Our walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Navy CDR John Anthony Feldhaus, Age 28 of Lawrenceburg, TN.
KIA Oct. 8, 1966 Vietnam
Commander John Anthony Feldhaus, Served with Attack Squadron 152 (VA-152), Carrier Air Wing 16 (CVW-16), USS Oriskany, Task Force 77 (TF-77), 7th Fleet.
Commander John A Feldhaus was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroism and extraordinary achievement in flight while serving as a Pilot on the USS Oriskany, Task Force 77, 7th Fleet.
Feldhaus, a Navy lieutenant, was shot down over North Vietnam’s Thanh Hoa province. His A-1H Skyraider was struck by enemy fire as he returned from a bombing mission. The plane went down on October 8, 1966, five days after his 28th birthday.
There was no evidence that Feldhaus, a father of four, survived the crash, and he officially remained missing in action, until he was declared dead about a decade later. The pilot’s remains lay in the field where the single-engine bomber drilled a 20-foot-deep crater.
It appeared the rice field would be his permanent final resting place until last month, when the service informed Feldhaus’ children and siblings that DNA testing had positively identified remains from the crash as the late Navy aviator.
Tuesday morning, his children and siblings will bury their father and brother with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.
Navy CDR Feldhaus is honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on Panel 11E, Line 60.
His remains were recovered on June 27, 2000 and identified on October 25, 2001. His name is inscribed on the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial.
We had a great 8.51 mile walk today. We walked by the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) office and then made a stop out at the American Legion on 127 south. We then headed towards town and made a quick stop by the City Police station and then to over to Boats & Harbors to see their big boat anchor. We then walked up to the War Memorial Park. We then headed north on 127 and made a stop for some Lemonade over by the U-Haul. It was great. We then headed back. I want to thank my friend Robert for walking with us today and I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping us honor this hero today. We had 211 honks. It was amazing. Thank You.
Navy CDR John Anthony Feldhaus will not be forgotten !
