The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Education Center and Vietnam Era Museum is closed for renovation. Please revisit this website for updates on our reopening date. Our outdoor Memorial and monuments will remain open seven days a week

Faces Bio

JOHN J LAVELLE

JOHN J LAVELLE - SP4

  • HOMETOWN:
  • bayonne
  • COUNTY:
  • Hudson
  • DATE OF BIRTH:
  • September 30, 1950
  • DATE OF CASUALTY:
  • July 29, 1970
  • BRANCH OF SERVICE:
  • Army
  • RANK:
  • SP4
  • STATUS:
  • KIA
  • COUNTRY:
  • South Vietnam

Biography


John J. Lavellewas born on September 30, 1950, to Henry and Amy Lavelle.  His home of record is Bayonne, NJ.  John had two brothers, Henry and Joseph, and a sister, Teresa.  He attended Star of the Sea Grammar School and Bayonne High School.

Lavelle enlisted in the US Army when he was 17 years old.  Over his career, he attained the rank of Specialist 4 (SP4).

He trained as a parachute rigger at the Army Quartermaster School in Fort Lee, VA, and later completed a three-week course at Fort Benning, GA, which qualified him as a parachutist.  Lavelle was stationed in Germany prior to being sent to Southeast Asia.

On July 29, 1970, at the age of 19, Lavelle was killed in action in Vietnam. 

Sources: Newspaper clippings and NJVVMF.

Remembrances

Be the first to add a remembrance for JOHN J LAVELLE

Help preserve the legacy of this hero, learn about The Education Center.

LEARN MORE
Scroll to Top