Daniel John Illi

Daniel John Illi

Private First Class Daniel John Illi was born on December 6, 1945 to Mr. and Mrs. Erwin G. Illi at St. Joseph's hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Daniel graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1964 where he played football and was a member of the Troubleshooting Mechanics Team. Before entering the Army on November 3, 1965, Daniel was a rental manager for Liberty Land Company affiliated with Butcher and Willits Building Company of Ann Arbor. He married Shirley (Smith-Lowery) on February 5, 1966.

Daniel Illi completed his basic training at Fort Carson, Colorado and was stationed there until transferred to Vietnam on August 2, 1966. Daniel served with B Company, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division operating out of An Khe, Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnaam. Daniel was killed by small arms fire on November 1, 1966.

Daniel John Illi is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife Shirley, parents, two brothers and a sister. He lived 20 years, 10 months and 25 days. Daniel is resting in Bethlehem Cemetery in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His name is listed on the Vietnam Memorial in Ypsilanti Township under Ann Arbor. He is also listed on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC on Panel 12E Line 002.

The Wall rubbings by John Kinzinger