More detail on this person: Obituary Barry Tronstad Oxnard, CA April 28, 1947-April 14, 2023 The world lost a true humanitarian who liked nothing better than anonymously giving or helping others. Funding thousands of non-interest loans to women around the world, picking up trash, taking care of endangered birds, helping neighbors, doing a community garden, or supporting in the protection of animals and national parks were just a few of the things that gave his life meaning and allowed him to give back. As a highly decorated scout helicopter pilot in the 17th Air Cav in Vietnam in 1968, he never forgot the price of freedom and consciously lived each day in the service of others. He earned 3 Air Medals of valor - finding and attacking a rocket site south of Saigon, dropping ammunition and picking up wounded in a hot landing zone during mini Tet, and for saving lives during a fire fight and pulling infantry out of mud to safety. To earn a Silver Star, he rescued soldiers in the Mekong who were pinned down by machine guns. His Purple Heart was awarded after taking 19 hits near the Cambodian border. Barry earned his BA from Cal Poly Pomona and a Master's degree from USC. His career was devoted to building programs for the handicapped by being involved with the development of state testing and administering programs at Pacific, Lanterman and Camarillo State Hospitals and Developmental Centers. He came to Ventura from Pomona Unified and became the Director of Ventura Adult and Continuing Education where he was instrumental in creating the Technology Development Center which became known throughout the state. He was a visionary who was way before his time creating online learning, competency-based classes and specialty computer programs with multi-media and computer-aided drafting. Always in a creative, "green" mode, he built salt-water tanks that fed directly from the ocean and protected marine life. From seeds he grew plants in his own hydro and aquaponic systems. If he wasn't building something, he would be doing a jigsaw puzzle, playing bridge or another card game, hiking, reading or photographing people, places or animals. His greatest joy was doing these things with his family. Barry lived and loved passionately. To the world he was but one, but to me he was the world. Life with him was one adventure after another. He was driven to see every state, over 100 countries on all seven continents. Trains, planes, RVs, cruising or driving all allowed for unique experiences. He never compared them... only took joy in each one. He will be remembered by the love of his life, his wife and best friend Denise. Together they laughed, dreamed, talked, and supported each other through all of life's good and bad times. He will also be missed by his step children Travis McMillan and Kim M. McMillan-Ralph, son-in-law Seth and grandchildren Ben McMillan and Alice Ralph whom he loved dearly and was immensely proud. He also was blessed to have an exceptional extended family and good friends who will feel the loss of such a fine man. The best way to honor Barry would be to do something for someone else. Denise would greatly appreciate any stories, pictures or ways Barry impacted your life as no funeral or memorial is planned at this time. She can be reached at travelcrazyduo@yahoo.com . Barry Tronstad's ARMY military service as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW2) 17th Air Cav Helicopter Scout Rescue Pilot Went in November 1, 1966 and was honorably, medically retired July 14, 1969 after being shot down on Veteran's Day in 1968 Major medals received: Purple Heart, Silver Star, Bronze Star Barry Tronstad was flying out to the Cambodian border on Veteran's Day 11/11/1968 and a plain of reeds looking for sampans or anything moving. He located some sampans that appeared empty of people but filled with supplies. He hovered over the reeds and saw a head under the water breathing through a reed. He dropped his skids down and tapped the reeds when the person popped out of the water. He and his observer signaled him and then sat the helicopter down. The observer got out, disarmed him and brought him back to the aircraft. He dropped him at S2, a small heliport taking prisoners. John Briggs was on the scout team with him and accompanied him back to Tan an to refuel. They took off together flying over a village about 100' off the ground. More sampans were coming in. Barry radioed John that he was going to loop back. They open fired on him. The helicopter took 19 hits which missed the transmission and fuel but got him in multiple places. Barry's observer threw smoke grenades to mark the area, radioed what transpired while Barry was taking the copter up to 1000'. At this point, Barry was bleeding profusely and starting to lose consciousness. His observer took the controls to try to keep them flying straight and level while Barry was mopping up his own blood and trying to stop the flow in order to help land the aircraft. He was unable to use his right leg or right arm. He stuck his head out for some oxygen and spotted a special forces camp below. They looped around and he set up the helicopter for landing using only his left leg for anti torque since his right leg was wasn't functioning. He pulled torque and touched the ground hard, cut the throttle slowly which put enough pressure on the skids to counter act the torque before he passed out. Someone rushed out and jabbed him with morphine, put splints on his leg and arm, and worked to stop the bleeding. His unit, A Troop 3/17 air cav, took him in a Huey and flew him back to Tan an where he was stabilized. From there he was flown to Saigon for a few days before ending up in Japan. Interesting note: Barry was one of the soldiers in a film on the History Channel--" The Personal Experience - Helicopter Warfare of Vietnam" April 2001. This was the first time since the war that he and others in the show had spoken about their experiences. Written by his wife, Denise Tronstad.
This information was last updated 06/16/2023
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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