Veteran Honored with North Star Honor Flight Nearly 60 Years Later

John Bangs, an 80-year-old veteran, recently experienced a moment of recognition and celebration through the North Star Honor Flight, nearly 60 years after his service in the United States Army. This commemorative journey not only honored his past but also provided an opportunity to reflect on his military experiences during the Vietnam War.

Bangs enlisted in 1965 at the age of 18 in Alden, Minnesota. He had the option to avoid military service with a doctor’s note but chose to serve his country. After completing basic training at Fort Worth, Texas, he continued his training at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, where he enjoyed the camaraderie with fellow soldiers and frequently visited Washington, D.C.

Following his training, Bangs was assigned to the 11th Cavalry in Vietnam, where he operated an armored personnel carrier. Reflecting on his time in Vietnam, Bangs noted, “Other companies saw more action than we had.” However, his deployment took a tragic turn in the summer of 1967, when he was wounded in action. That night, many in his platoon were injured or killed.

Bangs was evacuated to a hospital at Long Binh Post, where doctors removed shrapnel from his body and performed extensive surgery, including a large incision from his chest down his abdomen. He recalls receiving the Purple Heart while still recovering from anesthesia, a moment he admits is hazy in his memory.

After his recovery in Vietnam, he was transported to Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) before beginning his long journey back to the United States. His flight made a stop for fuel in Anchorage, Alaska, and he spent the night in either Virginia or West Virginia before arriving in Illinois for further medical treatment. Bangs completed his military service at Fort Knox until November 1967.

Upon returning to civilian life, Bangs worked at the Wilson & Co. meat packing plant until it burned down in 2001. He later transitioned to delivering parts for Auto Value, a role he held until retiring in January for health reasons.

In September, Bangs participated in the North Star Honor Flight, accompanied by his daughter. The journey began in Rochester, Minnesota, with a two-hour flight to the nation’s capital. During the trip, he visited various patriotic sites, including the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which he had not seen before. While he was familiar with many of the memorials from his training days in Maryland, the experience of visiting them as a veteran was profoundly meaningful.

Bangs expressed gratitude for the opportunity, noting that he had missed many veteran reunion events due to their cost. The emotional culmination of the day came when he returned to Minnesota, where the airport lobby was filled with supporters celebrating the veterans’ service. “I never thought I would ever see anything like that,” Bangs remarked, reflecting on the warm welcome.

The North Star Honor Flight aims to honor veterans by providing them with an opportunity to visit the memorials dedicated to their service. More information about this initiative can be found at northstarhonorflight.org.