January 31, 1915 (Norwalk, CT) – February 22, 1978 (Sierra Vista, AZ); 63 years old
Local address: 119 East Avenue, Norwalk
Married Lillian Arbour Dupona [born in Canada] (1917-2008) on September 10, 1938, in
Elkton, Maryland.
One daughter, Shirley Ann Dupona (1941-).
NOTE: Lillian & Shirley spelled their last name Dupona.
Enlisted on February 2, 1944. Discharged on January 16, 1946.
Enlisted again on March 12, 1946. Retired effective January 7, 1964.
Serial number 31411244
Unit: many units; artillery related
Born to Frank Sr. (1882-1951) and Agnes Lannyk Dopona (1877-1964). Frank was born in Yugoslavia and Agnes in Czechoslovakia. One brother Frank Jr. (1912-1990). Three sisters, Elizabeth (1913-1976), Margaret H. Dopona Leone (1915-1995), and Agnes (1917-2005).
Received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in March 1945. No other details are known.
From The Norwalk Hour September 28, 1946
WIFE AND DAUGHTER TO JOIN SSGT DOPONA
Mrs. Lillian M. Dopona of 119 East Avenue sails on Tuesday from New York for Germany where she will join her husband, Staff Sgt. John C. Dopona. Accompanying her will be their 5-year-old daughter, Shirley. Staff Sgt Dopona, during World War 2, served with the 376th Infantry Regiment, formerly a part of the 94th Infantry Division. He reenlisted in the Regular Army last March and asked for overseas service.
NOTE: Lillian and Shirley traveled back to the U.S. from Bremerhaven, Germany to New York City, arriving on September 5, 1947, aboard the SS Willard A. Holbrook.
From The Norwalk Hour March 31, 1951
SGT JOHN DOPONA STATIONED IN ENGLAND
United Kingdom – Sergeant First Class John C. Dopona, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dopona of 44 Springhill Road, Norwalk, is presently stationed in England with the 32nd Anti Aircraft Artillery Brigade, here to engage in joint training with the United States Air Force, Royal Air Force, and the British Army, Sgt Dopona, who wife, Lillian, and daughter, Shirley Ann, 8 ½ years old, reside at 102 Park Terrace, Harford, entered the Army in February 1944, and was assigned to the 94th Infantry Division as a rifleman and platoon sergeant. He is a veteran of the Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and the Central European Campaigns earning him the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart medal, Good Conduct Medal with one clasp, European-African-Middle Easter Campaign Ribbon with 4 bronze stars, Victory Medal, World War II, and the Occupation Ribbon. After the end of the war, Sgt Dopona remained in Germany assigned to the 60th Infantry Regiment as the regimental operations sergeant until January 1947, when he was transferred to the 26th Regiment, 1st Infantry Division as a Battalion Sergeant Major. In March 1949, he was transferred to Stuttgart Military Post as Post Sergeant Major until January 1951, when he was again transferred, this time to his present station in England.
Buried in Fort Huachuca Cemetery, 100 Burt Road, Sierra Vista, Arizona; Section 6, Site 30. Photo from findagrave.com.
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