John Fredrick Werner

John Fredrick Werner was born on the family farm in Iowa County. His mother died while he was a young man and he was raised by his father. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School and graduated from Williamsburg High School in the class of 1968. Werner joined the Army and trained as a helicopter technician. SP5 Werner deployed to Vietnam in January 1970 with the 1st Air Cavalry Division. On August 22, 1970 his base camp near Long Binh, South Vietnam was attacked by enemy rockets and mortars. SP5 Werner was wounded during the bombardment and he was evacuated to a military hospital. The 20-year-old Iowan died from fragmentation wounds the following day. His body was returned to Iowa and buried with full military rites at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Williamsburg. Werner was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Air Medal, and Purple Heart.