David A . Christian David A . Christian ( born October 26 , 1948 ) is a several times decorated American Vietnam War veteran , best known for his veteran ' s advocacy efforts . During the 2012 election , he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for United States Senator in the United States Senate election in Pennsylvania , challenging incumbent Democratic Senator Bob Casey Jr . Christian lost in the primary election to Tom Smith . Early life and education . Christian was born in Gainesville , Florida on October 26 , 1948 . He was raised in Levittown , Pennsylvania . Christian ' s father left the family , causing his mother , a veteran of World War II , to raise Christian and his three siblings alone . Christian ' s mother , Dorothy Christian , was an aide to General Douglas MacArthur during WWII . Christian completed his high school education at Woodrow Wilson High School in 1966 . In 1972 , he graduated on the Dean ' s List from Villanova University . From 1972 to 1976 , Christian attended law school at Rutgers University . In addition to this , he has also attended graduate programs at Villanova , University of Pennsylvania , Bryn Mawr College , and Middlebury College . Military career . Christian enlisted in the United States Army at age 17 . After being rapidly promoted through the enlisted ranks to Sergeant , he was admitted to Army Officer Candidate School ( OCS ) and commissioned at 18 . Following Officer Candidate School he completed Army Airborne School ( Jump School ) and Army Special Forces ( " Green Berets " ) training . He was promoted to Captain ( O - 3 ) at age 20 . Christian was critically burned by Napalm during the Vietnam War in January 1969 . He was treated in Vietnam hospitals until February 20 , 1969 . He was transferred to the 106 General Hospital ( a division of Brooke Burn Center was established there ) in Japan . He was medically retired from the Army at age 21 . Decorations and awards . Christian ' s military awards ( service ribbons ) include : Post - military career . Christian was elected National Commander of the Legion of Valor in 1978 , and holds a lifetime Board of Director ' s position with the organization . Membership in the Legion of Valor is restricted to those who have been awarded the Medal of Honor , Distinguished Service Cross , Navy Cross , or Air Force Cross . Frustrated with how Vietnam War veterans were treated upon their return to the United States , both by the general public and the government , Christian became an advocate and veterans leader . He was a founding Vice - President of the Council of Vietnam Veterans . He left the organization , founding the splinter group of the United Vietnam Veterans Organization ( UVVO ) , which merged with the VVA in 1986 . Christian served as Assistant State Director , US Department of Labor - Veterans Employment during the Reagan Administration . In July 1981 , material pertaining to Agent Orange health issues was stolen from his office in what Christian characterized as a " Watergate type " burglary . Christian , a Republican , twice ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives against Peter H . Kostmayer , losing by less than 4 , 000 votes in 1984 , and 15 , 000 in 1986 . Christian is a former Fox News military analyst , having worked with them from 2002 - 2003 . Christian is also interviewed in the documentary " Picking Up the Pieces ( Making sense of the 60 ' s V . 5 ) . " Christian also appeared in John Pilger ' s - " Heroes " documentary . He collaborated with William Hoffer on the autobiographical " Victor Six " . 2012 U . S . Senate election . In mid - 2011 , Christian formed an exploratory committee to consider a run for the United States Senate seat currently held by incumbent Democrat Bob Casey Jr . in the 2012 election . Later in the year , Christian officially declared his candidacy for the U . S . Senate for the seat being held by incumbent Bob Casey Jr . In his campaign announcement , Christian described himself as a " Ronald Reagan Republican " . A poll conducted by the Pittsburgh Tribune Review / WPXI - TV in early February 2012 showed Christian tied for last in the Republican field , with 1 % of respondents . A poll conducted in late February by PoliticsPA of the website ' s readership , however , placed Christian in second place , trailing only Sam Rohrer . Christian finished with 21 % of respondents ( 364 votes ) to Rohrer ' s 37 % ( 651 votes ) . Christian was defeated in the April 24 , 2012 , primary by Tom Smith .