Donald J Vander Steen was born on April 12, 1948, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, his father, Frank, was 44 and his mother, Helen, was 36.He died on December 2, 2012, in Appleton, Wisconsin, at the age of 54.

Time in Service;

JULY 25, 1967 - GREENLEAF - A3/c Donald J Vander Steen, son of Mr and Mrs Frank Vander Steen of Rt 1, Greenleaf, has been re-assigned to Kinchelos Air Force Base, Mich, following his recent graduation from the medical specialist course at the US Air Force technical training school, Sheppard Air Force Base, Michigan. (see article below)

MARCH 9, 1970 - US Air Force Sgt Donald J Vander Steen, son of Mr and Mrs. Frank J Vander Steen of Rt 1, Greenleaf is on duty at Phu Cat Air Base, Vietnam. A 1966 graduate of Wrightstown High School, he is a medical specialist with the 37th US Air Force Dispensary. (see article below)

Jul_25__1967

March9-1970

WELCOME TO PHU CAT PACKET 1960's

LOCAL BASE DEFENSE 1969 - 1971 REPORT

Take notice to page 44 referencing Feb 1970 attack, one American killed, 15 wounded. Perhaps the soldier who told your mother that he died had him mixed up with F....maybe he was one that was injured?...just a thought. Time frame is close to when you were born and he was at Phu Cat Air Base. 

I reached out to a man named William Radkiewicz (wjrad1@gmail.com).... he was a friend of Follon's - I asked if he served with, or knew your father. Below is the response I got from him.  

Thank you for contacting me about Donald Vandersteen. The name sounds so familiar, i did know a Don, and one of the Doctors who was from Grand rapids Mi. I was not in the best shape when i was in the dispensary. Can i ask what were the dates of being in country, like - i was late 1969 to the end of 1970. I was injured the same morning Bill was we had just said goodby - little did we know. I spent many more visits to the dispensary after that. Good chance i could have known Donald.
I am going to dig out the old photos and correspondence form others i used to talk with and kick it around.
Have a nice holiday.

My suggestion would be to respond to him - tell him your story and see if he found anything in his records and/or knows some other comrades from then that might remember your dad. 

As far as getting your military records, perhaps the best way is to ask your uncle if he would apply for them - its free - but they will need proof of next of kin. If your birth certificate has Donalds name on it, you could apply, but Im not sure it does?

LOCAL BASE DEFENSE 1969 - 1971 REPORT

Take notice to page 44 referencing Feb 1970 attack, one American killed, 15 wounded. Perhaps the soldier who told your mother that he died had him mixed up with F....maybe he was one that was injured?...just a thought. Time frame is close to when you were born and he was at Phu Cat Air Base.