More detail on this person: I have just been
informed by the Daughter of Col.John Klose that he
has passed away this day due to congestive heart
failure. Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site:
03/10/2024
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John was a Major, and our S3 during his tour with
the 128th AHC. He was an efficient Operations
Officer,, an excellent flight lead, and
demonstrated his braveness under fire many times.
His professionalism and personality made him a
model aviator and someone that we all looked up
to. Any one of us, who flew with him as a
Tomahawk, would have followed him into hell.
I don't think that will be necessary now, cause I
don't believe that is where he's headed. A loving
husband, a fine father, a worthy role model and
not the least, a
good friend. He will be missed by all those who
had the pleasure to know him. May the lord be
with his family as they go thru this time of
grief, and
may he rest in peace.
From: Doc Daugherty
John had a can-do attitude. He enlisted in the
Army at 19 and made it his career. He retired as a
Colonel and a much decorated Vietnam Veteran.
He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, one with
the 128th AHC and one as the S-3 of the 223rd Avn
Bn, earning nearly 50 medals for bravery, heroism
and gallantry, including two Silver Stars and the
Distinguished Flying Cross. He was awarded the
Purple Heart for wounds suffered when he was shot
down twice. He was one of the most instrumental
planners and executors of Lam Son 719, he bravely
flew everyday throughout the operation, numerous
times placing himself at terrific risk for the
safety of others. He commanded the 158th Aviation
Battalion, 101st Airborne Division from 1974-1976.
After leaving the military, John was the Public
Information Officer for the Stockton Unified
School District. He was known locally for his bow
ties, and for answering questions from the
national media after the Cleveland School shooting
in 1989.
John also served on the San Joaquin County Board
of Education and taught Public Relations at the
University of the Pacific. In retirement, John
entertained a network of family and friends across
the country with The Klose Report, a weekly
compilation of stories, humor and political
commentary.
John leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Doris
Klose, who was his high school sweetheart, and
their four children: Kathleen Fader, Cynthia Hull,
Chris Klose and Karen Klose as well as four
grandchildren: Tyler Fader, Kristen Klose, Michael
Hull and Jordan Hull. Family members were with
him when he passed away. A local memorial
service is pending and his final resting place
will be at Arlington National Cemetery.
From: Rich Johnson
I received the information below from Jim Williams
who used to be the Ft Rucker Historian. Most of
the Lam Son 719 veterans I know were warrant
officers or captains.
John AG Klose was the S3 of the 223 Avn Bn at
Dong Ha who was over Lam Son 719 almost all the
time.
He is the highest ranking pilot I interviewed
about LS 719. The pain this guy carried was
absolutely incredible. He was over the fiasco at
Lolo on 03 Mar 71, he was over Sophia when
Nelson, Moreia, Hatley and King were trying to get
a shot up Phoenix C158 slick back to Khe Sahn
when it blew up. He was over the Joker gun that
got hit by a mortar round on Mar 19 71, he was
over Barker when he went in on 20 Mar.
He visited Fr Rucker and agreed to brief his
recollections of LS 719 so they could be taped. I
have converted that tape to DVD. When I watch
that painful performance I recall Doogie Trump's
desire to not talk about LS 179, I alway recall
Oggie's comments about how he hated to see the
sun come up, and I will never forget Guy "Cowboy"
Martin's words to me in Aug 71 about making sure
all my survival gear worked and why.
Below is the note from his family. He will be
buried in Arlington. I will provide information
when I get it. I suspect it will be late Aug or
Early Sep to do the interment because the list is
long in front of him. At 2-3 funerals per hour,
between 0900 and 1500, it takes a while to pay the
last respects.
There are those today, who hate John AG Klose
and what he represented. Now they hate a dead
man. He constantly teared up talking about the
horrible losses between 08 feb to 24 mar 1971 in
Laos.
From: Mike Sloniker
John A. G. Klose December 22, 1935 - August 2,
2006
John A. G. Klose loved rules and acronyms. He
had one for everything, from cooking the perfect
steak to the best way to study, and even how to
live your life. In his last years, he followed
what he called "ABC", and wanted to share it with
everyone he knew: Positive Attitude, Belief
System, and making good Choices. Those were the
keys to a happy life.
John had a can-do attitude. He enlisted in the
Army at 19 and made it his career. He retired as a
Colonel and a decorated war hero. He served two
tours of duty in Vietnam, earning nearly 50 medals
for bravery, heroism and gallantry, including two
Silver Stars and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds
suffered when he was shot down twice in 13
minutes.
After leaving the military, John was the Public
Information Officer for the Stockton Unified
School District. He was known locally for his bow
ties, and for answering questions from the
national media after the Cleveland School shooting
in 1989.
John also served on the San Joaquin County Board
of Education and taught Public Relations at the
University of the Pacific. In retirement, John
entertained a network of family and friends across
the country with The Klose Report, a weekly
compilation of stories, humor and political
commentary.
John leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Doris
Klose, who was his high school sweetheart, and
their four children: Kathleen Fader, Cynthia Hull,
Chris Klose and Karen Klose as well as four
grandchildren: Tyler Fader, Kristen Klose, Michael
Hull and Jordan Hull.
Family members were with him when he passed
away. A local memorial service is pending and his
final resting place will be at Arlington National
Cemetery.