wFrom: Bridget Doherty

wtDate: June 27, 2015

Subject: Dirty Dan C. Doherty or as I called him...."Dad"....

Hi Jim, I'm sorry it took so long to reply...I don't mind if you post my letter...and thank you again for all the writings on my father...July 1st is the day he past 19 years ago... Wow just writing that number is a bit unbelievable. Dad use to tell me he was going to hold on to get one more pension check out of the government... Well he was in a coma for a little more than a month before he past, we were told he would last maybe 3 more days, dad had the last word, the last laugh. He held on until the first of July just as he said he would... My dad was a character until the very last day, I Love and miss him and am so glad he installed some of his toughness in me cause his grit has help me over many a life lesson hurdle. I hope this message finds you well, and again thanks a million for the memories. Bridget Doherty

wFrom: Jim White

wtDate: May 27, 2015

Subject: Dirty Dan C. Doherty or as I called him...."Dad"....

Dear Bridget,
Thank you very much for writing the below. With your permission I will include it on your father's page (URL = https://www.afvnvets.net/conv--msgt-doherty.html ). I am also still interested in any recordings (audio tapes) you might have from his years in the service.
I am sure you realize that even though he was nicknamed "Dirty Dan" he was really held in great respect and affection by all of those who knew him. When I post your story, I'll include your email address and you might be surprised at how many messages you might receive from those who served with him in Vietnam.

wFrom: Bridget Doherty [ bridgetadoherty@gmail.com ]

wtDate: May 27, 2015

Subject: Dirty Dan C. Doherty or as I called him...."Dad"....

A colorful man with a harsh bite for comedy and a low tolerance for bull, but as his one and only daughter, he used to tell me, I promptly replied, "that we know of" .. Lol. My father was many things to many people not all bad, joking, and not all good... But I was merely a babe when he served over seas... I was born in 1964. Hearing some of these stories make me laugh, and cringe at the same time, but that was dad. Someone mentioned Klinger, from M.A.S.H. Funny dad told me they were actually good friends back in those days, served together at some point. My father mellowed in his older age, never lost his since of humor, loved to attended the Marine Corps Ball in San Francisco, and loved to sail his boat on the Mare Island straights. I am the youngest of his seven children, and as I said his only girl. Two of his sons past before him in 72 and 89. His oldest son in name sake and dare I compare in some temperament also served in Vietnam. I am proud of the service my father gave for his country, as I am proud and Thankful to All who have served our Nation. My father past away in 1996. I have enjoyed reading all your memories of my father and his tours of duty. He may not have been everyone's cup of tea, but he was a Loyal Marine till the end. In Honor of my father, brother, and all of the service men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice, I Thank you on this Memorial Day, 2015.

wFrom: Bob Nelson

wtDate: August 9, 2013

Subject: Dirty Dan

Doherty... Wouldn't begin to guarantee spelling.

bob

wFrom: Jim White

wtDate: August 9, 2013

Subject: Dirty Dan

Bob,

Nothing wrong with your spelling.

Jim W

wFrom: Donald Fox

wtDate: August 8, 2013

Subject: Dirty Dan

FYI: By the time I arrived ( December 1966) he was already known as Dirty Dan.

wFrom: Rick Fredericksen

wtDate: August 9, 2013

Subject: Dirty Dan

I love it! Sorry I missed him. He sounds like Klinger on MASH...kind of wonder how sincere all his antics were. Certainly "rank" has its privileges.

Rick Fredericksen

wFrom: Joe Ciokon

wtSent: August 8, 2013

Subject: Dirty Dan

Let's see if I can clear some of this up, since I worked for the man during my 1967-8 tour in the newsroom. I believe it was Nick Palladino who hung that moniker on him because of his personal habits. He would come into the newsroom in the morning after a night on the town, hungover and drooling (which I took as an act to shock the young officers in the outer office and the young Army troops around the station). Then, he would dig his rumpled uniform out of the bottom drawer of his desk, strip down and change clothes right in front of us, often standing on his chair. The Marines just ignored his antics. Marine Sgt Dan Ziegler, who was my sponsor and roommate at the Cholon BEQ, prepared me for my first meeting so I was forewarned. As it turned out, Nick, myself, Ziegler, Bob Tate, and Preston Cluff just laughed at him and went about our chores. Everyone else, officers included, learned to stay out of the newsroom for fear they would cross him. On the day he rotated out and was presented with the JSCM by the Colonel. He ripped the medal off his chest and threw it at the bulletin board, filled his piss-cutter with shaving cream, crammed it on his head, and jumped into the jeep for his ride to Tan Son Nhut and the a "Freedom Bird." That was a"Dirty Dan" Doherty. Preston, is that how you remember him?

