“Survivor’s Story: George F. Banda’s Heroic Service with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam”

Thursday, November 13, 2025
5:30 PM – 8 PM

George F. Banda was drafted in January 1969 and served as a combat medic with the 101st Airborne Division, 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, E Company, Recon Platoon. Deployed to Vietnam in December 1969, he endured some of the conflict’s most harrowing moments. On May 6, 1970, Banda became the sole survivor of his unit following the devastating bombing of Firebase Henderson. At Mess Night, he will share his powerful story of service, sacrifice, and resilience.

• 5:30-6:15 – Happy Hour
• 6:15-7:00 – Dinner
• 7:00-8:00 – Presentation

$50 MEMBERS | $58 NON-MEMBERS 

This event is sold out!

Each MESS NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM features a guest speaker, topic, dinner, drinks, and time to socialize before and after the talk. Registration will be required before the event. Join us as we transform this historic naval tradition into our own. Event suitable for all ages.

Event sponsored by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation through the generous support of our 2025 Mess Night Series Sponsor Generac Power Systems.