Johnston Dunlop Fallen Ranger Me

Johnston Dunlop Fallen Ranger Memorial

Staff Sergeant Johnston Dunlop was born on 19 October 1938. He attended school in Auburn, New York and participated on the High School swimming team. At the age of 23, Johnston Dunlop enlisted in the Regular Army and started his career as a soldier. On 19 March 1967 Ranger Dunlop commenced his tour in the Republic of South Vietnam. Serving as a Patrol Leader with Company E 50th Infantry Long Ranger Patrol Airborne, 9th Infantry Division in the Mekong Delta he carried out numerous missions against hostile Viet Cong and North Vietnam Regular Army forces. On his last Long Range Patrol Staff Sergeant Dunlop was Killed In Action on 16 April, 1968, and as a result of his Gallant Actions while engaging the enemy he was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. The circumstances of this action are set out in the following Citation:

For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Staff Sergeant Dunlop distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions on 16 April 1968 as a leader of a ten-man long range reconnaissance ambush team operating near Binh Son. Sergeant Dunlop deployed his team along a main Viet Cong supply route and triggered a claymore mine ambush on a heavily armed enemy platoon which was walking down the trail. During the ensuing battle, he fearlessly exposed himself to enemy weapons to deliver a devastating volume of fire which inflicted many causalities on the numerically superior insurgent force. Seeing a wounded comrade close to the enemy positions, Sergeant Dunlop unhesitantly ran to the man's aid. During this maneuver, he was struck in the legs by a burst of automatic weapons fire and knocked to the ground. Continuing to fire, he crawled the last twenty meters to his wounded teammate, all the while shouting commands for fire support to his men. Finding his comrade dead, Sergeant Dunlop directed his team to continue its covering fire while he extracted the body. As he neared safety, Sergeant Dunlop was again struck by enemy fire and mortally wounded. Staff Sergeant Dunlop's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

Staff Sergeant Johnston Dunlop died a Warrior's death in the first month of his extended tour in Vietnam. He gave all he had and then some in his quest to complete the mission. Through his selfless service and dedication to duty he made the ultimate sacrifice in upholding the highest traditions of the Ranger Creed, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE A FALLEN COMRADE BEHIND". Staff Sergeant Dunlop by way of his gallant actions truly exemplified the Ranger Motto, "RANGERS LEAD THE WAY."

Each year at the 5th RTBn Open House, the USMRA has the honor of placing the names of Fallen Rangers on a road sign at the bridge that crosses the Etowah River on Camp Frank D. Merrill. Thanks to Bob Copeland, on 13 May 2006, John was one of those honored. 19 men and their family members were present to pay respects. Clancy and Connie Matsuda and son Matt, Roy and Sharron Barley, Freddie and Sherry Jenkins, Ray and Joyce Sonnier, Hilan and Delores Jones, Elbert and Gayle Walden and son Kenny, Jimmy Booth and son Jimmy, Bill Cheek, Bob Copeland, Rick Stetson, Sal DiSiascio, Tom Eggleton, Marty Finfrock, Doug MacCallum, Bob Hernandez, John Berg, Marshall Larsen, Greg Foreman and Kenneth McConkey.