PAYING THE ULTIMATE PRICE: Dan Bullock Youngest American Killed in Vietnam at Age 15

Falsified his birth certificate and enlisted in the Marines at age 14

Bullock enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on September 18, 1968, at age 14. He falsified the date on his birth certificate to read December 21, 1949, so he could pass as 18 years old and died in combat at age 15 on June 7, 1969.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – On Memorial Day, it is incumbent upon us to reflect on all of those that sacrificed their lives so that we may enjoy our freedom, living in the best country on the planet.

With the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall recently at Wickham Park in Melbourne, it got me thinking about all of those that sacrificed their lives during that war.

I started thinking about who was the youngest American to die in Vietnam. After a little research, I found out it was Dan Bullock, who died at age 15.

As Chip Hanson, Chaplain, Rolling Thunder Florida Chapter 1, said during the Memorial Day Ceremony, recently held at Erdman Automotive, “In World War II, George Patton looked out over his troops and said, It is foolish and wrong to mourn those that died, rather we should thank God that they lived.”

Today, Memorial Day, we thank God for Dan Bullock and all Americans that have given their lives for our freedom.

The story below is taken from the American Veterans Memorial Fund.

Article By: American Veterans Memorial Fund

Dan Bullock was born on December 21, 1953, in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He moved to Brooklyn, New York with his family as a teenager following his mother’s death. Unsatisfied with his living situation in New York and discouraged by a lack of opportunity, he went searching for a more promising future.

When he was just 14 years old, Bullock walked into a U.S. Marine Corps recruitment station. He falsified the date on his birth certificate to read December 21, 1949, so he could pass as 18 years old. Bullock enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on September 18, 1968. His family was unaware of his decision until he came home with papers in his hand.

Bullock was able to successfully complete boot camp in Parris, Island, South Carolina, and he arrived in Vietnam on May 18, 1969. He was stationed at An Hoa Combat Base in Quang Nam Province and was assigned the task of rifleman to Fox Company, Second Battalion, Fifth Marine Regiment.

Bullock was large in stature, but despite his size, he was a boy in every regard. He kept to himself, and his comrades took notice. Cpl. Steve Piscitelli, who also served with the Second Platoon of Fox Company, picked up on Bullock’s reserved nature and felt it necessary to take him under his wing.

On June 7, 1969, Bullock was killed by small arms fire while on night watch at An Hoa combat base. He was 15 years old and had been in-country nearly one month. He was the youngest American service member to be killed in the Vietnam War.

In a New York Times story, Bullock’s father had said his son had hopes to become a pilot or a firefighter. While he insisted his son get an education, Bullock stated that signing up was the quickest way to get an education.

Bullock is buried in his hometown of Goldsboro, North Carolina. In 2003, a portion of Lee Avenue in Brooklyn was renamed for him. A highway historical marker commemorating his service and sacrifice was unveiled in Goldsboro in 2017.

The name of Dan Bullock is inscribed on Panel 23W, Line 96 of The Wall in Washington, D.C.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 24 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.

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