUPERIOR
SERVICE FOR HIS ARMY/AIR FORCE CAREER

As for medals and decorations, “While I am honored to have received these awards, I feel being an Army wife is the toughest assignment of all – Nancy is the one who deserves the highest award.  She kept our family going all those years!”

CAMIAS STAY BUSY WITH CHURCH AND CIVIC CHORES

She wasn’t into awards any more than her husband, but finally agreed, “Being a good Army wife wasn’t the easiest road.  Due to our frequent moves and raising two children, it wasn’t practical to pursue my career in nursing.  As a commanding officer’s wife, there were always entertaining and support chores that needed to be done.”

She did find time to tutor soldiers in English and math towards their GED, and teach nursing at Fayetteville Community College.

Camia, now 73, retired at Fort Bragg in 1988, and moved again – a shorter move this time, to Greensboro.  He joined Southern Importers, Inc. as regional sales manager and became chief operating officer before retiring again in 2003.

The Camias haven’t really retired, “For 13 years, we have volunteered at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center in Stoneville.”  They are active members of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Greensboro.  They have two married daughters, two wonderful sons-in-law and two grandchildren.

Per Dan Camia, “I am a 4^th Degree Knight and Faithful Navigator in the Knights of Columbus and a member of their Color Corps.”  He overlooked the blank look of a Baptist layman, but I have since looked it up – it’s as special as he makes it sound. 

Nearing the end of our interview, he wanted to tell me about the medal he valued most of all.  I guessed it would be the Soldier’s Medal, since it is such a rare award.  I was way off, “Receiving the St. Francis Medal is the highest honor of my life!”  I looked that up too, and it is also as special as he makes it sound.