John Chaput Is April Veteran Of The Month

By Douge KapkeJohn A. Chaput was recognized as Jefferson County’s Veteran of the Month for April by County Commissioners the morning of Tuesday, April 1, 2025. In addition, he was presented with a Quilt of Valor and a patriotic artwork created by created by Rory Roesener. Chaput was born in July, 1950, in Portland, Oregon. His father was an engineer and his nurse mother was a “stay at home mom.” Chaput attended grade school and high school in Seattle, Washington.In high school, Chaput liked shop-oriented classes and was a member of the “Sea Cadet Program,” sponsored by the Navy. This program prepared high school students with the opportunity to enlist in the Navy as an E-3 without attending Basic Training. Upon graduation from high school in the spring of 1969, Chaput enlisted in the Naval Reserve at the age of 18.Between graduation and October, 1969, Chaput was promoted to E-4. His first assignment was Treasure Island near San Francisco, California, where he received orders for Vietnam. He attended Survival Training at the Naval Amphibious Base at Coronado, California, prior to his arrival at Navy Binh Thuy Air Base, South Vietnam, in the IV Corp Region.E-4 Chaput, as a “Machinery Repairman,” spent 12 months supporting the squadrons that worked on helicopters and OV-10 aircraft. These gunships were used to support Riverine Forces. It is important to note that during Chaput’s first 12 month tour of duty, he was hospitalized for an extended period of time with an unknown illness. In retrospect, these were the first signs that he had come in contact with Agent Orange. Chaput then volunteered for an additional six months, knowing that when he returned to the United States his active duty would be complete. While in South Vietnam Chaput was afforded three Rest and Recuperation (R&R) Leaves, all to Australia. While on active duty in Vietnam, E-5 Chaput received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and a Naval Unit Commendation. After active duty, Chaput attended a trade school in Yakima, Washington, to prepare for a 30-plus year career working in government service. His first two years of government service were at the Sandpoint Naval Station in Seattle, followed by a 19 month temporary duty station in Adak, Alaska.In January, 1981, Chaput married his wife, Janet, in Sunnyside, Washington.One other government assignment location included Everett, Washington. Chaput also found time to spend an additional 12 years as a medic in the Army National Guard. Staff Sergeant E-6 Chaput and Janet eventually found their way to Fairbury, where their son, Scott, is a Deputy Sheriff for Jefferson County.Chaput is a life member of the VFW and past Chaplin for Post 5562 in Alaska. He has plans to join the Fairbury VFW Post 3113. In past years, Chaput has been an active ham radio operator and an active Red Cross Disaster Relief Volunteer. Currently Chaput is at Good Samaritan in Beatrice, rehabilitating from exposure to Agent Orange from his military service with support of his wife of 44 years and his family.

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