Info Sheet - John Ernest Dobash
Killed in Action 25 April 1969
See Incident Report and Comments
John E. Dobash
Specialist Five
D Trp, 3rd Sqdn, 4th Cavalry, 25th Inf Div, USARV
Army of the United States
Syracuse, New York
October 19, 1946 to April 25, 1969
He is on the Wall at Panel W26, Line 45
PERSONAL DATA:
Home of Record: Syracuse, NY
Date of birth: 10/19/1946
MILITARY DATA:
Service: Army of the United States
Grade at loss: E5
Rank: Specialist Five
ID No: 12680996
MOS: 11E20: Armor Crewman
Length Service: 04
CASUALTY DATA:
Start Tour: 09/24/1968
Incident Date: 04/25/1969
Casualty Date: 04/25/1969
Age at Loss: 22
Location: Binh Duong Province, South Vietnam
Remains: Body recovered
Casualty Type: Hostile, died outright
Casualty Reason: Helicopter - Noncrew
Casualty Detail: Air loss or crash over land
URL: www.VirtualWall.org/dd/DobashJE01a.htm
Data accessed: 3/17/2013
Comments/Citation
Thank you. I found John's name on Row 45 of panel 26W and have uploaded the photo to our family tree.
Carol Stowell-Heller
John's sister-in-law
Jennifer Lavender
jenllavender@yahoo.com
Family/Future Daughter-in-law
West Linn OR 97068 USA
You are missed....
I never had the opportunity to know John- but from what I read and understand from the posts of everyone else that was lucky to know him- his spirit lives on in his son, Paul. Paul was never able to meet his father and the impact of not having a father growing up is immense. All of the stories shared by those who knew John have helped Paul, his children and myself understand what an amazing person he was... Paul has the same zest for trying to help others enjoy life and that laugh I have heard you all describe- resonates within Paul himself. Thank you for honoring John and creating this page... Today, and everyday, I remember those that served and gave the ultimate sacrifice...
May 28, 2012
Brenda Stowell
bren755@yahoo.com
Sister in-law
3535 sw 103rd ave Beaverton Oregon 97005 United States
Every Memorial Day I stand in John's honor (& the countless others) at the Vietnam Memorial at Washington Park in Portland, Oregon, the home of his son (not daughter) Paul. I was 13 yrs old just finishing up Jr High and remember the day my sister got the news it was such a sad day. That summer I became Paul's babysitter for the summer and beyond watching him grow. There is something to be said about the children left fatherless from the war. There is more to be said how uncanny John lives through is son in so many ways :) Thank you to John's comrades/brothers who have paid tribute to him here on this page, through your words I can see John's expressions, hear his voice and that infectious laugh. @Mike McDole, when I heard that you had been in touch with Samm to let her know you were placing a plaque with John's name... I can't remember but just like now as tears stream down my face, I was so touched and would love to go visit there one day. Thank you to you all for your service, may God Bless you.
May 27, 2012
Janice Cowher-Russo
jmr_mba@yahoo.com
Cousin
513 GreenStreet Greensburg PA 15601 USA
Johnny's smiling face....
Thank you to all that contributed to this page. I am sad that Johnny did not survive Vietnam, and grateful to all the buddies that posted. Following my parents divorce, we lost all contact with my father's side of the family. I remember Johnny and I playing 'cowboys and cowgirl' when we were little and I especially remember his bright smile. Rest in peace little cousin. . . .
May 30, 2011
Manuel Pino B/2/8th Cav,1st Cav 68-69
manuel.manuel.pino728@gmail.com
Fellow Army Vietnam Brother
D Trp/3/4th Cav Rgt, 25th Inf Div
Mar 20, 2010
Jim Luton
jaluton@syr.edu
friend
syracuse ny
Pals
I've started to post a few words on this page before but nothing ever sounded right. John and I were childhood friends that had lots of fun together. Being a few years older than me, John taught me numerous things, but none greater than how to enjoy life. If I were to have a perfect older brother John would have been him. We had limited contact after he left for the service. I myself enlisted a few years later. There never seemed to be a great urgency to get back in touch as there would be plenty of time for that later in life. I was stationed in Phu Bai when I got the letter stating John had been killed.So much for there being a lot of time. After all these years I still reminise of John and his love for life. I wrote finally because I knew I could never put into words my true feelings. It leaves me to say he will always be remembered never forgotten. Simply put "Pals"
Oct 19, 2007
manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
“You are Remembered”
Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. “He which hath no stomach, to this fight, let him depart. But we in it, shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless you, for your Sacrifice!!!
