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:
01/11/2025
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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.