Army Vietnam War Flight date: 08/26/26
By Mallory Pistek, Honor Flight Chicago Veteran Interview Volunteer
John Bryla was born in February 1947 and grew up in Elmwood Park, Illinois. His mother was a housewife and his father was both a truck driver and a TV repair service man. He also taught night classes. John was the oldest of four, he has two younger sisters and a younger brother. Johns’ father was a veteran of WWII where he fought in the Philippines.
John remembers his father’s service being a big deal to him when he was younger. He talked fondly about a Christmas where he received an army playkit from Santa. He also spoke of a Christmas when he woke up early, found a 50-caliber machine gun toy waiting for him, picked it up, and accidentally set it off… all while his family was still sleeping.
John attended Elmwood High School. He remembers being an average student while in High School. While there, he did play baseball, both 2nd base and outfield.
After High School, John was accepted to Triton College which was brand new at the time. He was part of the first class. While there, John studied electronics & technology. Because the school was so new and had such small enrollment, his studies were pushed back a semester and he was required to take one more class. This caused his deferment to be lost and he was subsequently drafted into the Army.
Basic training took place at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. John stated that he remembers one time walking, being caught by a higher ranking officer and having to do a low crawl through the sand pit. However, John was chosen as a Squad Leader and although short in stature (his words) he received a 450 out of 500 on the Army Fitness Test. John studied cryptography and was 1st in his class, but stated that he never used those skills once he was sent to Vietnam. He also remembers one time, after being taught how to climb a telephone pole, having to test his skills by climbing to the top, climbing around, and then back. However, while up, he missed one of his spikes, and fell to about three feet above the ground. John remembers stating, ‘well, I guess I’m done’ and his squad leader telling him he wasn’t, stating that he would be sent to the infantry unit if he didn’t get up there and finish the job.
John arrived in Vietnam just after the TET Offensive of 1968 to the 2/39th 9th Division. His primary base camp was Dong Tam in the Mekong Delta. He traveled from base camp to base camp serving in various capacities in the MOS of 36K20 as a field wireman. John transferred to the 2/60th 9th Division during the summer of 1969 to serve out time in Vietnam. While serving in the 2/60th, his duties were to repair communication structures and communication lines. He was never sent anywhere else during his service but remembers that during his 14 months just thinking about getting out and going home. His unit was going to be transferred back to Hawaii but John ended up getting out of his enlistment early.
Once home, John attended SIU thanks to his GI Bill where he studied Communications. After graduation, he interned at ABC Channel 7 for a summer and then took a job at Lake Park Tech Center as a teacher. Once computers came out, John got into the repair service and stayed there until he retired.
Nowadays Carl fills his time with his family and veteran related service. Carl and his wife met thanks to one of his sisters. He remembers asking her out on a date and she telling him ‘that she had to babysit that day’. They have been married 52 years now and have two children and four grandchildren. John volunteers at the Bloomington VFW where they support food and clothing drives and he manages the website. He is also a part of the Honor Guard and attends military burials. Lastly, John and his wife like to travel, coming back from a trip to Rome, Italy where he got to see Pope Leo this past year.
John is very excited about his Honor Flight trip. He feels this trip will be a way to respect an ending that he believes is coming a little late.
John left the military as an SPC/4. John received the Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon W/Device, Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver “W” Bar and Expert Badge with Rifle Bar.
Thank you for your service John. Enjoy your Honor Flight!