Hometown Hero

Dewald featured veteran at library program

Irving F. Dewald grew up in the small town of Espy, Pennsylvania, on the Susquehanna River. At age 16 he enlisted, with his father's permission, in the Pennsylvania National Guard's 28th Infantry Division.  After drilling with Company I for several months, Dewald who wanted a career in the military, decided the Army wasn't for him and persuaded his dad to sign for him to enlist in the Navy.
Fortunately, his National Guard company commander would not release him until the Navy guaranteed him a technical school, which they did. On Feb. 2, 1957, Dewald reported to the Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, Maryland, for basic training.  
After 16 weeks of boot camp Dewald shipped out to Norman, Oklahoma for Navy basic aviation training and then on to Naval Air Station (NAS) Memphis, Tennessee, for specialized training in aviation structural mechanic hydraulics.
His first squadron assignment was VF174 (Fighter Squadron 174) at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, which was operating as a training squadron for the Navy's newest fighter the F8U-1 Crusader.  
During his assignment to VF-174 Dewald was promoted three times, the last to petty officer 2nd class.  The VF174 assignment required several temporary duty assignments to NAS Guantanamo, Cuba to repair and maintain squadron aircraft used in training.  
The next tour was with VF84 aboard the U.S.S. Independence (CVA 62) for the Cuban Missile Crisis and two Mediterranean cruises with the 6th Fleet.
Dewald rotated to shore duty at Pawtuxet River NAS in Maryland, a weapons testing facility. When nearing the completion of his second enlistment, he saw ads for people with military aviation experience to train as Army helicopter pilots, who upon completion of training, would be warrant officers.  
To keep from losing a talented senior enlisted man, the Navy reassigned Dewald to his choice of a west coast duty station NAS North Island, California and Helicopter Support Squadron 1.  After some additional training he was assigned as the maintenance petty officer for the three helos of Detachment 31 aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Bonhomie Richard (CVA 31) making two WESPAC cruises in support of the air war in Vietnam.  During this time Detachment 31 lost two helicopters and 11 servicemen.
When the “Bonnie Dick” was about to be relieved by the U.S.S. Forrestal (CVA 59) an accidental launch of a Zuni rocket on the Forrestal's flight deck penetrated a 400-gallon aircraft fuel tank causing a fuel spill.  
The Zuni rocket warhead did not explode, but hot fragments from the burning rocket propellant ignited the JP5 under an aircraft piloted by LTCDR John S. McCain.  McCain successfully escaped from his aircraft while it was sitting on the flight deck surrounded by a fire from the jet fuel spill and ignition.
The fire set off several bombs loaded on aircraft or sitting on the flight deck, severely damaging the Forrestal's armored flight deck and penetrating down several levels.  Almost 40,000 gallons of JP5 jet fuel burned.  In the incident 134 men were killed, 161 injured, 21 aircraft were destroyed and damages to the ship exceeded $528 million  in today's money.
Dewald and his helos ferried fire fighting foam and other equipment to the Forrestal and transferred injured crewmen to the hospital ship Repose and then back to the Forrestal.  For his efforts Dewald was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with the “V” device for valor.
Dewald was then transferred to the Naval Air Training Center at Millington, Tennessee for instructor training and assigned as an instructor for the Aviation Structural Mechanic Hydraulics “A” School. He was promoted to chief petty officer.
His next duty station was with VAQ 136 (Electronic Warfare Squadron 136) Whidbey Island, Washington, which shipped out on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk (CVA 63).  VAQ136's EA6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft escorted Air Force B 52s flying bombing missions over North Vietnam.  Dewald was assigned as the petty officer in charge of the “Bingo” team which operated out of Subic Bay, Philippines, repairing squadron aircraft in a ground environment rather than the cramped confines of the carrier hanger deck.
After retirement in 1976 Dewald continued to serve, moving to Coal City in 1980. He has served on the Village Board, park board, and is currently a member of the Planning and Zoning Board.  He is a member of the American Legion and senior vice commander of St. Juvin Post 1336 Veterans of Foreign Wars, and is the Post's alternate delegate to the Grundy County Veteran's Assistance Commission.
 In 2017, he received a Congressional Commendation from Congressman Adam Kinzinger for his service to his fellow citizens in both military and civilian life.
Dewald's uniform and memorabilia are on display at the entrance to the Coal City Public Library, 85 N. Garfield St. It was during a library and VFW sponsored  Hometown Hero presentation last week that Dewald shared his military history and service stories.