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In Memory of Army CPL

John Clark McDowell

Corsica, South Dakota, Douglas County

April 29, 1944 – January 9, 1968

Died as a result of wounds received on patrol duty in Long Khanh Province, South Vietnam.

          

John Clark McDowell was born in Sisseton, South Dakota on April 29, 1944, to Arthur D. and Caroline May (Sully) McDowell. He had a half sister, Gloria Morrison. In 1952, after the death of his grandparents, John went to live with Clarence L. and Gertrude Menning in Corsica, South Dakota. John was active in all areas of school, taking part in band, chorus, school plays, and all sports. He graduated from Corsica High School, and attended Southern State College in Springfield, South Dakota, for one year. He was employed at the local IGA store as a young man. John married Norma Mucky on May 28, 1966, and to this union was born a son, Dion James.

John Clark McDowell enlisted in the Army National Guard on April 7, 1965 at Platte, South Dakota. He took his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, A.I.T. schooling at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and tank training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. On April 13, 1967 Cpl. McDowell’s National Guard unit was put on active duty status, and on the second of September 1, 1967 he arrived in Vietnam.

On the 6th of January 1968, Cpl. John McDowell was “walking point” on night patrol. They encountered hostile forces and he was severely wounded in a firefight. Cpl. McDowell was taken to the 24th Evacuation Hospital and died three days later.

Cpl. John Clark McDowell earned the Bronze Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam campaign ribbon, and the Combat Infantry Badge. Interment was in the Corsica Cemetery, in Corsica, South Dakota. Cpl. John Clark McDowell’s name can be found on Panel 34 E, Line 009 of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

Kyla Fischer, 8th grade, Stanley County Middle School, Fort Pierre, South Dakota respectfully submitted this entry on January 18, 2006. Jamie McDowell, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, son of Cpl. John Clark McDowell, provided the information.