Vietnam War veterans kept their heads down long after the war was over. Honoring heroes was often reduced to placing orders in the veteran's file, authorizing the award.
Dakota County Veterans Service Officers occasionally discover veterans who earned awards for heroism or valor, but who had never been recognized. When they suggest holding an awards ceremony, veterans often dismiss the idea by saying something like, "It was a long time ago."
After talking with a Veterans Service Officer, one veteran recognized that his unpresented awards symbolized the unrecognized sacrifices that all service members and their families made in service to the nation.
With the hope that the presentation of the awards would honor all who have served, Tim Callister agreed that the orders that had been confined to a file for 40 years should be taken out and read. Former State Senator Jim Carlson will present Tim with The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star and other awards on Wednesday, Dec. 29 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in room 520 at the Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road W., West St. Paul. Joining Tim for the presentation are Barbara, his wife; Jill, his college-aged daughter; and Gale, his father.
The Distinguished Flying Cross is one of the military's highest awards. When Tim earned the award he wasn't allowed to tell anyone where he was or what he was doing because United States' operations in Cambodia were classified. Tim flew a Huey helicopter gunship to provide fire support for a transport chopper as it extracted a long-range reconnaissance patrol.
It happened on Aug. 24, 1970. He was placing "highly accurate rocket fire into the treeline surrounding the scout team." While his helicopter was being hit by small arms and automatic weapons fire, he continued to fire rockets into enemy positions until the team was safely extracted.
After Vietnam, Tim finished his military service in Texas and then went back to finish his college degree. He later served in the Minnesota Army National Guard. Perhaps aviation was in his blood. He went on to become the airport director for the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport where he retired after 30 years of service. He is now working as a consultant. Tim lives with his wife Barbara in Eagan.