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JOHN CHAPLA Obituary
JOHN DAVID CHAPLA
Like the good soldier he was, John fought valiantly and bravely against an enemy which prevailed on January 5, 2014 after a six year campaign. He loved his God, his country, his family, friends and colleagues and was proud to be an alumnus of The Virginia Military Institute. He served in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Brigade and as an infantry officer and public affairs officer during his 22 years of service in the United States Army. After his retirement from the Army, John spent 24 years as a dedicated and respected Professional Staff Member of the United States House of Representatives Armed Services Committee. John was also a passionate historian of the Civil War and authored numerous books and other publications.Honoring his life and cherishing his memory are his wife Leah, daughters Maren Hoecker and Marie Hill, sons-in-law Charles Hoecker and John Hill, grandchildren John (Jack), Claire and Lauren Hoecker, sisters Linda Chapla and Valerie Romer, nephew Brian Romer, niece Colleen Wintermute and numerous cousins and extended family.A visitation will be held 3 to 5 p.m., January 11, 2014 at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Services and interment with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Fisher House Foundation.
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Memories and Condolences
for JOHN CHAPLA
Sponsored by Selective Service PIA.
James Zderic
April 30, 2023
Lt. Chapla was my platoon leader in Vietnam. That he was well-loved by the soldiers in the platoon is an understatement. A dedicated soldier who cared deeply about those under his charge. The man could read a map, too!
Ed DePolo
December 31, 2014
LTC Chapla was my company commander in Berlin, Germany. For me, he will always be CPT Chapla. He was a good soldier, a fair man, and a great commander. God's speed sir. I'll see you in formation in those barracks in the sky.
Carlos Lopez
September 17, 2014
My deepest condolences to the Chapla family on your lost. I am so sorry that I found his book so late after trying for years to find anyone that served with my brother in Nam. My brother was Sgt. Rafael Colon-Santos who was killed by a booby-trap on April 17, 1970. 1st Lt. Chapla was well liked and admired by my brother and I'm sorry he didn't get to meet my family so he could tell us how much he admired my brother. However, I feel I owe you (Mr. Chapla's family) how much my brother trusted and admired his platoon leader. I would really love to meet his widow or a family member just to thank them for all the good words that Mr. Chapla honored my brother with. If anyone else served with my brother during his stint in Nam from 1969-1970, A CO., 3rd Bn.,503rd Infantry,173rd Abn Bde. Again my heart felt condolences to the Chapla family from Sgt. Colon-Santos brother Carlos Santos Lopez and my family.
Thomas Vuono
September 7, 2014
Though I didn't know John personally I just finished his book " The men of Alpha Co. " I decided to write him to offer my congratulations on a well written history of the 173 Airborne Brigade (Separate)I also served with the Herd as an enlisted man, and strangely enough our tours of duty were the same date. while I served as a Asst. Mach. gunner in the same areas of operations we never met. After reading his book He sounded like a fine officer to have served under.
Just now finding out of His passing has truly saddened me. My heart felt condolences to His family and boonie rat brothers.
A. H. Hurd III
February 5, 2014
Mr. Chapla's contributions to the Virginia regimental histories are among the best volumes that were published in that series. Although I never met John personally, we had numerous exchanges via phone and email. He was always gracious and constantly willing to share every minute detail. A consummate researcher that will be greatly missed.
Mark Thompson
January 17, 2014
I came to know John as an Army PAO and then as a staffer on the HASC. He was always eager to teach reporters about the military...even if they weren't always willing to listen. He was truly one of the good ones. My condolences to his family. Godspeed, John.
Jim Schweiter
January 17, 2014
I worked with John on the staff of the House Armed Services Committee for many years. He was a great guy, and I will always have the highest personal and professional regard for him. A great American who will be deeply missed by me and many others.
Ps. 34:17, 18 ~ Kim
January 16, 2014
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Will Robertson
January 10, 2014
John was always a head above the crowd in the VMI Class of '68. You just knew that if you could see John, you'd be just fine.
January 10, 2014
John was my brother rat at VMI and was the consummate professional throughout his life. My prayers go out to his family.
Sincerely, Jim Henry
January 9, 2014
John was my VMI Brother Rat and Rat Football teammate, affectionately known to many of us as "Chip Chap." Forever true to himself, he indeed fought the good fight, and he will be remembered by the Class of 1968. Roddy Delk
Tom Kaulukukui (Sgt K)
January 9, 2014
Our sad but sincere condolences to Leah, his daughters, and family, from us, the warriors who served with him in Vietnam. John was an Airborne Ranger, a platoon leader and XO in A Co., 3/503d Inf., 173d Airborne Brigade. He was admired and respected for his leadership,. After the war, he reunited with us and he and Leah attended our reunions. We will be there at Arlington when he is laid to rest, a hero in the company of heroes. I expect that the grass will grow greener over his grave, for the sacred soil of that hallowed ground will be enriched by his presence. Airborne All the Way, Sir!
Sgt K.
Piper Moyer-Shad
January 9, 2014
Dear Chapla Family,
We have been thinking of you all off and on for the past several years. I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. He fought a valiant fight. Our love to you all and wishes for brighter days.
Most sincerely,
Piper and the Shad family
Jim Polley
January 9, 2014
Brother Rat, fellow infantry officer- rest in peace
January 8, 2014
Dear Lee,
Bill and I were so saddened to learn of John's passing. We offer our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. John was truly one of "the good guys." We both had the pleasure of working with him and no one was more professional and devoted. I know his devotion to you and your family was the best. You are in our thoughts and our prayers.
With deepest sympathy, Mary Lou and Bill Smullen
(Williamsburg, VA and Syracuse, NY)
Tim Austin
January 8, 2014
Lee, I am so sorry for our loss. I wish you and the family condolences. My prayers are with all of you. So sorry will not be able to attend the services. Tim Austin
Joseph Siragusa
January 7, 2014
Firstly, my condolences to Lee and family. To be quite frank, I only met my cousin John twice; at cousin Mary Mikulski's wedding, and Uncle Dan and Aunt Barb's 40th anniversary party. With that in mind, Aunt Pat Chapla sent my wife and I a link from the Armed Forces Subcommitee website honoring John, and after having read the comments, I was truly moved. Regardless of political persuasion, the commentary and messages were profoundly positive and I came away with a sense a great pride to have a blood relation to him. It was obvious that John was a person with a great and important sense of humility and devotion, never surrendering to the "popular" decisions, but always steering towards the "right" ones, especially when the lives of our men and women in uniform were at risk. It is all too common today to hear otherwise about many people, especially in that enviroment. Despite the fact my memories of him in person will be few, I will always remember what I read about him, and can only strive to achieve a fraction of what he did, or be remembered in nearly the same light.
With Sincerest Condolences,
Joseph Siragusa and Family
Son of Marianne Chapla
Families Veterans
January 7, 2014
Our sincerest condolences
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