SAMEK JOHN D

MAJ John D. Samek was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 09/03/2024 at the age of 81.1
Pensacola, FL
Flight Class 66-19
Date of Birth 07/30/1943
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 243 ASHC in 70-71
Call sign in Vietnam FREIGHT TRAIN
This information was provided by Hans J. Underwood

More detail on this person: John D. Samek, Sr., Major, Ret. USA, passed away on September 3rd. Born in Brooklyn, NY, on July 30th, 1943, John graduated from WORWAC 66-19, earning his Army Aviator Badge (wings) on December 6th, 1966. He was a turnaround student for AMOC and, after graduation, was assigned to the 134th Aviation Company to help reactivate it. He attended CH-47, AH-1G & Q, OH-23, UH-1, and CH-47 Test Pilot transitions. John served tours in South Korea with the 2nd Aviation Company, 2nd Infantry Division (1967-1968), Vietnam with the 243rd ASH Company (1970-1971), and Germany with the 205th Transportation Company (1977-1980). He received several awards, including the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Valor, and the Meritorious Service Medal. He graduated from the Command and General Staff College in 1981. John was preceded in death by his wife, Brenda Samek, on September 27th, 2022. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl, his two sons, John Jr. and Jason, and three grandchildren. Please send additions or corrections to: Hans J. Underwood, webmaster 13thahc.com

This information was last updated 01/13/2025

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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025