Navy Master-at-Arms Petty Officer 1st Class (Expeditionary Warfare Specialist) John Douangdara

Died August 6, 2011 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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26, of South Sioux City, Neb.; assigned to an East Coast-based SEAL team; died Aug. 6 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter in which he was riding was shot down.

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Master-at-Arms 1st Class (EXW) John Douangara, 25, of South Sioux City, Neb., enlisted in February 2003, the Navy said.

Douangara’s initial service school training was at Norfolk, Va., before he joined the security detachment at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, in June 2003. He moved to Naval Submarine Base New London, Conn., in August 2006 before joining his East Coast-based SEAL team in January 2008.

Douangara’s decorations include the Bronze Star with ‘V’ device; Joint Service Commendation Medal with ‘V’ device; Army Commendation Medal; Presidential Unit Citation; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon; three Overseas Service Ribbons; Rifle Marksmanship Medal and the Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

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Naval Special Warfare dog handler remembered by family, friends

The Associated Press

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, Neb. — Family and friends are remembering a South Sioux City sailor who died when his helicopter was downed in Afghanistan.

Petty Officer 1st Class John Douangdara was buried Friday at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

His loved ones gathered Saturday in Sioux City, Iowa, to remember him. Cousin Eddie Vongsiprasom told KTIV-TV that Douangdara was a "jokester" and was always laughing. Others remembered him as an easy-going guy who always put his family and friends first.

Douangdara was killed Aug. 6 when a rocket-propelled grenade disabled a transport helicopter in Afghanistan. The helicopter crashed, killing 30 Americans and eight Afghans.

Douangdara was a Naval Special Warfare member who handled a dog for Navy SEAL Team Six.

The 26-year-old was a 2003 graduate of South Sioux City High School.

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Fallen soldier remembered at hockey game

The Associated Press

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — A fallen Navy Seal from Nebraska was remembered during a minor-league hockey game in Sioux City.

KITV-TV reports that a video tribute of Petty Officer 1st Class John Douangdara played at Friday night's matchup between the Sioux City Musketeers and the Tri-City Storm. Deputies in the Woodbury County sheriff's office also rappelled down a wall with a banner bearing Douangdara's photo.

Douangdara, of South Sioux City, Neb., was killed Aug. 6 when a rocket-propelled grenade disabled a transport helicopter in Afghanistan. The helicopter crashed, killing 30 Americans and eight Afghans.

The 26-year-old Douangdara was a Naval Special Warfare member who handled a dog for Navy SEAL Team Six.