Melrose Flags at Half-Staff Monday for MA Soldier Killed in Afghanistan

By JASON CLAFFEY (Patch Staff)

Melrose flags will be at half-staff Monday, April 20 in honor of a Massachusetts killed in Afghanistan this month.

Spc. John M. Dawson, 22, of Whitinsville, died April 8 in an attack in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense. Officials said he came under attack from small-arms fire during an escort mission.

He was assigned to 1st Squadron, 33 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Here’s his obituary:

Army Corporal John M. Dawson, 22, was killed in action Wednesday, April 8, 2015 while on an escort mission in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. He is survived by his parents, Michael and Rhonda (Baxendale) Dawson, and a sister, Ashley Dawson, of Whitinsville. Also, several aunts and uncles; Glenn and Cathy Dawson of Charlestown, Jean and Peter Williams of Eastham, Janet and Anthony Buscemi of Hudson, Thomas Dawson, James and Cathy Dawson, all of Maynard; and many cousins.

Dawson was born in Worcester, June 21, 1992. He was a 2010 graduate of Blackstone Valley Vocational Technical High School in Upton, and he attended the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Quinsigamond Community College, before enlisting in the Army in 2012. He took Basic Training at Fort Sill, OK, and attended Combat Medic School at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, before being assigned to Unit HHT, 1st Squadron, 33rd Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Campbell, Campbell, KY. He was deployed to Afghanistan in January.

Corporal Dawson’s military awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with V Device, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and numerous other awards.

While at Valley Tech, Corporal Dawson was an Honor Student in the electrical program, and worked at Coghlin Electrical Contractors in Worcester, as a Co-Op student. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Skills USA, and the varsity soccer team. He was a member of Saint Patrick’s Church in Whitinsville where he was actively involved in Young Neighbors in Action. He was an avid bicyclist, and rode with the 10th Gear Christian Bicycle Group. As a youth, he played in the Northbridge Youth Soccer League.

Corporal Dawson’s Funeral, with full military honors will be conducted Monday, April 20, with a Mass at 11 AM, in Saint Gabriel’s Church, Upton, followed by burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, Whitinsville. Calling Hours will be held from 2-4 and 5-7 PM, Sunday, April 19, in the Carr Funeral Home, 24 Hill Street, Whitinsville.

Please omit flowers. Memorial donations may be made to the USO, 2111 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1200, Arlington, VA, 22201, with the notation that the contribution is in memory of Cpl. John M. Dawson.

Condolences may be offered at: www.carrfuneralhome.com.

Photo credit: U.S. Army