Donald Maywood Kainu enlisted in the Army after high school and served
in Vietnam, where he was decorated for heroism and bravery. He received
a battlefield promotion to second lieutenant and rose through the ranks,
retiring as a Major.
He was born in Red Lodge, [MT] a son of Hugo & Gladys Kainu. He died
Aug. 1, 1987, at 50, of a cerebral vascular accident.
Don was born on May 27, 1937.
Donald Kainu, Major, Ret.
From: Red Lodge, Montana
MACV-SOG
FOB1 Phu Bai
A-421 Ba Xoai
STDAT- 158
"I was stationed with Captain Donald Kainu in Saigon in 1972-73. MACVSOG was closed down in April 1972 and we reverted to STDAT- 158, we were assigned to Advisary Elment GP-68. we closed down in Feb 73 they all went to NKP in Thailand.. I did not have to go as I was on an Extention. Gp 68 was small conmmanded by Maj. Michael D. Eiland. Cpt Kainu was next in Command."
[MSG Pete Estrada, Ret.]Don wrote this about himself when running for political office after his retirement from the Army.
"In 1957, he entered the U.S. Army, where he served for over 20 years. During his tenure in the national service, Kainu was variously responsible for intelligence, command, and administration duty. He supervised a 256-man company, and provided discipline, promotion, counseling, records & correspondence, & military affairs roles."
[From Don's sister, Linda Planichek.]