John Gaylord Kopriva

John Gaylord Kopriva was raised on a farm outside of Traer in Tama County. He graduated from the North Tama Community School District in the class of 1966. Kopriva went on to study at the University of Northern Iowa for a year and a half. He was drafted by the Army in May 1968 and trained as an infantryman. SP4 Kopriva arrived in Vietnam on October 10, 1968 and was assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry in the 1st Cavalry Division. Five months into his tour he was wounded in action and was awarded the Purple Heart. He returned to his unit and was killed on June 21, 1969. His death was cited as a friendly fire incident. A Huey gunship was firing on an enemy position at close range to the American unit. SP4 Kopriva was fatally wounded by the friendly air support. He was posthumously promoted to Sergeant by the Army. The 20-year-old Iowan’s body was returned to the United States and buried at the Saint Paul’s Catholic Cemetery in Traer.