"John Daugherty recognized this Veterans' Day - Nearly six decades have passed since John Daugherty was awarded the Silver Star. Born in Wessington in 1930, Daugherty was the third and last child of Fred and Ona (Huddleston) Daugherty. Most that remember Daugherty would probably describe him as being a bit reclusive, someone that marched to his own drummer. No one recalls him being in school beyond his sopomore year. Daugherty's father was about 59 when Daugherty was born and his mother died when he was six; circumstances that suggest that there was a lack of structure in Daugherty's rearing and that perhaps had some bearing on his comportment.
Daugherty was drafted into the Army in June of '51; his MOS was Light Weapons Infantry. He began his service in Korea in March of 52; he was wounded in action August 15 and was returned to duty Sept. 3. He was wounded in action a second time on Nov. 26.
For his actions on that occasion, he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry. Paraphrased for brevity and clarity the award says, Company 'I' of the 15th Infantry Regiment, of which PFC Daugherty was a member was assigned the mission of defending friendly positions on Hill '270', in the vacinity of Hak-Tong Ni, Korea.
In the early morning hours of Nov. 26, 1952, their position was subjected to a barrage of enemy mortar and artillery fire. PFC Daugherty observed that the scattered ammunition dumps located on the outpost were catching fire and beginning to explode.
Realizing the danger of a large supply of mortar ammunition exploding, he left the comparable safety of his own bunker in an attempt to control the flames.
Although seriously wounded as he crossed the shelled terrain, PFC Daugherty reached his objective and managed to control the rapidly spreading flames.
He refused medical treatment and evacuation until he was assured the fire was completely out. PFC Daugherty's outstanding gallantry, initiative, and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service.
Daugherty stayed in the Army, so to speak, but it seems that he was indecisive. After each occasion of fulfilling his enlistment, he would sample civilian life for a few months before re-enlisting.
After his first re-enlistment, when I asked why he had done so, he replied, 'there was not much call for machine gunners on the outside.; There is a saying, 'If you don't know where you are going, the road will get you there.' That perhaps describes the seeming lack of direction in Daugherty's life.
His records show he left Ft. Riley, Kan., for a new duty station in October of '62, a New York APO address, most likely Germany. He was there for only 45 days before returning to CONUS. He was immediately hospitalized at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital, Denver, Colo., on Nov. 20, he passed away on Nov. 24, at the age of 32. His records do not list a cause of death but the fore mentioned suggests that it was due to a fast acting disease, as he apparently did not long survive after the diagnosis.
Daugherty is interred at the Post Cemetery, Ft. Riley, Kan. His tombstone has somewhat of a anomaly, in addition to the customary information; it has the inscription 'South Dakota'. One wonders how that may have come to be, perhaps Daugherty was aware that his death was eminent and it was done at his request. Indentifying his place of origin is a nice touch, and it seems especially fitting in Daugherty's case.
Daugherty's demeanor was such that if bullets were flying, he was the guy you would want to be sharing a foxhole with. Someone once said, 'It's often the hell raisers and the renegades who make the best fighting men.'
My perception of Daugherty was that he fit that profile and I think that he would be pleased to be remembered in that manner. A forty-nine-year belated, Godspeed to you, John.
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