JOHN W. HELD, LTCOL, USAF
John Held '58
Lucky Bag
From the 1958 Lucky Bag:
JOHN WAYNE HELD
Elwood, Indiana
Jack came to us from both Indiana and Florida, and always had a hard time in choosing between them. He never let it bother him though, and soon established himself as a hard man to beat. His academic prowess kept him on the Supe's list and gave him plenty of time to drag around the Academy. His freedom from academics also enabled him to distinguish himself on the intramural field. Working out with the battalion gymnasts or pitching many victories for the company Softball team both proved easy for him. His demonstrated abilities and friendly manner add up to a bright future for Jack in any career.
He was also a member of the 3rd Company staff (fall).
JOHN WAYNE HELD
Elwood, Indiana
Jack came to us from both Indiana and Florida, and always had a hard time in choosing between them. He never let it bother him though, and soon established himself as a hard man to beat. His academic prowess kept him on the Supe's list and gave him plenty of time to drag around the Academy. His freedom from academics also enabled him to distinguish himself on the intramural field. Working out with the battalion gymnasts or pitching many victories for the company Softball team both proved easy for him. His demonstrated abilities and friendly manner add up to a bright future for Jack in any career.
He was also a member of the 3rd Company staff (fall).
Loss
John was killed in action on April 17, 1968 when the A-37 Dragonfly he was piloting was shot down about 10 miles east of the city of Bo Duc, Vietnam.
Shipmate
From the April 1976 issue of Shipmate:
LCol. John Wayne Held USAF was officially declared killed in action on 21 August 1975. His attack fighter aircraft was shot down in Vietnam 17 April 1968 and he had been listed as missing in action. A Worship Service was held in his memory on 30 August 1975 at The Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Annapolis.
Entering the Naval Academy from the State of Florida, he was graduated in the Class of 1958. After pilot training with the Air Force, he was assigned as an instructor pilot at various Air Training Command bases. He reported for duty in the Republic of South Vietnam in July of 1967. During his Air Force career, LCol. Held was awarded the Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 Oak Leaf cluster, the Silver Star, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit award, in addition to campaign and service decorations.
He is survived by his widow, Joan, now married to Lt. Jonathan H. Saxman USN '68, of 411 Monterey, Annapolis MD 21401; four children, and his father, John E. Held of Elwood, Indiana.
Photographs
From the April 1976 issue of Shipmate.
Remembrances
From Wall of Faces:
My name is Kathy and I was very little when I knew Jack. We lived in South Bend and he and his buddies would come to our house for the night. I remember sitting on the sink watching him shave. My parents used to tell me that when he was around I never left his side. I still have a 50 year old stuffed rabbit I named Jackie Bunny and of course I have his bracelet. I recently went to the Healing Wall in Leroy, Illinois and found his name on the wall and got a printed picture of him.
I will always remember him and miss him. 7/30/2015
Thanks to each of you who left a rememberance for my dad. Jack (his nickname) was very special man who Loved his family and his country very much. He would be pleased to know that so many of you wore his bracelet for so many years. I wish I had more to tell you about my dad, but I was only five when he left for the war. Please feel free to email me if you would like to visit more. CINDY HELD ROSE [email protected], 7/10/12
John's son is our son-in-law and a retired Navy Capt. He would make his father proud! JANE BOYER MCGUIGAN, 7/31/15
Even after all these years I miss my old friend. Best friend in High School and then he was off to Annapolis and I to the US Navy. Many correspondences during those years, but lost track during Vietnam. Finally found him on the "Wall' - sad!!! DAVID TAYLOR, 4/19/14
Distinguished Flying Cross
Unable to find a citation for the Distinguished Flying Cross mentioned above.
Related Articles
James Moore '58 was also in 3rd Company's Fall leadership set.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
