15th Veteran of the Quarter, John Porter, US Marines
May 25, 2014
Nomination and Story by: Joyce Porter, Spouse
John Porter joined the US Marines in April of 1966 on the 120-day delay plan. He went active in August 1966 and was in boot camp until December 1966. In January 1967, he went to Camp Lejune until May 1967 when he went to Cuba until October of 1967; then on to Operation Against Guerilla Welfare School.
John married Joyce Niemoller on October 28, 1967. He then left for Vietnam in November of 1967. He was assigned to H 2/5 1st Marine Division. John was wounded on the first day of the Tet Offensive on January 30, 1968. He fought in Hue for 27 days in temporary assignment duty to Sub Unit 1 Base Defense PHU. 131. He was a radioman during the Tet. He did jungle operations until December 1968. After returning home, John created training films for the remaining time in service for H.S. Company.
John received the following Medals and Citations: Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, US Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, United States Service in Vietnam War Medal with Two Bronze Battle Stars and One Silver Star, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Bronze Palm, Vietnam Civil Action Honor Unit Citation with Bronze Palm, and the Vietnam War Service Medal with 60 Date Bar.
When John moved to Branson in 2001, he realized that there was not an organization for Vietnam Veterans. With the help of others, John helped establish the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 913 in Branson in 2002.
To nominate a local Veteran for the Branson Bank Veteran of the Quarter, please visit our website: www.bransonbank.com or stop by any of our Branson Bank location to pick up a Nomination Form. Veterans are chosen by a panel of their peers.
THE PROUD. THE STRONG. THE LOYAL. OUR VETERANS!