Expeditionary Warfare John Douangdara

A LIFE REMEMBERED

We speak the name.

Navy Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding was shot down. Master-at-Arms 1st Class (EXW) John Douangara, 25, of South Sioux City, Neb., enlisted in February 2003, the Navy said. Douangara&rsquos initial service school training was at Norfolk, Va., before he joined the security detachment at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, in June 2003. He moved to Naval Submarine Base New London, Conn., in August 2006 before joining his East Coast-based SEAL team in January 2008. Douangara&rsquos decorations include the Bronze Star with &lsquoV&rsquo device Joint Service Commendation Medal with &lsquoV&rsquo device Army Commendation Medal Presidential Unit Citation Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal Iraq Campaign Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon three Overseas Service Ribbons Rifle Marksmanship Medal and the Pistol Marksmanship Medal. Naval Special Warfare dog handler remembered by family, friends The Associated Press SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. &mdash Family and friends are remembering a South Sioux City sailor who died when his helicopter was downed in Afghanistan. Petty Officer 1st Class John Douangdara was buried Friday at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. His loved ones gathered Saturday in Sioux City, Iowa, to remember him. Cousin Eddie Vongsiprasom told KTIV-TV (http://bit.ly/pHhl8J ) that Douangdara was a "jokester" and was always laughing. Others remembered him as an easy-going guy who always put his family and friends first. Douangdara was killed Aug. 6 when a rocket-propelled grenade disabled a transport helicopter in Afghanistan. The helicopter crashed, killing 30 Americans and eight Afghans. Douangdara was a Naval Special Warfare member who handled a dog for Navy SEAL Team Six. The 26-year-old was a 2003 graduate of South Sioux City High School.