John Henry Pate Jr. Died of Wounds in the Military Region 3 – Hua Nghia, Vietnam

Sp/5 John H. Pate, Jr., 27, Pine Grove Road. Was killed in Vietnam Sunday in a Viet Cong mortar attack, his wife learned yesterday.

Spec. Pate, who was to have returned home for discharge in July was a clerk in his headquarters unit at Chu Chi. South Vietnam. His wife, the former Miss Shirley Murphy said she was told that he was hit by mortar fragments and died at a hospital.

Mrs. Pate said she had resigned from her job at the East Tennessee Acoustical Co., Friday to prepare for her husband’s homecoming. Mr. Pate, who had been an employee of the Knoxville Milk Producers Association before entering the Army in July 1966, had been stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., before going to Vietnam last July.

The couple’s only child, a son, died shortly after birth. They were married eight years ago.

Spec. Pate was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Pate, Norris Freeway. He was a 1959 graduate of Norris High School where he was active in sports. He was a member of Sand Branch United Methodist Church, where Mrs. Pate is the organist.

He also leaves grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Claude White. Norris Freeway, and Mrs. Ella Lee, Knoxville.

The body will be returned to McCarty’s.

-The Knoxville News Sentinel, May 7, 1968 p.1 & p. 11

  • Rank: Sergeant
  • Date of birth:
  • 11 September 1940
  • Date of death: 5 May 1968
  • County: Anderson
  • Service Branch: Army
  • Division/Assignment: 25th Infantry Division
  • Conflict: Vietnam
  • Awards: Purple Heart
  • Burial/Memorial Location: Asbury Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, TN
  • Location In Memorial: Pillar XXII, Top Panel
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