Birth: Oct. 18, 1946, Compton, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Death: Oct. 8, 1968, Vietnam
Burial: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Plot: Dawn of Tomorrow, Wall Crypt 7403
NAME: John Bradford Stevens
A1C Stevens served with Det. 13, 600th Photographic Squadron at Nha Trang. On 9 October 1968, Airman Stevens, an aerial photographer, was covering a psychological warfare speaker mission aboard an O-2B aircraft from Nha Trang Air Base when radio contact was lost. A search party later found the wreckage and recovered his body. Investigation of the wreckage showed cause of crash due to enemy fire.
The pilot of the O-2 was very likely Lt. Charles H. Richardson of the 9th SOS also stationed at Nha Trang.
He left a young wife.
Hi Jeane.
It’s Dede Grisham.
Just found you here. Char has been hoping to find you in Tuscon.
If you see this message my email is Wood3102@aol.com
From,
The Grisham Family
Long Beach Ca.
Jeane, I was thinking about John today since Memorial Day is at hand. I wanted to share what I recall the night before John left us. A few of us went downtown Nha Trang and had a “few” beers. We were on our way back to base on a military bus after dark. The bus was pretty crowded because it was the last before curfew. We were laughing having fun, drunk as skunks… except John. He was the rock of our group. He was a couple of years older. One of our gang was a guy named Charlie Henry from New York. Anyway, we broke into song. Don’t remember who started it, but we were singing “My Girl” by the Temptations. We were holding on to the overhead rail because we didn’t have seats. The bus was tossing us around a bit, but we still kept singing and laughing. Anyway, the next day, part of the crew was TDY so we were headed back to Tan Son Nhat. John was assigned to Nha Trang and we knew he was heading home, back to Orlando AFB. Also, I was scheduled to go back in a couple of weeks. When we left Nha Trang that morning, I remember saying to John, “See you back in Orlando.” I remember the next day at Tan son Nhat , we were told that we lost a cameraman up in Nha Trang. When they told us it was John, it was pretty hard to believe. It has been many years now, but I know John is in a better place. I hope he’s taking some decent pictures in Heaven.
Tom Frye. Thank you for telling me what really happened, it’s strange that I was never told what happened. Thanks again. Jeane Stevens Allen
Jeane, are you John’s sister? I remember that John’s wife was named Candy (not sure of the spelling, could be Kandi or something like that). It seems that I remember that she was pregnant when John left for Vietnam. Just wondering if she gave birth and where John’s child is today.
George Field, thank you for your comment. It is so wonderful to know that John is still rememberd. It has been yeas since he was killed, He will always be in my heart. Thank you again ,that was so sweet. Jeane Stevens Allen
We are all so happy to do have this tribute for Johnny. It is long past due. We also honor his wonderful mother, who has been a second mother to all of her nieces and nephews over the years. We love you, Jeane!! I wish I could have known Johnny better. He was taken at such a young age – younger than my own youngest child. I can’t imagine how that hurt. In doing this tribute we all have the privilege to come to know our cousin, who served our country for US!
Hi Jeanene….. looking for Jeane
D.D. Grisham, neighbor. Long Beach Ca Wood3102@aol.com
I am John’s Mother. My nieces and nephews are giving a memorial celebration for him on Gold Star Mothers day. We now live Tucson Az. It will be his 70th birthday this year. I am so proud of my son. The thought that my nieces and nephew care this much about him and me is a wonderful loving gift.
John was my only child, he gave all he had for this country.
We agree Jeane. May you have peace.
I was stationed with John at Orlando Afb 66-68, went tdy with john to Washington, D.C. In 67 for six months, in sixty eight went to school at university of Oklahoma for training ,while
There john went to Nam,last time I saw my friends great smile.
George Field. thank you for your comment, It was so touching. It has been so long since John’s death, it nice to know he is still remembered. Thanks, Jeane Stevens Allen
I was with John the night before. The sad thing here, and not mentioned above, was that he had actually got a hop with the O-2B heading to Cam Rahn Bay to catch a flight on his way home. It was the end of his tour in Nam.