JoeC

wFrom: Rick Fredericksen

wtDate: August 8, 2013

Subject: Dirty Dan

Oh, this is a nice mystery. And how did he get that nickname? Let's see where this goes.

Rick Fredericksen

End of messages copied from AFVN History / Reminiscences & Stories

wFrom: Jim White

wtDate: August 8, 2013

Subject: Dirty Dan HELP!

In the "Historical Documents Section / Reminiscences, Stories and Messages" there are a number of references to "Dirty Dan." I know that he was a Marine MSgt, perhaps had multiple tours with AFVN, and was somewhat of a legend. But, I can't connect his nickname and his name. Can anyone help?

Jim W

From: Joe Ciokon

This begs the question: How many tours did Dirty Dan do over there? Nick Palladino did five, back-to-back. Three with the 1st Cav and two with us. How many others besides the Marines and SEAL teams did multiple tours? This could be another interesting sidebar to AFVN history.

From: Cal LaMartiniere

David O'Connor, I sure do remember you! Talented young man. Yes indeed, I do remember you. I knew DD from the Brinks days also and Herb Manchester....remember Herbie? Dan never turned his infamous ire on me but I saw him unleash his fury on others...well I take that back. It was on Panorama. I was doing the news my first week in-country. He introduced the news and I waited for him to point his finger at me. Finally, he realized I was waiting for a cue and gave me the bird. After I left air, he insisted I should be bright enough when to start without being told.

From: Preston Cluff

I realize it's rare I touch base with all of you on this site, but I DO read most of the chit-chat. This one drew special interest in that I always considered Dan a good friend. When it was determined - rightfully so - that I was nowhere near the broadcaster I thought I was on arrival at Network HQs in May 67, Dan was one of the first to work daily with me. There, of course, were many others who worked so diligently to ensure I eventually got "on air."

Dan left in '69, I believe, and retired. I'm aware that as he came back once as a civilian, contacted Nick and I, and we visited at his "quarters." Honestly do not remember who he was then working for. That was the last I saw/heard from him.

Dave, I was working in production the time Dan did, in fact, let the saliva fall from his lips to the floor - without speaking - when queried about air play.

From: David O'Conner

Hi all, A few tidbits about Dirty Dan:

I was assigned to AFRTS Saigon in September 1966 when it was still in the Brinks and did a show called "Afternoon Break". Dirty Dan was the PD [Program Director] or its military equivalent. He and the late Cramer Haas were good friends, and since I was friends with Cramer I always got on pretty well with Dan who I think was whatever a Marine E-8 is titled (Master Gunnery Sgt?...can you tell I was a draftee?)

Stan Musial visited the station and I had him sign an autograph for my little brother who was a big baseball fan. After Musial left Dan showed me his famous temper and made it plain to me that broadcast types didn't ask guests for autographs.

A Navy officer once suggested to Dan in my presence that more Barbershop should be played on air, and Dan just very dramatically hawked on the floor in front of the "Sir". I was deeply impressed. This was after we left the Brinks and went to the new station. As I got to know him Dan was a very bright and interesting guy.

The first five entries are also in the AFVN History / Reminiscences & Stories and are

being repeated here in order to provide a fuller picture of "Dirty Dan" Doherty.

These conversations were copied from the original site and therefore the date and subject of the messages are unknown.

AFVN Home

Daniel C. "Dirty Dan" Doherty MSgt, USMC News Director

1966 / August 2013 / May-July 2015

One of AFVN's Legends

AFVN Group Conversations