John William Bann

John William Bann was born on April 30, 1947, at United Hospital in Port Chester, New York, to Joan Beaver and John J. Bann. He had an older brother, James.

The Bann family lived in Rye at several locations, including Boston Post Road, Cornell Place, and finally the Rye Colony apartments. The family were members of the Church of the Resurrection. John’s mother worked at various times for Rye National Bank, Blanchard-Pray automobiles, and Griffin Ford in New Rochelle.

John attended Resurrection School through the eighth grade and graduated from Rye High School with the Class of 1967. He briefly attended Huron College in South Dakota before beginning his military service.

Military Service

John Bann enlisted in the United States Air Force on March 26, 1969. He completed basic training and technical school in Texas and served as a communications specialist.

His first duty station was Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire. In 1971, he was transferred to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, where he was assigned to the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Command Post.

Hickam was a major U.S. Air Force installation in the Pacific and an important hub for the movement of aircraft, personnel and supplies during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. PACAF, headquartered at Hickam since 1957, was responsible for U.S. Air Force operations throughout the Pacific and played a major role during the Vietnam War.

John attained the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged on March 23, 1973, completing four years of Air Force service.

Life After Service

Following his Air Force service, John returned to civilian life. He married Kathleen Winter on July 3, 1983, and the couple had a son, Noah, in 1994.

John especially enjoyed spending time with his son, including fishing and attending Noah’s little league games. He was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins, loved the outdoors, and enjoyed visiting national parks.

John William Bann died on October 16, 2021, at the age of 74. His obituary describes a man remembered by family and friends for his love of family, the outdoors, and the simple pleasures of life.

In accordance with John’s wishes, there was to be a simple cremation without visitation.

Epitaph

John Bann’s story is that of a Rye High School graduate who left his hometown in the late 1960s to serve his country in the United States Air Force. As a communications specialist, he served at Pease Air Force Base and later at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii with the Pacific Air Forces Command Post. He returned to civilian life after his honorable discharge and built his family and life around the people and interests he loved.

Military Service: United States Air Force
Branch: U.S. Air Force
Specialty: Communications Specialist
Highest Rank: Sergeant
Enlisted: March 26, 1969
Discharged: March 23, 1973
Service: 1969–1973
Vietnam Era: Yes — served during the Vietnam War period, including assignment to Hawaii and PACAF.