Jay Thomas Dandurand was born in Kankakee, IL, on November 11, 1948, where he attended grade school and West Junior High before the family moved to Kinnelon, NJ. His home of record is Riverdale, NJ. He was a 1966 graduate of Kinnelon High School and went on to complete one year of college at Newark State College. He enjoyed motorcycling and played the saxophone.
He entered the US Army in July 1969. He completed basic training at Fort Polk, LA, and went on to primary flight school at Fort Walters, TX, graduating as part of Class 6935. He went to secondary Flight School at Fort Rucker, AL, and completed his pilot training in November 1969. He was sent to Vietnam in December. He attained the rank of Warrant Officer (WO).
Dandurand was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and the Air Medal with 2nd through 8th Award. He was also awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Aviator Badge and the Expert Badge with Rifle Bar.
His Bronze Star citation reads:
For distinguishing himself by outstanding meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam during the period
December 1969 to March 1970. Through his untiring efforts and professional ability, he consistently obtained outstanding results. He was quick to grasp the implications of new problems with which he was faced as a result of the ever-changing situations inherent in a counterinsurgency operation and to find ways and means to solve those problems. The energetic application of his extensive knowledge has materially contributed to the efforts of the United States mission to the Republic of Vietnam to assist that country in ridding itself of the communist threat to its freedom. His initiative, zeal, sound judgment and devotion to duty have been in the highest tradition of the United States Army and reflects great credit on himself, his unit and his military service.
Letter from Dandurand’s Commanding Officer to his parents, April 15, 1970:
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Dandurand,
As your son’s Commanding Officer at the time of his death, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy for your loss and express sincere regrets on behalf of the officers and men who knew him.
I feel you should know the circumstances surrounding Jay’s death, and I shall try to explain them as best as we know them. On the afternoon of 12 March 1970, Jay was flying a troop lift mission approximately 52 miles southeast of Saigon, Republic of Vietnam. His UH-1D helicopter experienced an operational malfunction and crashed into a heavily wooded area, instantly killing all aboard. Because of the terrain and the condition of the wreckage, the exact cause of the accident has not been determined. You can be assured that a complete and thorough investigation of the accident is being made.
In the short time that Jay was assigned to our company, he had gained the admiration and respect of all who knew and worked with him. He was truly a professional, who did his job well, you have every right to be proud of him. I hope you can find some solace in the knowledge that your grief is shared by every member of this company.
Our Battalion Chaplain conducted a memorial service on the 16th of March 1970, for Jay and the officers and men of the company joined me in rendering military honors and final tribute to him.
Once again, personally and from the men of the 128th Aviation Company, please accept this letter as a token of our sympathy. As I wrote his wife, Sandra, if I can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to write me.
Sources: Sandy Struble (widow), Jim Cangro (friend) and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