Apr 25, 2007
Tom Coats
tcoats@gorge.net
friend
113, E., 2nd, Street, The Dalles, OR., 97058, USA
A good friend
I lived, next door, to John through 6, months, of Infantry, OCS.. The Army decided, on the last, day, of OCS., that John should, remain, an EM., which seemed like poor timing, to say nothing, of cruel and unusual. We were then both posted, to Ft. Knox, where we got, together, several times for a few, beers. The day, he reported into Ft. Knox, his outfit had an inspection, which John, an E-5, stood, in his dress, greens, with black stripes, down the trousers. Needless, to say, that was noticed and deemed inappropriate. John had, a remarkable sense, of humor and wisdom, beyond his years. His death saddens, me, to this day.
Jan 29, 2007
Mike McDole
mcdole@ev1.net
Served with John, in Viet Nam
33, Brushwood Ct., The Woodlands, TX., 77380, USA
My name, is Mike McDole and I served with John, for several months, at Cu Chi. I was originally, from California and my family and I, now live, in Texas. John and I were, on the same, tank, for a while and he was, a very good, friend and soldier. He was always, joking, about something and trying, to keep all of us, from being, to uptight. John and his wife, Sandy were expecting the birth, of their first, daughter, at the time, we were serving, together. John and Sandy attended the wedding, to my wife, Delores, while home on emergency leave, from Vietnam. I was still in Vietnam, when John, was killed, but Delores attended, his funeral and still remember every detail, to this date. John's memory will always hold, a special place, in our life. Delores and I will visit him, at The Wall, in Washington, D.C., on Memorial Day, 2000. Several friends and I will, be riding motorcycles to Ontario, CA., to join Run, For The Wall and travel across the U.S.A., to Washington, D.C. and participated, in Rolling Thunder. Please feel free, to contact us by e-mail, at mcdole@ev1.net.
Sunday, April 30, 2000
John Gahring
jgahring@earthlink.net
My friend
5465, NW., Odom Ct., Port St Lucie, FL., 34986, USA
What fun, we had, in OCS! John did not make it, but he and the rest of us, sure made it a lot, of fun! I often have, wondered, if he had, gone, to Vietnam as a LT., if he would, still, be living. The odds, were not good. I have been, told, that 50%, of us that were commissioned, in that class, of Oct., 5, 1967, were killed along, with John. I miss you, John and after all these years, still remember you, as my friend. John Gahring, Major, Retired.
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
We Remember
John is buried at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in La Puente, CA. BSM-OLC AM PH
Posted by: Robert Sage
Email: rsage@austin.rr.com
Monday, November 8, 2010
My Grandpa
John was my grandpa. I never met him and he died when my dad was only a year old, but I love him and I’m sure he was a great man and he will never be forgotten. I love you grandpa.
Posted by: Kendra
Relationship: grand-daughter
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Never Forgotten
FOREVER REMEMBERED
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."
Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.
We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:
Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.
F Posted by: Bill Nelson
Email: grite@yahoo.com
Relationship: NamVet 2/502 Inf 101 Abn 69-70
Tuesday, February 21, 2006rom your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers
Remembering John
In 1967 I went through 6 months of intense training in the same platoon with John Dobash. John was wise beyond his years, had a wonderful sense of humor, and was a true friend to his fellow platoon mates. Later, we were both stationed at Ft. Knox, before he shipped out to Viet Nam. I have often thought about John, and what he might have become. He deserved better.
Posted by: Tom Coats
Relationship: We served together
Thursday, December 26, 2002
Incident Report 69042525:
Helicopter OH-6A 66-14384
Information on U.S. Army helicopter OH-6A tail number 66-14384
The Army purchased this helicopter 0268
Total flight hours at this point: 00000600
Date: 04/25/1969
Incident number: 69042525.KIA
Unit: D/3/4 CAV
This was a Combat incident. This helicopter was LOSS TO INVENTORY
This was a Recon mission for Unarmed Recon
Unknown this helicopter was in Orbit at UNK feet and UNK knots.
South Vietnam
UTM grid coordinates: XT583292
Helicopter took 1 hits from:
Explosive Weapon; Non-Artillery launched or static weapons containing explosive charges. (HANDGREN)
The helicopter was hit in the Passenger Cargo Section
Systems damaged were: PERSONNEL
Casualties = 01 KIA, 02 INJ . .
The helicopter Crashed. Aircraft Destroyed.
Both mission and flight capability were terminated.
Burned
Original source(s) and document(s) from which the incident was created or updated: Defense Intelligence Agency Helicopter Loss database. Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center Helicopter database. Also: OPERA, LNOF, 90466, CASRP, CRAFX (Operations Report. Lindenmuth Old Format Data Base. Crash Facts Message. Casualty Report. )
Loss to Inventory
Crew Members:
P 1LT JENKINS MARTIN H RES
OB SP5 WALT JAMES R RES
CE SP5 DOBASH JOHN ERNEST KIA