At long last Douglas Gordon Lape is united with his twin brother David Alen Lape. Following a National Guard Flag Ceremony at the Cordova Cemetery on the morning of Sept. 1, 2024, his ashes were placed by his headstone adjacent to David’s headstone.
The pair graduated from Cordova High in 1962. In 1966, with the war in Vietnam raging, they both enlisted in the Army, with the goal of becoming helicopter pilots.
Doug loved to tell the story that an army recruiter told him he was color blind, but passed him anyhow because “we need helicopter pilots in Vietnam.”
Both made it through flight school. In 1967, they found themselves not only in Vietnam, but in the same unit, flying the infamous “Huey” helicopters in the Ba Xugen Province IV Corps.
Both logged many hazardous missions. On Nov. 27,1967, David’s crew was on standby to fly gunships. His hooch was the closest to the ramp where the gunships were parked. During a mortar attack, he was racing for his helicopter when a round took his life.
Since WWII, and the loss all five Sullivan brothers on the Navy Cruiser Juneau in 1942, the military has been very sensitive about simultaneous sibling combat deaths.
Alaska’s U.S Sen. Ernest Greuning was here in Cordova for David’s Memorial Service, and he told Doug that “You’ve got to come home to Alaska for your mother’s sake.”
Through his efforts, Doug was transferred to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage.
After discharge from the service, Doug went on to a successful career as an electrician, and spent many years working on the North Slope oil fields.
In 1986 he married lifelong Cordovan Phyllis Wickett Johnson, who passed away on Aug. 12, 2012.
Doug passed away on January 2, 2020. He is survived by his daughter Beth Lape Nordlund, granddaughter Ella Nordlund, son Kelly Lape, and grandchildren Nevaeh, Daython, and Roman Lape.
One of his last wishes was to have his ashes be placed beside both David and Phyllis in the Cordova Cemetery.
So they were.
“Taps” was played by the Color Guard Guard trumpeter; a large U.S. flag was displayed and then folded in traditional manner.
It was presented to Doug’s granddaughter Nevaeh.
The ashes were placed as the sun peeked through the clouds.
Together. In patriotism and love. At last.
