PERCHARD JOHN R

CPT John R. Perchard was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 05/09/2011 at the age of 72.9
Marstons Mills, MA
Flight Class 69-36
Date of Birth 05/31/1938
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 5 SF GRP in 67-68, B/2/17 CAV 101 ABN in 71-72
Call signs in Vietnam BLUE DEVIL, BANSHEE 5
This information was provided by SSN search Aug 2011

More detail on this person: John Richard Perchard Mills Jr Obituaries 5-20-11 Barnstable Patriot, The (MA) - Friday, May 20, 2011 Marstons Mills -- John Richard Perchard, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army (Retired) died peacefully at his home in Marstons Mills May 9, 2011, surrounded by his wife and family. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Cullinan) Perchard of Quincy, predeceased him. As a soldier he epitomized the motto "Duty, Honor, Country." For 28 years he lived an Army life of service to his country. During those years he was stationed at numerous bases and posts in the United States and overseas. As an enlisted man in the 1950s he served as an aircraft welder with the Strategic Air Command supporting B-47 Stratojets, B-36 Peacemakers and U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. In support of the B-36s he traveled on temporary duty assignments from the Caribbean to French Morocco in North Africa and with the U-2s he worked from Argentina. He also served with the 501st Signal Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division and subsequently trained as an Army Special Forces (Green Beret) medic. He also served in the Dominican Republic as a medical platoon sergeant with the 319th Field Artillery of the 82nd Airborne Division in 1965. As an officer he commanded American, Australian and indigenous Montagnard tribesmen with Company C 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Northern I Corps Vietnam during 1967/1968. As a Mobile Strike Force (Mike Force) commander he personally put his Montagnard soldiers through parachute training and participated alongside them during their five qualifying parachute jumps. Returning to I Corps for his second tour of duty in Vietnam he flew Cobra helicopters while commanding members of B Troop 2/17th Air Cavalry with the 101st Airborne Division from Camp Eagle located outside of Hue, in 1971/1972. Following Vietnam, he continued to have a distinguished military career. He received many military decorations, a few of which included two Bronze Star Medals, Meritorious Service Medal, 24 Air Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Honor Medal First Class, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Massachusetts Medal of Merit. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Senior Army Aviator Wings, Master Parachutist Badge, Special Forces Tab and Vietnam Senior Parachutist Badge. Following his retirement from the Army he went to work for the US Postal Service where he retired after 18 years, last serving as the manager of post office operations with the SE New England District. He had earlier served as the postmaster at Chatham. He was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and the Army Command General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in addition to numerous other military schools. He was most appreciative of all the assistance his children provided during his illness. All contributed in meaningful ways whether helping to relieve his caregiver with personal care and nursing needs, home and yard maintenance, bringing spouses and grand children to visit, or simply communicating by phone and e-mail. In addition to spending time with his wife and traveling together he most enjoyed visiting with his children and grandchildren. He was a life member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association, 101st Airborne Division Association, Special Forces Association, Special Operations Association, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Military Officers Association of America, the Cape Cod Hangar of the Ancient and Sacred Order of Quiet Birdmen and a Distinguished Member of the Special Forces Regiment. He is survived by his wife and best friend Judy Perchard; three daughters, Danielle and her husband Todd Shea of East Sandwich, Bonnie and her husband Mike Giblin of Wilmington, NC, and Jackie Perchard of Boston; two sons, Bob Perchard and his wife Karyn of Seymour, CT, and John R. Perchard III and his wife Amy of Hingham; five grandchildren; Daniel Patrick and Margaret Jane of Wilmington, twin boys Declan Thomas and Trevor Quinlan of East Sandwich and Fiona Rose of Hingham. Other surviving family members include; sisters Patricia Thorne (Ray) of Weymouth, Ruth Perchard of Torrance, CA, retired QPD Lieutenant Bob Perchard (Linda) of Quincy and he was godfather to Jennifer Lee Perchard of Quincy. Several nieces and nephews survive him. His constant feline companion Ghost will miss him. He was dependent upon his retired postmaster friends, Bill and Jack, to visit regularly, providing temporary relief to his wife caregiver, and to bring his favorite Army style bacon sandwich. A funeral Mass was celebrated at Christ the King Church in Mashpee, with interment in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. Donations in his name may be made to Fisher House Boston, PO Box 230, South Walpole, MA 02071.

Burial information: Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne, MA

This information was last updated 03/23/2020

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024


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