THE WALL OF FACES

I had the pleasure of going to Alleman High School in Rock Island and working with his Father at Bituminous Insurance Company. The fondest memory I have of John that has lingered for over 53 years was his singing of the Sloop John B as part of his presentation for class president. God bless you for the sacrifice you made for me, your fellow classmates and our country.

Dear LTJG John Gotz,
Thank you for your service as an Unrestricted Line Officer (Pilot) from the U.S.S. SHANGRI-LA. You are still MIA. PLEASE COME HOME. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. It has been too long, and it's about time for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Be at peace.

LTJG John Bryan Golz. Im glad I finally looked your name up and a chance to learn a bit about you. I have the honor of wearing your MIA bracelet. As a fellow Navy man I would like to say, You will never be forgotten, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

I was the cook attached to Attack Squadron VA 172. LTJG Golz was a great officer, liked by everybody because he treated everybody with respect. About 2 weeks before his plane crash we met on the mess decks as he was talking with some of the enlisted men in the squadron. Jokingly I mentioned I wish I could fly in one of the A-4 aircraft and take pictures of the bombing runs. He said "go get your camera I'll take pictures for you tomorrow when I go up" ... And he did. I still have those pictures. When I show those pictures to friends and family I tell the story of LTJG Golz. He will always be part of my Vietnam memories. He was a very nice person and a very well respected and well liked officer.
I retired from the Navy after 28 years. LTJG was one of the finest officers I had the privilege to know.

I was a flight deck crew member of VA 172. I assisted him in a pre flight inspection of his A4 Skyhawk that morning. He said to me "I have a bad feeling" about flying today, Once the engine was lit he pulled forward and launched off of the port catapult without with out any problem. We were notified about 30 minutes later that Mr Golz crashed in Laos. No chute was seen, the plane was disinegrated. Mr Golz was very well liked, polite, quiet friendly, a true warrior. This happened over 44 years ago, I will never forget this, it seems like yesterday.