LtCol Daniel Nolan McDaniel (retired) passed away in Perth 28 August 2018 after a battle with cancer. He was 71 years old.
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Dan was a Viet Nam conscript gaining a commission from Scheyville – an officer training school set up in western Sydney to specifically train conscripts with officer potential. He grew up in Broome WA and was a professional fisherman when conscripted. He was wounded in the last major engagement of Australian troops in the war when serving with 4 RAR
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Although Major Dan McDaniel did not serve in the Fleet Air Arm, we like to consider him as an honorary member of it as he was the OC of the first SAS Squadron involved in Operation BURSA. This was the protection of offshore oil rigs in the Bass Strait, which involved combined operations between (initially) HC723 Squadron and a Tactical Assault Group of the SAS.
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Dan, George Spence and Ken Vote met in Swanbourne WA shortly after 723 was committed to the operation to commence discussions on the way ahead. He was a fine officer and he and his officers melded easily with the 723 officers ensuring that the many issues were ironed out, and tactics were quickly developed. It was an Operation that tested many boundaries and Dan was integral in helping resolve them.
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“We served together and played together. A great soldier and great friend….”
