John Dannon
So very sorry to hear the news of John's passing. We last saw one another during a 1-52 Infantry reunion at Mike Streff's home several years ago. Our friendship began in 1984 when John was assigned as a mechanized rifle platoon leader (M113) in A Company 1-52 Infantry. At the time, his company commander was CPT Chip Paxton, a formative figure who served as an early mentor to John.
In 1985 John and I made the decision to escape from the Warner Barracks BOQs and become roommates, sharing a high-rise apartment on the economy just outside the back gate of Warner Barracks, home of the 3rd Brigade 1st Armored Division. The years from 1984 to 1987 were marked by our frequent ventures to Graf, Wildflecken, Hohenfels, and Hammelburg, in addition to participating in several REFORGER exercises. Along the way, we participated in many alerts and deployments out to our GDP positions overlooking the "Kemnath bowl," as we prepared for a potential Soviet incursion into West Germany. Fortunately, history unfolded favorably, for John and I and the Russians never came.
When we weren’t in field or enjoying a beer at the Moonshine bar in Bamberg, John and I would head out on weekend skiing trips to Austria in my Porsche 911. Typically, these impromptu trips were decided upon Friday mornings when the battalion’s young Lieutenants gathered for breakfast in the 1-52 Infantry dining facility. While John's skiing skills might have been somewhat limited, his enthusiasm for the sport transcended technique, often leading to exhilarating descents down dangerously steep slopes.
Those years spent in 1-52 Infantry were a time of forging lasting friendships and cultivating shared memories. John's sociable nature led him to bond closely with fellow officers like Charlie Deal, Sam Bailey, Dan Dillow, Steve Dikes, Sean Daugherty, and Mike Morrison. Reflecting back, it's evident that John S. Weaver consistently found himself at the heart of any unfolding event. His presence seemed to elevate every experience, infusing it with a heightened intensity.
Distinct memories come rushing back - John and I careening through the German countryside, his silver Mazda RX7 a streak of exuberance in my rear view mirror. It's a marvel that we both emerged unscathed from those irresponsible trips racing through the Bavarian mountains.
After our time in Bamberg, our paths intersected once more as John returned to Ft. Benning. He, along with Sam Bailey, visited my home in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, where we engaged in antics that left an indelible impression on the locals.
John's attended Ranger School in the 1988(?) time frame while I was an instructor in Florida. I recall a morning where I pulled John aside, to offer him a quick bite to eat and a few moments to relax. He carried a positive attitude through the entire course.
Later on, our lives converged once more at Ft. Leavenworth while I attended CAS3. John and his parents extended their hospitality, inviting me to their home for dinner overlooking the Missouri River. As the years flowed on, our interactions were primarily limited to John's thought-provoking posts on Facebook, showcasing his prowess as an eloquent writer.
John's passing compels us all to pause, contemplating our past youth, and the cherished moments we once shared a lifetime ago. With John's departure, a void remains, a testament to the impact he made on those who had the privilege to know him. To John’s family I offer my prayers.
Respectfully, John Dannon, LTC (R)
