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David Buchanan Mann (Walpeese)
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Colonial Funeral Home
David Buchanan Mann, (Walpeese) went to meet his Creator on October 18, 2010. He was born May 14, 1943 (Mother's Day) to Ellen Kash Kash Mann and Jacob Joseph Mann of White Swan, Washington.
David graduated from White Swan High School in 1962. He received a degree in electronic engineering from Western States College of Engineering in Inglewood, California in 1965. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1966, served in Vietnam the following year with F Troop of the 17th Calvary (Recon) in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. He served two terms in Vietnam. He received military training in management, leadership, logistics and specialized data communication systems. He had a break in service from 1968 to 1969, served tours in Europe, South America, Southeast Asia and various countries throughout the free world. His specialty was data communications systems for the Defense Department. He received a Medical discharge in 1981. He was one of 44 veterans who served in Vietnam singled out to have his picture and story in an exhibit at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in Austin, Texas. This is a part of the "Faces of the Vietnam War" exhibit. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Overseas Service Bar, the Good Conduct Medal, and Expert Badge: M16 Rifle, and the Purple Heart. He never got to attend the ceremonies, but did get to see his picture.
At the time of his discharge, David was Sgt. 1st Class (SCF), and his last duty station was Alpha Co., CE1 Battalion, Ft. Huachuca, AZ. He was a 34Foxtrot, Data Subscriber Terminal Equipment Spec. (DSTE) Repairman.
He was selected to go back to Vietnam in 1995 as part of a recovery team - to locate graves of those who sacrificed their lives in Vietnam. He met with Vietnamese staff and coordinated efforts to locate. He was accurate in where the battles occurred and where the graves were.
David was always multi-tasking before the term was coined. He served veterans in many ways, advocating and was the State Council delegate on the Korea-Vietnam Memorial Monument Committee. He was always busy. He traveled to Australia to visit one of his Army buddies. He was talented in cabinetry, mechanics, electricity, and would readily help anyone. He served the Yakama Nation as Vice Chairman of the General Council, as well as serving as the Veteran's Affairs Officer. He was trained and certified by the VA to assist veterans seeking services.
His interests were being with friends, spending time on the home place in Medicine Valley and working at the range with his "brother" Mike Carey. He accepted God into his life, and was a member of Seventh-Day Adventist All Nations Center on West Wapato Road.
He is survived by his son(s) Jacob David Mann, Eddy and Billy McCord and one daughter, Michelle McCord. He is also survived by his siblings, Jacob Mann, Jr., of White Swan; Catherine Sampson, Julia Hill and Martha Yallup all of Toppenish, WA; and his adopted mother, Lorraine Gorski of Selah, and by seven grandchildren and by many nieces and nephews, and many adopted nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Ellen Mann, his brother James Mann, sister Ollie Oleson, and brother Baby Boy Mann; grandparents, James and Julia Kash Kash, Moses and Ella Mann.
Christian Services will be held at the Seventh-Day Adventist All Nations Center on West Wapato Road on October 20, 2010, at 8:30 am. Yakama Nation Warriors will preside as the Military Honor Guard and at the cemetery. A potluck lunch will be served at All Nations Center. The family would like to thank Dr. Moran and Dr. Daniels of Toppenish Community Hospital, and Dr. Gorsuch, Dr. Hunsaker, Dr. Sasakie, Dr. Sakura, and interns of the VA Medical Center of Portland, Oregon; and Hospice Staff of Yakima Regional Hospital, and the many special friends of the All Nations Center who provided food and support to the family and visitors. Special thanks to Danni Reche', Coordinator at VAMC, and Denise Lieb of the Vancouver VA, and Andy Suspeney of Federal Way, WA and Steve Mapel, Gig Harbor, WA. Colonial Funeral Home in Toppenish, WA is in charge of services. Viewing will be at 1 to 2 at Colonial.
