THE WALL OF FACES

Rest in peace with the warriors. (Photo Credit: Margaret Fera)

Jackie had visited our home with his parents.My Mother,Agnes(Visconti)Solimine loved him dearly. My Mom and Jackie's grandmother were first cousins, so Jackie is my second cousin once removed. We honor his memory with much love and respect.
David J.Solimine,Sr. Lynn ,Massachusetts, August 2009 sponsor,The Wall That Heals.

1st Lt. John Anthony Fera, also known as "Jack", of Providence RI was just 23 when he lost his life fighting for his country in Vietnam. His tour of Vietnam was supposed to end in just two months when he was killed on March 18, 1968. Son of Jacqueline and Milo Fera, "Jack" Attended St. Augustine's School, and then graduated from West Point, the school he loved so much, in 1966. He was married to Margaret. Hello my name is Robert Mulligan, and I am a Senior at BHHS (Hendricken) and I am looking for more information on this fallen hero for my project in my Vietnam course at school, and I would greatly appreciate it if anyone who knew John A. Fera could get in touch with me to let me know more. Thank you.

My name is Kyle Palumbo and I am currently taking a “Vietnam” class at my high school where I was assigned to research First Lieutenant John Anthony Fera. Although many soldiers devoted months and years of effort to fighting in Vietnam, First Lieutenant John Anthony Fera gave the ultimate sacrifice. Mr. Fera was born on November 16, 1944 in Danvers, Massachusetts and was raised as a Roman Catholic by his parents, Milo and Jacqueline Fera. Mr. Fera grew up in Providence and attended St. Augustine’s Grammar School, and then went onto graduate from West Point, one of the finest military institutions in the country, in 1966. Before going to Vietnam, Mr. Fera proposed to and married Margaret (maiden name unknown). His first tour on duty began on June 7, 1967 where he was stationed in Kontum, South Vietnam. While stationed in Kontum, he volunteered his time to advise the “high school army brats” through an explorer unit. Mr. Fera had less than two more months to serve in Vietnam before returning home to his wife “Margie” whom he loved so much. Unfortunately, First Lieutenant Fera was killed in action on March 18, 1968 dying at the youthful age of twenty-three. He was identified as a “ground casualty” with “multiple fragmentation wounds”. A Mr. Richard Mencl (LTC) was given the honor to be the escort officer for Lt. John Anthony Fera’s remains, where he escort Lt. Fera on his final journey home from Dover AFB back to Danvers to his grieving wife. Lt. Fera was laid to rest on a sunny Spring day at his school that he loved so much, West Point Academy. Years later, “Margie” remarried.. May First Lieutenant John Anthony Fera’s sacrifice never be forgotten.
If you know any more further information on John Fera’s personal or militant life please contact me via email.

Although many of us devoted months and years to the war effort and returned home, John gave the ultimate sacrifice. I was honored to escort John's remains on the final journey home from Dover AFB to Danvers and his grieving wife, parents, and family. We laid John to rest on a sunny Spring day at West Point, the school he loved so much. May his sacrifice never be forgotten.