John Willis Banks Jr.

I knew the Col when I worked on Kwajalein, he was a good man and Commanding Officer.

We were shocked and grief-stricken when we arrived at the RPI reunion expecting to see John after 51 years of missing him. He was a great friend, fraternity brother, and roommate during our college days. Both Nancy and I were so looking forward to the event. Though we never met you, we send sympathetic condolences to Ashley and Caroline because we know John was a great father to you both.
Wayne and Nancy Smith

I met John thru the 709th/99th reunion group. I was able to get John and Sherrill Chaffin, the 1st and 3rd commanders of HQ&A Company, together for a dinner in Huntsville a few years ago. The 2 of them had never met--we talked and looked at pictures from Vietnam for 4 hours--it was a real treat and the 1st time I saw Chaffin since the day I left Vietnam in 1968.
John was so much fun to talk to at the reunions, and I was also able to meet Koney at one reunion too---I can tell you for...

My most heartfelt condolences. Though John preceeded me by a year in Hq & A Co., 709th Maint Bn. his influence permeated the company. Thus I knew him well then, though we never met until he contacted and "persuaded" me to travel with him from Huntsville to the 709th's reunion in Maryland in 2011, my first time to attend. We repeated the trek in 2012. He was missed immmensely in 2013. It is my loss that I did not meet him sooner. What a great person!!!

I will miss John because he and Konny were true friends. My wife Mary Van was very close to Konny. John was trying to help me get over the loss of my wife in June.

Ashley,
On every occasion when I was privileged to talk with him briefly, your father granted me his big smile, cheerful countenance and gentlemanly greeting.

Caroline and Ashley, I worked for your father at SMDC in Huntsville and again when he was Commander, Kwajalein Missile Range. John and I both are stunned, sad and so sorry for your loss. He was a kind, considerate man who was indeed "an officer and a gentleman". Even after his retirement and our years in the Kwaj Group together, he was always "Col Banks" to me. We will miss him. Our Love & Prayers, John and Marilyn Fratangelo

We are so sorry for the loss of John. He was always so kind and generous with his time. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Cousin Gloria, Wayne, Gail, Michael Dee Dee and all of the Pianta extended family in Texas.

Only had the privilege of knowing John and Konny through our Vietnam reunions. They were two wonderful people. Sad and sorry they are both no longer with us. Perhaps they were just not meant to be apart for very long.