37th President. Typed letter signed “Richard Nixon”, July 22, 1975, personal San Clemente, California stationery, to the widow of Marine David Allen Vandal, in full:
My heart goes out to you at this time of the grievous loss of your husband in the tragic accident at Camp Pendleton last week.
I only wish that the effects of the medical evacuation and medical teams, for which we radioed immediately when the Secret Service detail and I arrived at the scene, could have been successful in saving his life, as they desperately tried to do.
No words, I know, are adequate to relieve the sorrow and grief it is your burden to bear. However, I hope you can take comfort in the fact that your husband was serving with honor in what I consider to be our Nation’s finest military organization, the United States Marines.
Mrs. Nixon joins me in this expression of our deepest sympathy.
In 1975, Richard Nixon was out of the presidency. He frequently played golf at Camp Pendleton near his home. On July 18th, 1975 while returning from a round of golf at Pendleton, his limo approached a head on collision on the highway. There were several severely injured marines, and Nixon instructed the secret service agents to stop and render aid over their objections.
According to the New York Times, the former president took command, using communication equipment he had to contact emergency medical aid. It was said that Nixon called the base commander the next day to check on the Marine's fate. After learning they had perished, Nixon wrote to their widows, expressing condolences.
SGT David Allen Vandal was from Chehalis, WA and the letter was originated from his estate along with some items from his time as a Marine. Included in this lot are:
Original letter from Richard Nixon to Mrs. David Allen Vandal dated July 22nd 1975.
Marine Cover marked D.A. VANDAL (moth damage)
Metal Marine Sergeant insignia
Metal Marine Staff Sergeant insignia
Two Ribbon bars, one missing some ribbon as shown
Marine Rifle Sharpshooter pocket badge
Metal U.S. Marine Corps pin
Marine Corp Good Conduct medal
National Defense medal
Below is a transcript of the New York Times article on the event.
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., July 18 (AP)—Former President Richard M. Nixon happened upon an auto accident here and spent an hour directing unsuccessful efforts to save the lives of three marines, his son‐in‐law Edward F. Cox said today.
Mr. Cox said that the head‐on collision had occurred about two minutes before a car carrying Mr. Nixon, his daughter Tricia and Mr. Cox, her husband, arrived at the scene yesterday afternoon. They were returning from the camp golf course.
Mr. Cox said that Secret Service agents had intended to pass the accident because their first concern was protecting the former President.
“But the President saw the accident and said right away, ‘Stop, stop the car.’ ” Mr. Cox said in a telephone interview. He said that a warrant officer had been directing the rescue operation and Mr. Nixon had asked him, “Can we give you any help? We've got first aid equipment.”
“Yes, sir. We sure can use that,” the officer replied, according to Mr. Cox.
He said that Mr. Nixon had then taken charge and had ordered Secret Service agents to call for a medical evacuation helicopter. He said that everyone had worked at getting two badly injured marines out of one of the cars. The marine in the other car appeared to be dead, Mr. Cox said.
He said that Mr. Nixon had called the camp commander “the first thing in the morning” to learn of the Marines' fate.
The dead marines were identified as Sgt. David A. Vandal, 28 years old, of nearby Oceanside: Cpl. Ramiro A. Delgado, Jr., 20, of San Antonio, Tex., and Sgt. Larry W. Grise, 24, of San Clemente.
The accident took place on the northwest edge of Camp Pendleton, about 10 miles from Mr. Nixon's home at San Clemente.
A spokesman at Camp Pendleton said that it was “fairly common” for Mr. Nixon to be on the base, where golf facilities have been made available to him.
37th President. Typed letter signed “Richard Nixon”, July 22, 1975, personal San Clemente, California stationery, to the widow of Marine David Allen Vandal, in full:
My heart goes out to you at this time of the grievous loss of your husband in the tragic accident at Camp Pendleton last week.
I only wish that the effects of the medical evacuation and medical teams, for which we radioed immediately when the Secret Service detail and I arrived at the scene, could have been successful in saving his life, as they desperately tried to do.
No words, I know, are adequate to relieve the sorrow and grief it is your burden to bear. However, I hope you can take comfort in the fact that your husband was serving with honor in what I consider to be our Nation’s finest military organization, the United States Marines.
Mrs. Nixon joins me in this expression of our deepest sympathy.
In 1975, Richard Nixon was out of the presidency. He frequently played golf at Camp Pendleton near his home. On July 18th, 1975 while returning from a round of golf at Pendleton, his limo approached a head on collision on the highway. There were several severely injured marines, and Nixon instructed the secret service agents to stop and render aid over their objections.
According to the New York Times, the former president took command, using communication equipment he had to contact emergency medical aid. It was said that Nixon called the base commander the next day to check on the Marine's fate. After learning they had perished, Nixon wrote to their widows, expressing condolences.
SGT David Allen Vandal was from Chehalis, WA and the letter was originated from his estate along with some items from his time as a Marine. Included in this lot are:
Original letter from Richard Nixon to Mrs. David Allen Vandal dated July 22nd 1975.
Marine Cover marked D.A. VANDAL (moth damage)
Metal Marine Sergeant insignia
Metal Marine Staff Sergeant insignia
Two Ribbon bars, one missing some ribbon as shown
Marine Rifle Sharpshooter pocket badge
Metal U.S. Marine Corps pin
Marine Corp Good Conduct medal
National Defense medal
Below is a transcript of the New York Times article on the event.
CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., July 18 (AP)—Former President Richard M. Nixon happened upon an auto accident here and spent an hour directing unsuccessful efforts to save the lives of three marines, his son‐in‐law Edward F. Cox said today.
Mr. Cox said that the head‐on collision had occurred about two minutes before a car carrying Mr. Nixon, his daughter Tricia and Mr. Cox, her husband, arrived at the scene yesterday afternoon. They were returning from the camp golf course.
Mr. Cox said that Secret Service agents had intended to pass the accident because their first concern was protecting the former President.
“But the President saw the accident and said right away, ‘Stop, stop the car.’ ” Mr. Cox said in a telephone interview. He said that a warrant officer had been directing the rescue operation and Mr. Nixon had asked him, “Can we give you any help? We've got first aid equipment.”
“Yes, sir. We sure can use that,” the officer replied, according to Mr. Cox.
He said that Mr. Nixon had then taken charge and had ordered Secret Service agents to call for a medical evacuation helicopter. He said that everyone had worked at getting two badly injured marines out of one of the cars. The marine in the other car appeared to be dead, Mr. Cox said.
He said that Mr. Nixon had called the camp commander “the first thing in the morning” to learn of the Marines' fate.
The dead marines were identified as Sgt. David A. Vandal, 28 years old, of nearby Oceanside: Cpl. Ramiro A. Delgado, Jr., 20, of San Antonio, Tex., and Sgt. Larry W. Grise, 24, of San Clemente.
The accident took place on the northwest edge of Camp Pendleton, about 10 miles from Mr. Nixon's home at San Clemente.
A spokesman at Camp Pendleton said that it was “fairly common” for Mr. Nixon to be on the base, where golf facilities have been made available to him.
