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Webster’s
Fallen from the Vietnam War
JOHN
ANDREW JABLONSKI
Personal
Data:
Birth
Date:
January 29, 1943
Birth
Place: Worcester, Massachusetts
Race:
Caucasion
Religion:
Roman Catholic
U.S.
Citizen:
Yes
Father’s
Name: Stephen F. Jablonski
Mother’s
Name: Mary (Kielbasa)
Jablonski
Sibling
Names: Stephen F. Jr.,
Robert
Marital
Status:
Single
Education:
Schools
Attended: St. Joseph's
Elementary School, Webster, Massachusetts
Bartlett High School, Webster,
Massachusetts
High
School Diploma: Yes
College
Attended: Norwich, University, Norwich, Connecticut
Nichols College, Dudley, Massachusetts*
College
Diploma: *1966
Selective
Service Data:
SSS
Local Board Number:
SSS
Local Board Location:
Military
Service Record:
Entry
Date: January 10, 1967
Entry
Mode: Enlistment
Entry
Location: Fort Jackson, South
Carolina
Home
of Record:
Webster, Massachusetts
Service
Branch:
Army
Service
Component:
Regular
Rank:
Sergeant
Rank
Abbrev:
SGT
Pay
Grade:
+ E4
MOS:
11B20
MOS
Title: Light Weapons
Infantry
MOS
Background:
Military
Education: LPC
Awards
Received:
Distinguished
Service Cross (posthumous); Bronze Star Medal (posthumous); Purple Heart
(posthumous); Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam
Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges
Earned: Combat Infantryman
Badge; Expert Badge with Auto Rifle Bar; Marksman Badge with Machine Gun Bar
Award
Citations:
Army Distinguished
Service Cross citation:
Specialist
Jablonski distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 8 August
1968 during a reconnaissance in force mission near Can Giuoc. His Company came
under intensive fire and was pinned down by a company of Viet Cong in
well-fortified positions. Observing that his platoon's point man, Specialist
Leslie Tegtmeier, had been wounded, Specialist Jablonski ran through the enemy
fusillade to provide covering fire for a medic who was trying to reach the
injured soldier. Discovering that the man had been fatally wounded, Specialist
Jablonski assaulted a bunker and destroyed it with a hand grenade. Returning to
the platoon with the body of his fallen comrade, Specialist Jablonski
voluntarily assumed the point position. Remaining calm and alert, he detected
four more Viet Cong bunkers and before the enemy had time to react, his platoon
engaged and destroyed the emplacements. After serving in the precarious position
for two hours, Specialist Jablonski was ordered to the rear by his platoon
leader. Ten minutes later, his platoon again came under intense enemy fire,
sustaining two more casualties. Without hesitation, Specialist Jablonski rushed
through the enemy fire and destroyed a second Viet Cong bunker. Maneuvering to
one of the casualties, he carried the wounded man to safety through a hail of
fire. Returning immediately to the front, he provided covering fire for other
members of his platoon who were maneuvering to destroy the remaining bunkers. As
his element moved forward, Specialist Jablonski again assumed the point
position. A short time later, he spotted two Viet Cong trying to escape. He ran
forward to engage the fleeing enemy, firing his weapon and throwing hand
grenades as he moved. He had killed one of the Viet Cong when fire from an
unseen bunker mortally wounded him. His dedication and indomitable spirit
prevented many casualties and served as an inspiration to the men of his
company.
Bronze
Star Medal citation:
To
Sergeant (then Specialist Four) John A. Jablonski for distinguishing himself
by outstanding meritorious service in connection with ground operations
against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 2 April
1968 to 8 August 1968.
Through
his untiring efforts and professional ability, he consistently obtained
outstanding results. He was quick to grasp the implications of new
problems with which he was faced as a result of ever changing situations
inherent in a counterinsurgency operation and to find ways and means to solve
those problems. The energetic application of his extensive knowledge has
materially contributed to the efforts of the United States mission to the
Republic of Vietnam to assist that country in ridding itself of the communist
threat to its freedom.
His
initiative, zeal, sound judgment and devotion to duty have been in the highest
tradition of the United States Army and reflect great credit on him and on the
military service.
Posthumous
Promotion: Yes
Length
of Service:
1 Year
Southeast
Asia Tour Data:
Date
Tour Commenced:
April 2, 1968
Major
Command: 9th Infantry Division
Land
Assignment:
Regiment: 31st
Infantry
Battalion:
6th
Battalion
Company: C
Company
Casualty
Data:
Casualty
Date:
August 8, 1968
Casualty
Time:
Casualty
Age:
25
Casualty
Data 1: Hostile,
Died
Casualty
Data 2: Multiple Fragmentation Wounds
Casualty
Data 3: Ground Casualty
Casualty
Province:
Long An
Casualty
Country:
South Vietnam
Located
In Or Near: Can Giuoc
District
Body
Recovered:
Yes
Burial/Memorial:
Burial
Location:
Burial
Plot Location:
Burial
Date:
Consigned
Funeral Home:
Military
Escort Name:
Webster's
Fallen Casualty Order:
8 of 9
Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Panel Number:
49W
Line Number:
31
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