Captain Mark Giles Danielson

Danielson’s Early Years

In the city of Rangely, Colorado Mark Giles Danielson made his way into this world the 29th of April in the year 1943. Throughout his elementary years he was educated in the local city school system. In high school Danielson proved to be an avid sports participant. He lettered in football, basketball and track. Danielson could be found off the field as well, such as when he served as the assistant coach for the girls’ softball team. Although passionate about sports, Danielson did not ignore the importance of academia. Each year he held a record of perfect attendance as well as obtaining a place on the honor role with an average GPA of 3.0. This combination of qualities created a well liked young man, which was demonstrated in the positions his peers elected him into. Danielson presided over the Western Colorado Student Council as president; he held various class offices and was awarded his school’s citizenship award. Besides school, Danielson enjoyed scouting. He began as a Cub Scout and progressed to Boy Scouts, Explorers and finally Air-Explorer Scouts.

Danielson’s Career Education

Danielson began college at Colorado State University in the fall of 1961. At CSU, he participated in Arnold Air Society and was a member of the first-place Saber Air Command Drill Team. In 1966 Danielson transferred to the University of Northern Colorado. It was there that he received a Bachelor’s degree in science and named Honor Cadet of Air Force ROTC. After commissioning he attended navigator school at Mather Field, California. At the commencement of his training there he was promoted to a 1st Lieutenant. Danielson was then promoted to Captain and sent to electronic warfare school in Pope Field, North Carolina. Lastly, he received flight school training at Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas.

Danielson’s Service

During the Vietnam War Captain Danielson served as the electronic warfare officer on an AC-130 Gunship; he was part of a crew of fifteen men. On the 18th of June in 1972 their plane was hit by a surface-to-air missile. As a result, they went down somewhere over the Shau Valley in South Vietnam. The next day three survivors were recovered from the wreckage. The remaining twelve of the crew, including Danielson, were listed as missing in action.