Army Corporal John M. Dawson, 22, was killed in action Wednesday, April 8, while on an escort mission in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. He is survived by his parents, Michael and Rhonda (Baxendale) Dawson, and a sister, Ashley Dawson, of Whitinsville. Also several aunts and uncles; Glenn and Cathy Dawson of Charlestown, Jean and Peter Williams of Eastham, Janet and Anthony Buscemi of Hudson, Thomas Dawson, James and Cathy Dawson, all of Maynard; and many cousins.
Corporal Dawson was born in Worcester, June 21, 1992. He was a 2010 graduate of Blackstone Valley Vocational Technical High School in Upton, and he attended the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Quinsigamond Community College, before enlisting in the Army in 2012. He took Basic Training at Fort Sill, OK, and attended Combat Medic School at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX, before being assigned to Unit HHT, 1st Squadron, 33rd Calvary Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Campbell, Campbell, KY. He was deployed to Afghanistan in January.
Corporal Dawson’s military awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with V Device, the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, and numerous other awards.
While at Valley Tech, Corporal Dawson was an Honor Student in the electrical program, and worked at Coghlin Electrical Contractors in Worcester, as a Co-Op student. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Skills USA, and the varsity soccer team. He was a member of Saint Patrick’s Church in Whitinsville where he was actively involved in Young Neighbors in Action. He was an avid bicyclist, and rode with the 10th Gear Christian Bicycle Group. As a youth, he played in the Northbridge Youth Soccer League.
Corporal Dawson’s Funeral, with full military honors will be conducted Monday, April 20, with a Mass at 11 AM, in Saint Gabriel’s Church, Upton, followed by burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, Whitinsville.
Anyone wishing to attend the funeral is asked to drive directly to Saint Gabriel’s Church in Upton. All veterans groups and organization are asked to go directly to Saint Gabriel’s Church.
A funeral procession will leave Carr Funeral Home at 10 AM and proceed through Memorial Square and onto Church Street to Quaker Street to Pleasant Street in the Town of Upton to Saint Gabriel’s Church located at 151 Mendon Street Upton. After the funeral mass the procession will return on the same route onto Church Street and on Linwood Ave from Memorial Square to Pine Grove Cemetery.
Upton residents wishing to pay their respect are asked to line the procession route on Pleasant Street near Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School. The procession route will be closed in Upton from 10 AM. to 11 AM and from approximately 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.
Calling Hours will be held from 2-4 and 5-7 PM, Sunday, April 19, in the Carr Funeral Home, 24 Hill Street, Whitinsville.
Parking for calling hours will be allowed at Unibank on Cottage Street and also at the Whitinsville Community Center on Hill Street. Overflow parking with shuttle buses will be at the following locations; Northbridge Middle School, Whitinsville Christian School, Northbridge High, and the large Shop parking lot on Main Street across from the Northbridge Fire Department.
Please omit flowers. Memorial donations may be made to the USO, 2111 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1200, Arlington, VA, 22201, with the notation that the contribution is in memory of Cpl. John M. Dawson.
UPTON DAILY 