Patriots Park is the scene of Nov. 7 remembrances. The reserve contains a monument for fallen community heroes. A 16th plaque honors Army Warrant Officer Daniel Bishop.

 

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) – More than 60 years after his death, a hero’s name has been added to the Patriots Park Wall of Honor in Fair Oaks.

During a Nov. 7 ceremony, the wall’s newest plaque was dedicated to Army Warrant Officer Daniel E. Bishop, who was considered the first Carmichael man to die in the Vietnam War. A musician and graduate of San Juan High School, Dan was the youngest of five Bishop brothers raised on Grant Avenue by electrician James Bishop and his wife, Anna.

More than 30 community members, including Senator Roger Niello and representatives of other legislative offices attended the ceremony.

Relatives of monument Honoree Daniel Bishop are Josh Bishop (center), Leanne Stephenson (to his left) and Jenny Blakemore. The family members are flanked by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Honor Guard.

Senator Niello described the Wall of Honor as more than a monument. “Each name represents a son, a brother, a husband or a neighbor,” he said. “This monument reminds us that heroes are not just in history books. They walk our streets. May we strive to lead lives worthy of their service.”

The Wall of Honor’s newest inductee died while piloting a helicopter on combat duty in Vietnam. Hit by ground fire, his craft crashed and exploded. Dan Bishop was one of nine crew members from downed helicopters that perished in the 1965 tragedy.  

Also stationed in South Vietnam, Daniel’s brother Ted Bishop was called to identify his 26-year-old sibling’s body.

“The family was impacted deeply by his death,” recalled his niece, Micki Bishop Stoltz (now a Wilton resident). “Everybody loved him.”

Daniel Bishop’s portrait and medals are displayed during the Wall of Honor ceremony.

His community grieved. Soon after his loss, Carmichael Park District dedicated a band shell to the Warrant Officer’s memory. 

Another niece recalled her lost uncle. “He was always kidding,” said Montana resident Carrie Bishop Craig. “He took us kids along on his dates. One of his girlfriends objected. So he dropped her back at her house and took us to a movie and ice cream instead.”

Micki Bishop Stultz remembers her favorite uncle’s letters from Vietnam. “They were full of pranks and jokes,” she said. “He was cool and fun. When he died, it seemed like all the fun had gone from my life.” 

Micki recalled a school current events class that included war footage. “They showed a helicopter crash,” she said. “I didn’t think much, till they screened pictures of the crew. There was my uncle’s face. I had to leave the room.”

Daniel Bishop’s niece Leeanne Stephenson and great nephew Josh Bishop meet American Legion members Michael Cleary (left), Bob Fitzgerald and Dale Weist.

Dan Bishop had taken another helicopter pilot’s duty on his final, fatal mission.

“At the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC, I met the officer he’d replaced on that flight,” said Micki. “We corresponded for several years. He said he felt bad – that it should have been him in the helicopter. I told him Dan must have wanted to do the mission, or he would not have volunteered. It just his character to step forward.”

“He was so humble,” Micki continued. “Uncle Dan loved his family and his country. He would not have considered himself a hero. He was doing his job and his duty.”

Family cousin Leeanne Stephenson attended the Bishop brothers’ alma mater, San Juan High. “There was a memorial case dedicated to Uncle Danny in a hallway,” she said. “It made me sad, but I was proud that people remembered him. All the men in my life had been in service. That was an inspiration. When I graduated, I went to work for the Airforce.”

Daniel Bishop and niece Micki hold trophies from a river fishing expedition, circa 1961. Photo courtesy of the Bishop family

 Daniel Bishop’s family, noted Stephenson, appreciated Carmichael community’s most recent honor for her kinsman. “Most of us grew up in this vicinity,” she said. “We all value the effort put in to remembering Danny.”

Fifteen more patriots are memorialized by the Patriots Park Wall of Honor.

They are:

Sheriff’s Deputy Robert French; CHP Officer Ronald E. Davis; Army Specialist James E. Schlottman; Army Lieutenant Robert S. Byrnes; Airforce Captain Olin E. Gilbert Jnr; Army Sergeant Larry H. Morford; firefighter Dean W. Rhoades; 

Navy pilot Lieutenant J. G. David A Warne; Marine and firefighter Sergeant Brian E. Dunlap; Sheriff’s Deputies Kevin P. Blount and Joseph M. Kievernagel; Army Sergeant Ronald L. Coffelt; Army Specialist Raymond Nigel Spencer Jnr;

Sheriff’s Deputy Danny Oliver; Sheriff’s Corporal Bruce R. Verhoeven; Army Sheriff’s Deputy Patrick Blount; Army W.O. Daniel E. Bishop.

Anyone may visit Patriots Park, located at 6827 Palm Ave., Fair Oaks. The annual Wall of Honor ceremony occurs on the first Saturday of November.

The five Bishop brothers of Grant Avenue, Carmichael, circa 1963. Daniel (top left) and Ted wear Army uniform prior to their Vietnam service. Below are brothers Jim, Mac and Bill. All are now deceased. Photo courtesy of the Bishop family