DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
APO San Francisco  96240
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER          2458    23 December 1970
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR HEROISM
1.  TC 439.  The following AWARD is announced.
ENTRICAN, DANNY D.  428-86-7106  1LT 31542 Co B (WA4XBOA) APO 96318  IN
Awarded:  Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device (Second Oak Leaf Cluster)
Date(s) of action:  25 October 1970
Theater:  Republic of Vietnam
Authority:  By direction of the President under the provisions of Executive
Order 11046, 24 August 1962
Reason:  For heroism in connection with ground operations against a hostile
        force in the Republic of Vietnam:  First Lieutenant Entrican
        distinguished himsself by heroism on 25 October 1970 while serving
        as the senior Special Forces advisor to a company size Camp Strike
        Force unit.  At 1050 hours the CSF operation in ambush position made
        contact with an unknown size enemy unit.  Immediately upon receiving
        fire, the enemy unleashed a heavy volume of rockets and automatic
        weapons fire.  Lieutenant Entrican immediately began to manuever the
        CIDG elements in order to maintain fire superiority and to prevent
        the enemy from escaping.  With complete disregard for his own
        personal safety Lieutenant Entrican led an assault on the retreating
        enemy.  He then directed gunship and airstrikes against the enemy.
        The results of the contact were 13 NVA killed.  First Lieutenant
        Entrican's heroic actions were in keeping witht he highest
        traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon
        himself, Special Forces and the United States Army.
FOR THE COMMANDER:
 
 

OFFICIAL:                        HARVEY G. PATTERSON
                                       LTC, Infantry
                                       Adjutant
HARVEY J. PENDLETON
1LT, IN
Asst Adjutant
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
Headquarters, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces
APO San Francisco  96240

GENERAL ORDER
NUMBER          2311
AWARD OF THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL FOR HEROISM
1.  TC 439.  The following AWARD is announced
ENTRICAN, DANNY D.  428-86-7106 1LT 31542 Co B (WA4XBOA) APO  96318 IN
Awarded:  Bronze Star with "V" Device
Date(s) of service:  11 September 1970
Theater:  Republic of Vietnam
Authority:  By direction of the President under the provisions of Executive
Order 11046, 24 August 1962
Reason: For heroism in connection with ground operations against a hostile
        force in the Republic of Vietnam:  First Lieutenant Entrican
        distinguished him- self by exceptional heroism on 11 September 1970
        while serving as senior advisor to a Camp Strike Force operation.
        While engaged in the mission of search and control on QL 14,
        Lieutenant Entrican lead a point element towards a well used trail
        in a densely wooded area.  When they were with- in 100 meters of the
        trail an estimated company opened up with an intense volume of
        automatic fire.  after maneuvering the CSF into position, Lieu-
        tenant Entrican called for Cobra Gunships and exposed himself to the
        enemy fire in order to direct the gunships.  Even with the gunships
        work- in the area it was evident to him the CSF element could not
        hold the superior fire from the NVA/VC position.  When he began to
        withdraw he noticed a dead NVA/VC body and returned under fire to
        search the body for valuable documents.  Lieutenant Entrican then
        moved his element to a safe position without incurring any
        casualties and directed fire from the gunships on the enemy.  The
        results did not prove so valuable for the enemy after they broke
        contact leaving 1 NVA/VC KIA and 1 carbine weapon behind.
        Lieutenant Entrican's bravery and devotion to duty were in keep- ing
        with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect
        great credit upon himself, Special Forces and the United States
        Army.

======================
MIA bracelet leads Fla. woman to Brookhaven
By:KIM SASSER, DAILY LEADER Staff Writer August 14, 2001

Capt. Danny Entrican turned 55 years old Sunday, and while he may not have
been surrounded by family and friends, their thoughts were certainly with
him all day.
His sister, Jenny Watson, placed fresh flowers on the monument bearing his
name near a freedom tree in Railroad Park.
A special friend, Jerry Shira, whom Entrican has never met, traveled over
900 miles to visit Entrican's hometown of Brookhaven on the special day.
Despite Entrican's absence from birthday parties over the last 30 years,
Watson and Shira met for a small celebration in his honor.
Their thoughts and conversations strayed to the same topic. They wondered
what had happened to Entrican on May 18, 1971, in the jungles of Vietnam.
After Entrican was separated from his Green Beret group that day, he has
been considered Missing In Action. His disappearance has affected numerous
lives that never had the chance to meet the man they now pray for and think
of daily.
Shira, who lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, has been interested in
Entrican's life since 1972, when she received a bracelet bearing his name.
"My father was in the Navy, based in Jacksonville, Fla., at the time. I was
only 12 years old when I had the opportunity to wear a MIA/POW bracelet,"
Shira explained. "You could either request a name or let them just give you
one, and I got Danny's."
The power the small, silver half-inch bracelet seems to possess has amazed
Shira and Watson, who were connected Sunday for the first time.
While Watson worried over the whereabouts of her then 25-year-old brother,
she had no idea that a complete stranger was doing the same.
Shira did not take the meaning of her bracelet half-heartedly as many 12
years old do. Instead, she focused much of her energy into wishing Entrican
a safe journey home.
She also showed a deep commitment to the bracelet.
"I wore it for five years, never taking it off," she said. "But then it
became weak and I put it aside."
When she found the bracelet again last year, her mind raced with questions
about the missing soldier.
"I wanted to know everything about him. I wondered if he was still missing
and where he was from," Shira said.
Her friends helped in the research efforts and they soon discovered much
about Entrican.
Shira even found his name at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington,
D.C., and had someone copy it onto paper on Memorial Day last year.
"Then every time I turned around there was something constantly reminding me
of Danny," Shira noted, mentioning how even the sight of Purple Hearts or
talk of the Vietnam War made her think of the missing soldier.
She renewed her pact to not forget those who did not come back from Vietnam
by purchasing another silver bracelet with Entrican's named on it.
"I replaced it last year and have not taken it off since then," she said.
Shira had hoped to make a trip to Vietnam this year, but was unable to. She
decided it would be more beneficial to meet Entrican's family in Brookhaven.
She and her friend, Robin Foster of Birmingham, Ala., anticipated the
special weekend for months. They had learned so much about Entrican, and now
they would be exposed to much more about his life before 1971.
His parents, Louie Entrican Sr. and Mildred Entrican, have both passed away,
but Shira was grateful to be able to spend several hours with Watson, who
shared many interesting stories with her.
"Danny was really a fighter. We have not given up on him. You just never
know with Danny," Watson commented. "Until I get something definite, I don't
think I'll ever give up."
Watson, who named her son in honor of her brother, believes no matter where
Entrican is right now, she is sure he is involved in the military. She
remembers how important the military was to him, and how he wrote in letters
there was "a reason for being in Vietnam."
She said he would be astonished and humbled by the love he has received from
strangers during the last 30 years.
Several other people from around the nation have become interested in
Entrican's safety, said Watson, who has been contacted by a number of people
through the years. She recalls how she has bumped into dozens of people
wearing bracelets in honor of Entrican.
Her chance to meet and talk with one of the people who watch over and think
about her brother was monumental.
"It really means a lot. We're just thankful for the people who still wear
the bracelet," she said.
Shira hopes that one day she will take her bracelet off again, signifying
that Entrican has returned home.

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