Rank: Sergeant
Unit: Air Cavalry Troop, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment
MOS: 11D – Armor Reconnaissance Specialist
Awards: Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal with Valor Device and Three Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
Badges: Army Aircrew Badge
Unit awards: Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm device
Note: OH-6A, Observer, tail # 69-16007
Enlisted by: Regular
Date of birth: 12-Oct-1946
Hometown: Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Marital status: Married to Linda A. Garnes, two daughters
Campaign: Vietnam Conflict
Entered service: 11-Dec-1969
Start of tour: 8-Sep-1971
Incident date: 30-Oct-1971
Date of casualty: 30-Oct-1971
Age at death: 25
Cause of death: Hostile, died. Helicopter Crash — Passenger (MC). Aircraft loss, crash not at sea.
Jack Allen Garnes was killed while an observer on a military aircraft on a military mission when the aircraft was fired upon by a hostile ground force, crashed and burned. / Observer on OH-6A on visual reconnaissance mission, received hostile small arms fired and rocket propelled grenade (RPG) rounds. Crashed and burned.
Location of fatality: Binh Duong, South Vietnam, XT 633 304
Place of interment: Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado, USA
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AIR MEDAL
WITH VALOR DEVICE
POSTHUMOUS
SERGEANT JACK ALLEN GARNES
30 OCTOBER 1971
AIR CAVALRY TROOP
11TH ARMORED CAVALRY REGIMENT
Sergeant Garnes distinguished himself by heroism in aerial flight on 30 October 1971. Disregarding his own safety, he courageously exposed himself to the dangers inherent in aerial flight as he directed his efforts toward neutralizing the enemy threat. His heroic and valiant actions contributed materially to the successful accomplishment of the United States mission in the Republic of Vietnam and were characterized by a great concern for the welfare of his comrades. His heroic actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, 3rd Brigade (Separate), 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) General Orders No. 142 (26 January 1972)