John Runyon Neary

The database page for John Runyon Neary

09 Jan 2003 I knew John from junior high school through high school. We went to different high schools in the oil field town of Odessa, Texas. John was at Permian and I at Odessa High School. I used to run into John and he was always upbeat. I didn't know about John's death for a long time after I came out of the service. John arrived in Vietnam two weeks before I did during the Tet Offensive of 1968. He was killed in May of 1968. I had been medevaced out of country in March and I didn't get back into country until mid-April. John was one of six members of his 1965 graduating class at Permian High School, Odessa, Texas to be killed in Vietnam. They were Marvin Rex Young, U.S. Army Medal of Honor Recipient; Dale Farris, U.S. Air Force; Mike Gladden, U.S. Army Airborne; Randall Jarrell, USMC; and Bobby L. Eaton, USMC. From a friend and home-town acquaintance, Billy M. Brown 05 Aug 2006 John is remembered on the Permian Basin Vietnam Veterans' Memorial located at the airport in Midland, Texas. John's family was presented the Bronze Star for valor and the Republic of Vietnam Military Merit Medal after his death. From a friend and PBVVM representative, Billy M. Brown 4015 Melody Lane, Odessa, Texas 79762 bmbrown@grandecom.net

26 Jul 2006 I remember John from 1966. We were in school together at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene. We weren't close, but we did hang out with each other. We were on the University ROTC rifle team together. I was greatly saddened to learn of his death. I hope people give thanks for men like John. I do. From a friend, Jim G. E-mail address is not available.

A Note from The Virtual Wall Amongst the additional forces sent to Vietnam to help deal with the Tet Offensive and its aftermath was the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade, including the 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment. The battalion lost seven men on 01 May 1968 in an action at Bon Tri, 3 kilometers west of Hue: A Company: MSG Sherman J. Hussey, Carthage, NC SGT Paul M. Nance, Washington, NC SP4 James R. Fedro, Fort Worth, TX PFC James S. Allport, Marlowe Heights, MD PFC Errol M. Barrimond, New York, NY PFC John R. Neary, Odessa, TX B Company: PFC George A. Smith, Cincinnati, OH

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Memorial first published on 8 Jan 2004
Last updated 08/10/2009