Patrick Tadina, Vietnam War's Longest Serving Ranger, Dies At 77

Patrick Tadina, who was the Vietnam war’s longest continuously serving ranger, has died.
He served in Vietnam for over five years consecutively.
Tadina received many honors in his time for his services.

It has been reported that the Vietnam war’s longest continuously serving ranger, Patrick Tadina, has died at the age of 77. Tadina served in Vietnam for over five years consecutively between 1965 and 1970. He led long-range reconnaissance patrols deep into enemy territory. Tadina was often dressed in black pajamas and sandals and carried an AK-47.

His daughter, Catherine Poeschl, confirms the sad news in a Facebook post. “Early this morning my Dad … took his last breaths and went to be with all the Rangers before him,” she says. “I know they are all there waiting for him.”

Remembering Patrick Tadina and his service to the country

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Tadina was a native of Hawaii. He earned two Silver Stars, 10 Bronze Stars — seven with valor — three Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry, four Army Commendation Medals, including two for valor, and three Purple Hearts in his time. While in Vietnam, Tadina served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol, 74th Infantry Detachment Long Range Patrol and Company N (Ranger), 75th Infantry.

He would then join the Army in 1962 and served in the Dominican Republic before going to Southeast Asia. Tadina also served with the 82nd Airborne Division in Grenada during Operation Urgent Fury in 1983 and with the 1st Infantry Division during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He subsequently became an inductee of the Ranger Hall of Fame in 1995. During his service, Tadina was shot three times and his brother was killed in combat in Vietnam.

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Tadina retired from the Army in 1992 and would continue to work security jobs until 2013. He also had stints in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. In the final years of his life, he had been struggling with health problems such as dementia and other ailments. Tadina is survived by his wife, two sisters, two daughters, four sons, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. May he rest in peace. Thank you for your service, Patrick Gavin Tadina!