Surrounded by family, Louis J. DeSeta, Age 79, of Bear, DE passed away peacefully on Monday, September 30, 2024.
Lou was predeceased by his parents, Vincent Sr. and Inez, and his brother, Tony.
In 1965, Lou enlisted in the Army. After completing jump school training at Ft. Ord California, he was deployed to Vietnam where he served two tours of duty. During his first tour, Lou served with both the 82nd and 173rd Airborne units. During his second tour, he transferred into the Special Forces MACV-SOG unit. Because of his combat actions while serving with this unit, Lou has been highlighted in several books detailing his unit. He was honorably discharged in 1968.
Forty-three years would pass before Lou received formal recognition for his service with the MACV-SOG covert military unit. He received two Bronze Stars, including one with a “V” for Valor, and an Army Commendation Medal.
Recently, Lou and four fellow MACV-SOG veterans visited the Pentagon and the CIA, where they were recognized for their participation in covert operations while in Vietnam.
Upon returning from his military service, Lou worked as an iron worker for Chicago Bridge and Iron for a few years before joining the Boilermakers Local 13. After 30 years of service, he retired from the boilermakers in 2001. Lou loved to load up his motorcycle in his customized, self-loading van and head out West to attend the annual Special Operations reunions held in Las Vegas. He would make several stops along the way, unload his bike and ride with fellow bikers he met during his travels.
Lou also took two trips to Australia. On both occasions, as he traveled throughout the country, he was hosted by several Australian Vietnam vets whose friendships he cherished throughout the years.
As part of the ongoing efforts to properly honor and recognize the service of Vietnam Special Forces veterans, Lou gave an interview in 2010 to the Special Operations History Museum. This video of his interview is a 20-minute excerpt from a longer two-hour interview and can be viewed here.
Lou is survived by his son, Jimmy, daughter, April and granddaughter, Alana. He is also survived by his brother, Vincent, Jr. and wife, Kass, sister, Marie DeSeta and 5 nieces (Inez/Carl Tarrach, Carrie Quinn, Kayla/Buck Harper, Carla Tarrach and McKenzie Harper) and 3 nephews (Garrett Quinn, Ben Quinn and Noah Harper).
The DeSeta family would like to thank Lou’s boilermaker buddies, their wives and children, his military brothers and all the friends and relatives who visited or called during his final days. We extend our most heartfelt gratitude to Bob and Teresa Carrow who stayed by our sides during Lou’s final hours. Witnessing how all of you surrounded Lou with love has comforted our family during this sorrowful time.
A visitation will take place on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803, with a memorial service beginning at 12:00 PM. Interment will follow at Cathedral Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, our family requests that donations in memory of Lou be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 83, 536 Beech Tree Lane, Hockessin, DE 19707.
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