David Kenneth Ditch

David Kenneth Ditch, known as Rusty, was raised in Davenport and graduated from Davenport Central High School. He was married in Rock Island in 1966. Ditch was drafted by the Army and began his training at Fort Campbell, KY. He completed his advanced infantry training at Fort Polk, LA. SGT Ditch deployed to Southeast Asia in September 1967 and was assigned to Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry in the 25th Infantry Division. SGT Ditch participated in, and survived, the Battle of Firebase Burt during the onset of the Tet Offensive in late January 1968. He died on March 13, of the same year, from wounds inflicted by the enemy during a firefight. He received his fatal wounds while on a mission during Operation Wilderness. SGT Ditch was 25 years old at the time of his death. He left behind a wife and six stepchildren. His body was returned to Iowa and buried at the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Davenport.