John Edward Tarantowicz

The database page for John Edward Tarantowicz

17 Apr 2002 "To live in the hearts we leave behind, is never to have died." (Thomas Campbell, circa 1888) A memorial from a friend. loridubell@aol.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall At one time, it was thought that two men died when a light helicopter tasked with an artillery spotting mission was shot down on 08 Apr 1967 - the pilot, WO Larry G. Hatch of the 17th Aviation Group, and the observer, 1LT John E. Tarantowicz, from HQ Battery, 1st Cav Div Artillery. When the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial was built, the two men appeared on Panel 17 East - WO Hatch on Row 122, 1LT Tarantowicz on Row 129 - but then an odd thing happened: Larry Hatch turned up very much alive. While Hatch had been injured in the incident he had survived his injuries and his name had been included in error. Although he now has been removed from the official list of casualties on the Wall, "Larry G. Hatch" still appears at 17E/122. Regretably, no error had been made with respect to 1LT Tarantowicz. John Tarantowicz had graduated from the Fort Sill Artillery Officers' Basic Course in Class 1965-11 (started 14 May 1965; finished 26 October 1965), arrived in Vietnam on 28 July 1966 - and was killed in action there.

Top of Page www.VirtualWall.org Back to To alpha index T PA State Index . Panel 17E 1 CAV DIV Index Contact Us

With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 08/10/2009