13 September 1966 – 1lt John Peter Skoro’s F-100 was hit during a strike on an automatic weapon position near Phu Xuan, 20 miles north of Phu Cat.After reporting to the area FAC, the F-100 aircraft he was piloting began an air to ground strike. John’s aircraft was hit by ground fire as it pulled up to 4,000 feet and the John may have been hit as he apparently made no attempt to eject. At the time, John was serving with the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron/366th Tactical Fighter Winf of the 7th Air Force out of Phan Rang AB, Vietnam.
Lt Skoro’s awards include 1 NDSM, 1 Vietnam Campaign Medal, 1 Vietnam Service Medal and posthumously 1 DFC, 1 PH, a number of AM, and 1 Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. His name is on the USAFA War Memorial
John “Junior” Skoro, was born on February 3, 1942 in Gary, IN. He attended Lew Wallace High School and then attained at BS at the USAFA. As a cadet he made the Dean’s list several times. John was selected to be on the NCAA All American fencing team, and won the 1963 NCAA Outstanding Fencer Award. He was also the winner of the AF Academy’s Most Valuable Fencer Award in 1967.
He was a family favorite and often gave his cousins rides in his Corvette.
His remains were subsequently recovered on 17 September by personnel of the 1st Cavalry Division. He was survived by his wife, Betty.