October 3, 2016 at 5:32 p.m.
Retrospect: Soldier killed in Vietnam laid to rest
Retrospect: Soldier killed in Vietnam laid to rest
Fifty years ago this week, Jay County laid to rest John Allen Bryan, a Portland native who became the first Jay County man to be killed in action in Vietnam.
On Sept. 30, 1966, the 21-year-old Marine was buried at Green Park Cemetery with military rites, following a funeral service at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where Bryan was a member.
Bryan was killed Sept. 18, 1966, as result of a gunshot wound in the neck. When shot, he was driving in a Jeep with his company commander during an operation.
His duties in Vietnam largely involved handling business administration duties for his commanding officer.
Bryan’s military career was not his only service to his country. Following his graduation from Portland High School in 1963, he worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., for a year and a half.
Following his return from Washington, he attended Ball State University for two semesters.
“But as the Vietnamese conflict intensified, he became convinced that his place was over there — and particularly with the Marines,” former CR editor Dan Rottenberg wrote in a Sept. 21, 1966, article following Bryan’s death.
Bryan enlisted in the Marines on Aug. 18, 1965.
“He felt to do otherwise would be dodging the draft,” his sister, Verlinda, said.
He was promoted to lance corporal less than three months before his death.
The news of Bryan’s death reportedly cast a pall over the Portland community, where he was an active student.
At Portland High School, he was a member of the Panthers’ football and track teams as well as Hi-Y and Pep Club.
“He was such a fine young man, and very ambitious. I remember him for his seriousness of purpose and his hard work,” Portland High guidance counselor Sparkle Crowe said following his death. “He wanted to do something to make a contribution to the world.”
At the time of his death, Bryan was believed to be the first graduate of Portland High School to be killed in action since World War II.
In total, 14 Jay County men were killed in Vietnam from 1964 from 1971, according to the Museum of the Soldier’s Matt Simmons.
On Sept. 30, 1966, the 21-year-old Marine was buried at Green Park Cemetery with military rites, following a funeral service at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where Bryan was a member.
Bryan was killed Sept. 18, 1966, as result of a gunshot wound in the neck. When shot, he was driving in a Jeep with his company commander during an operation.
His duties in Vietnam largely involved handling business administration duties for his commanding officer.
Bryan’s military career was not his only service to his country. Following his graduation from Portland High School in 1963, he worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, D.C., for a year and a half.
Following his return from Washington, he attended Ball State University for two semesters.
“But as the Vietnamese conflict intensified, he became convinced that his place was over there — and particularly with the Marines,” former CR editor Dan Rottenberg wrote in a Sept. 21, 1966, article following Bryan’s death.
Bryan enlisted in the Marines on Aug. 18, 1965.
“He felt to do otherwise would be dodging the draft,” his sister, Verlinda, said.
He was promoted to lance corporal less than three months before his death.
The news of Bryan’s death reportedly cast a pall over the Portland community, where he was an active student.
At Portland High School, he was a member of the Panthers’ football and track teams as well as Hi-Y and Pep Club.
“He was such a fine young man, and very ambitious. I remember him for his seriousness of purpose and his hard work,” Portland High guidance counselor Sparkle Crowe said following his death. “He wanted to do something to make a contribution to the world.”
At the time of his death, Bryan was believed to be the first graduate of Portland High School to be killed in action since World War II.
In total, 14 Jay County men were killed in Vietnam from 1964 from 1971, according to the Museum of the Soldier’s Matt Simmons.
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