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John
Chipura Age: 40 City of Residence: N/A Employer: FDNY 105 Physical Description: Height 5'10", weight 265 lbs. Distinguishing Characteristics: Multiple Native American tattoos Last seen: N/A Case Number: N/A Additional information: N/A Photo
and information are courtesy of CNN |
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JOHN CHIPURA STILL MISSING John Chipura, a Beirut veteran (24th MAU HQ) and a member of our online community of Beirut veterans and family members, is also a NYC fireman and has been missing since 11 Sept 2001. It is believed that he was one of the first to respond to the WTC tragedy and may have been affected by the resultant collapse of the building. John was also near the explosion on 23 Oct, 1983 and participated in the Beirut Marine Barracks rescue operations. Our hearts go out to his family and fiancee. He was soon to be married, in a month or so. Please say a prayer for John and his family. NAME: John G. Chipura SERVICE: USMC DEPLOYMENT: Beirut in 82/83 UNIT: 24 MAU Comm Section RANK: was L/Cpl there, discharged a Cpl in July 84 from 3rd LAAM Bn PAST EMAIL FROM JOHN CHIPURA - Significant Thoughts
Writes
friend David Lord on 12 Sept 2001: Writes Major Bob Jordan, USMC Ret on 12 Sept 2001: Please say a prayer for John. He's one of our own.... A former policeman with NYPD, he longed for and got to be a NY firefighter. Just heard from him days ago that he's planning to be married next month. May God cover him with His hand and keep him from harm. God bless. Writes friend Antonio Ciliberto: Just got off the phone with someone at eng 219, he said Chip is still unaccounted, Cav (meaning Michael Cavallaro) sent a web site with the list of missing fire fighters and I am passing it on just incase he missed sending it to someone. Phone
Numbers : LIST OF SEPT 13, 2001
-- FROM WEB PAGE MENTIONED ABOVE -- Writes Gregg Smith, on Fri 21 Sept 2001 about John Chipura Writes fellow Beirut veteran Tom Rutter on 23 Sept 2001: I had the opportunity to meet John Chipura at the NGL ceremony at Arlington in Oct. 1999. We traded stories about Beirut, then communicated periodically via E-mail. He was a true American. Tom Rutter Writes fellow Beirut veteran Steve Combes on 26 Sept 2001: LCpl. Chipura
was one of the RTO's at the 24 MAU HQ in Beirut from Oct 82 to March
83. I got to know him well when I had the late night watch and when
he served as a driver on many occasions. He was one of the lucky ones
who got to drive the LA Rams cheerleaders around on their USO tour. Writes John and Mary Ellen Jackowski on 27 Sept 2001: Although we had spoken to John a few times over the phone regarding the BVA, we finally met him with Tom & Denise Rutter for the first time in Arlington at NGL services in October 1999. Since then we have maintained e-mail communications. John was always very supportive of the families and I think he knows how much he meant to us. He always sent us warm and spiritual notes. He recently sent us a riddle and I told him I got the answer right because of the nuns in grammar school! When I found out that NYS Beirut veterans were eligible for the Conspicuous Service Cross, I contacted John and got him in touch with the proper people so he was able to get his medal and commendation. We sent him Beirut stamps and a sweatshirt with the names of those killed in the terrorist bombing on October 23, 1983. He was very appreciative. John was always saying that the families were the special people. I know that his family and fiancee definitely must be -- especially at this trying time. We are here for them. Love Mary Ellen & John Jackowski |
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