More detail on this person: Don Fite's Army tenure was 1961-1987. Although he was an artilleryman, his true calling came in the form of an Army aviator. Don served two tours in Vietnam (1965-66 and 1968-69) and was awarded the DFC, Bronze Star, numerous Air Medals, as well as Vietnam medals. Later he received ARCOMs/MSMs and the Legion of Merit award. He earned his Master Aviator badge. His first 'Nam tour included numerous Huey medevac missions, and between 'Nam tours he devised hands-on maintenance training for both Hueys and Chinooks at the Ft. Rucker Aviation Center. During the second 'Nam tour he became an OJT maintenance officer for Chinooks. After Vietnam tours he served as company commander for Chinook, then Cobra aircraft at Ft. Campbell. Following tours in the Pentagon and MILPERCEN, he became 19th aviation battalion commander in Korea for Chinooks and Hueys, where they achieved the highest-ever operational readiness in that combat-alert situation. Throughout his career he was rated in and flew the OH-23 Raven, UH-1 Huey, CH-47 Chinook, AH-1 Cobra and the OH-598 Kiowa. One of Don's major contributions to Army aviation was after the Vietnam War ended: There was still a large aviation budget, and other Army branches were maneuvering within the Pentagon to gain access to it. However, while assigned to the Pentagon, he and another Army aviator (COL Bill Crouch) blocked those efforts, maintained the aviation budget, and led the initiative to establish Aviation as an official branch of the Army - thus keeping Aviation in the forefront of our modern Army. Don Fite: A true patriot and Army aviator.
This information was last updated 03/26/2026
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 04/18/2026
Copyright © 1998 - 2026 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association