First Sergeant John S. Lacny, Jr., United States Army

John Lacny was born in Hindsdale, Illinois on July 2, 1967 and passed away on February 17, 2011 at the age of 43, in San Angelo, Texas.

John proudly served his country in the United States Army for over twenty years. At the time of his death he was the First Sergeant for Alpha Company, 344th Military Intelligence Battalion at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas.

His long and varied army career included tours of duty in Iraq, Hawaii, Arizona, Washington, D.C. and England. He was a Russian linguist and had studied at the Defense Language Institute at Monterey, California, and at Leningrad University.

His numerous military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, multiple awards of the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.

A prayer service was held on February 27 at the Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home in Justice, Illinois for his family and friends in Illinois.

Texas services were held on March 2 at the Sheppard Funeral Home in Copperas Cove, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the arriving family, friends and John’s fellow soldiers.

The Riders then led the funeral procession to the Smith Cemetery at Kempner, Texas where they formed a line of American flags along the side of the burial site.

John’s flag draped casket was removed from the hearse and carried to the burial site by eight white-gloved Army soldiers. A Chaplain of the United States Army Chaplain Corps led the gathered family and friends in final prayers.

The United States Army Guard rendered full military honors. The detail of seven rifles fired three volleys of fire representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The American flag that draped the silver casket was folded into a tight triangle by the Honor Guard. Three rifle cartridges were tucked into the fold of the flag, signifying Duty, Honor and Country. The flag was ceremoniously passed to Lt. Col. John J. Bonin, the Battalion Commander, who presented it to John’s parents on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, as thanks for his many years of faithful service.

First Sergeant John S. Lacny, Jr. was then laid to rest next to his dearly beloved wife, Sharon, who passed away on November 26, 2008, at the age of 38. They had married On July 30, 1993 in Honolulu. Sharon was an Army veteran and was a Korean interpreter.

Left to cherish John’s memory are his parents, John and Delores Lacny, six siblings, numerous nieces and nephews and his many fellow soldiers of the United States Army.







With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald, the Temple Daily Telegram and the Chicago Sun-Times for biographical information.