Rank/Branch: E3/US Army
Unit: Company A, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Brigade
Date of Birth: 07 January 1950 (Columbus OH)
Home City of Record: Lebanon OH
Date of Loss: 27 January 1969
Country of Loss: South Vietnam
Loss Coordinates: 103954N 1062519E (XS555802)
Status (in 1973): Missing in Action
Category: 2
Aircraft/Vehicle/Ground: Ground
Other Personnel in Incident: (none missing)
SYNOPSIS:
The unit was inserted by helicopter and began a sweep. While crossing a field, Conger's company was taken under fire by enemy machine guns.
During the initial fire four men were wounded. PFC Conger moved up to attempt
to knock out the machine gun nest and was reportedly wounded in the right shoulder and neck.
Attempts to recover Conger and five other wounded individuals
at that time were unsuccessful because of continuing fire.
On January 28, U.S. artillery and
aircraft shelled and bombed the area while U.S. ground forces cordoned off the area. By January 29, the area had been secured, but Conger and the other individuals could not be located.
On October 13, 1969, the remains
of the individuals who had been missing with Conger were found, but no trace of Conger was located. No further searches were conducted.
PFC John Conger was declared Missing in Action. It was never learned whether he was killed that day in January or not. He might have survived
to be taken prisoner.
As reports continue to flow in
indicating that Americans are still alive and captives in Southeast Asia, it becomes increasingly apparent that PFC Conger could be among them. If so, what must he be thinking of his country?
information on Vietnam Era POW/MIA's provided by Operation Just Cause have been supplied by Chuck and Mary Schantag of POWNET.
ABOUT OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS THAT WERE NEVER RETURNED TO US, I WAS SHOCKED.
THE STORY ABOVE IS A TRUE STORY ABOUT JUST ONE OF THE MANY THAT ARE STILL MISSING. JOHN CONGER, JR. IS THE POW/MIA THAT I HAVE ADOPTED AND PROMISED TO WRITE LETTERS
TO OUR GOVERNMENT CONCERNING HIS WHEREABOUTS AND WHY HE OR HIS REMAINS HAVE NOT BEEN RETURNED SAFELY TO HIS FAMILY AND THE U.S.A.
JOHN IS FROM MY HOME STATE OF OHIO AND LIVED SOUTH OF WHERE I GREW UP
When I sent the form to adopt
a MIA/POW as my cause, I only requested that I could have a name that was from my home state of Ohio. When I received the name though, it was even dearer to me as I have three people named John that are dear to me. My husband is named John, his father's name was John and we have a wonderful firstborn son is named John Jr. I truly can emphathize with the people and the parents of my adopted MIA/POW if I had
not seen my husband or son since he left for a tour of duty with the Armed Services. How terrible and heartbreaking that must be.
POEM FROM A MOTHER
Bring my baby home.....at least for a day
Even if I can't wipe the tears away -
At least I can see him one more time...
And then in my heart, I'll know he's fine -
He was so young when he went away....
he had no idea it would be such a long stay -
He has suffered so much for you and I...
please bring my baby home before I die -
I just need to gaze on his face once more...
So long since he left our shore -
I'll hold him in such a long embrace...
Ahhhh..just to see that face -
It's weathered, It's worn...He looks so forlorn -
He has longed to be home for so many years...
He long ago forgot how to cry many tears -
He doesn't even know or remember who he set out to be...
He only remembers that he saved you and me And
the wonderful land once more that our forefathers named
when they reached this shore
"AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL"
"AMERICA THE FREE"
That's what my baby did for you and me -
PLEASE SET HIM FREE
He didn't ask much...
He was so proud to go do his duty with the rest of the crowd -
But he just wants to come home now and rest...
He is so weary -
Copyright © July 1999
Over 2,000 POW/MIA(s) are still missing since Vietnam.
WE CAN NEVER, NEVER SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH
FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR COUNTRY
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