John Wilbur Sams Jr

John Wilbur Sams Jr. was born in Union County on October 15, 1948. He attended Arispe and Union High School. During his senior year he moved to Knoxville, IA with his parents, brother, and four sisters. In February 1969, Sams was drafted into the Army. He began his basic training at Fort Lewis, WA and attended paratrooper school at Fort Benning, GA. He achieved the rank of Private First Class and served with the 101st Airborne Division. He started his tour in Vietnam in October 1969, and received his diploma from sniper's school in February 1970. PFC Sams was killed on March 22, 1970 in the Thua Thien Province, South Vietnam at an artillery firing position when the area came under mortar attack by hostile forces. His remains were returned to Iowa and his funeral was held at Bybee and Davis Funeral Home in Knoxville, IA.