On June 27, 2020, Vietnam War U.S. Marine Corps veteran PFC David Catania was honored with merit citations from Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Maryland State Sen. Christopher Van Hollen at Yingling-Ridgely VFW Post 7472. The presenter was Josh Marks of Francis Scott Key Squadron 11 and associate member of LCpl Robert W. Deane Detachment #770. Attendees included Past Commander Keith Clevenger of Francis Scott Key Post 11 of Frederick, Md., and former executive director of the national American Legion office in Washington, D.C., Louis Celli Jr.
Catania held an exposed position at PoChentong International Airport in Cambodia fighting off both SVA and NVA while calling in fire support and evacuating U.S. assets, including the U.S. ambassador at the close of the war.
Thank you to both Secretary George Owings and Deputy Secretary Robert Finn, both of the Department of Maryland Veteran Affairs, for inclusion in the July 2020 newsletter.
Presenter with citations as presented; lower group photo of all veterans attending. Far left is PC Keith Clevenger of Francis Scott Key Post 11 and to his right is former Legion executive director Lou Celli.
Francis Scott Key Squadron 11 and past commander honor Marine Vietnam veteran
Frederick, MD
July 10, 2020
Lou Celli, inset with pink shirt.
Honoree pictured center front holding Cambrian flag. He grabbed the flag on his exit to show the US ambassador the position had failed and he needed to evacuate.
Governor and congressional citations.
July 2020 Maryland Veteran Affairs Newsletter.
Catania was pictured with his unit in this book.
Submitted by:
Josh Marks
