John D. Samek

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.