Jan Douglas Garringer

Corporal
HMM-161, MAG-16, 1ST MAW
United States Marine Corps
06 March 1949 - 16 February 1970
Bensenville, Illinois
Panel 13W Line 019

1ST MAW CH-46 HMM-161
USMC Combat Aircrew

Air Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign

The database page for Jan Douglas Garringer

04 Dec 2001

Killed in VietNam when his helicopter hit a mountain during a rescue mission, Jan was committed to doing his job to save others under attack or injured.

"To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson -

You are missed, Jan.
We love you.

A memorial initiated by his sister-in-law,
Bonnie Garringer
E-Mail may be forwarded via the
Webmaster@VirtualWall.org

05 Apr 2006

I am Jan's little sister. I was 7 years old when my brother was killed in Vietnam. I did not have the honor to know Jan as I should have been able. To those have left messages because you knew my brother: thank you! Those words are my only link to who he was. If there are others who knew Jan, please write. I miss him and feel cheated that I did not have the oppurtunity to know him. My older brothers and sisters have their memories, but the only ones I have are of his funeral. Thanks to each and every service man who honored our country. Jandy, I really miss you. Life would have been so different if you had come home. I love you ... T.K.

From his sister,
Tina K Atwater
tinaatwater@charter.net

A Note from The Virtual Wall

On the night of 16 Feb 1970, a CH-46D (BuNo 153954) of HMM-161 was dispatched on an emergency blood resupply mission. During the mission the aircraft impacted a mountaintop, just a few feet below the summit, 13.5 miles east-southeast of Phu Bai, Thua Thien Province. All five crewmen were killed in the crash:
  • 1stLt. A. C. DeCraene, Pilot
  • 1stLt. J. W. Sampsell, Copilot
  • Cpl. J. D. Garringer, Crew Chief
  • Cpl. R. J. Wiese, Gunner
  • LCpl. D. W. Morin, Gunner
"Cpl Jan Garringer was my roomate . . . Jan was our top Crewchief who was an all around All-American guy. Tall, blonde hair, always a smile, he liked Elvis' music and was going to extend his duty six months after he took some leave to go home to his sister's wedding."
Phillip L. Shorter, Squadron Legal & Awards Clerk

From the
USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association site



The point-of-contact for this memorial is
his sister-in-law,
Bonnie Garringer
E-Mail may be forwarded via the
Webmaster@VirtualWall.org
4 Dec 2001



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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 04/08/2006