John Andrew Synowsky

  John Andrew Synowsky, of Dennis, Texas, after a prolonged battle with cancer, passed on October 12, 2026, surrounded by his two sons and loving wife of more than 50 years.

  John was born in Long Island, New York on June 26, 1947, to Maj. John Synowsky (USA Ret.) and Anne Hallahan Synowsky. His father’s military service in the U.S. Army, gave the family opportunities to see the world: living at Ladd Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska; Fort Lewis near Tacoma, Washington; Camp Schimmelpfennig in Sendai, Japan; Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas; Camp Gordon near Augusta, Georgia; and the Presidio in San Francisco, California. After his father’s distinguished and honorable service to the United States ended, the family settled where their original roots had grown in Butler, Pennsylvania. During these travels, the family grew and John gained a younger brother, William (Bill), and younger sister, Joanne.

  John was active in the Boy Scouts of America as a youth and proudly earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He excelled and lettered in swimming and debate. He was one of the first 300 water skiers to be recognized as a Bare Foot Water Skier by the U.S. Water Ski Assoc.

  Following in his father’s footsteps, John enlisted in the United States Army. He was designated as the guidon bearer during Basic Combat Training. He graduated from the Field Artillery Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. After OCS, he graduated from the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter School at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas. It was here, and at this time, that he decided he would eventually call Texas his home. At Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, aptly nicknamed Cobra Hall, he trained to pilot the AH-1G Huey Cobra, the world’s first purpose-built attack helicopter.

  John completed two tours of duty during the Vietnam War from 1969-1970. He served with the 3rd Platoon (Dragons) 334th Attack Helicopter Company 145th Combat Aviation Battalion based in Bien Hoa. As a Cobra Fire Team Leader his steady control, wisdom, and skill in fierce combat with the enemy were well known. Pilots in other units sought his guidance in strategy and tactics as well as the opportunity to learn by flying with him or flying his wing. His high degree of competence saved many American and allied lives, and his men would have followed him anywhere. He also served as Group S-2 with the 165th Combat Aviation Group and completed his tour with the Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV).

  He was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in combat, the Soldier’s Medal for heroism saving lives, the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in combat, the Cross of Gallantry awarded by South Vietnam, the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat, forty-two Air Medals distinguishing over 1,050 hours of combat flight, three Bronze Star Medals, and two Civilian Action Honorable Mentions for service to the civilian population of Vietnam among many other awards and recognitions. He was inducted into the Butler County Military Veterans Hall of Fame, alongside his father, and the Artillery OCS Hall of Fame. His proudest accomplishment is that of never losing a man that flew with him, to include the rescuing of two.

  After honorably discharging from the U.S. Army as a Captain, he moved to Fort Worth, Texas. John began a career as a Certified Financial Planner and found the love of his life, Ann Kathryn Morris Synowsky. They were married on November 29, 1975. John and Ann bought a little piece of heaven along the banks of the Brazos River in 1982, in Dennis, Texas, and gave the best childhood they could to their two sons, John and James.

  John loved to spend time engaged in activity and surrounded by his family in the great outdoors. Weekends and summers were filled with time on the water either fishing, SCUBA diving, skiing, or sailing; hunting gatherings at the ranch; get aways to the mountains for skiing; and trips to the Boy Scouts of America’s high adventure bases at Philmont Scout Ranch, New Mexico; Northern Tier National High Adventure Base in Ely, Minnesota; and the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base in Islamorada, Florida. More than any of those, he could be found most often building and growing the ranch, working cattle, clearing brush and planting new fence posts, driving a tractor in a hayfield, breeding thoroughbred racehorses, or next to a campfire accompanied by family, friends, and a cigar. In the last eleven years of his life, he could often be found with his three, fully enamored, granddaughters bouncing on his knee, checking on things around the ranch, or selecting the best tackle for the next fishing adventure.

  John was a masterful storyteller, a quick wit, and always ready with a bit of humor. He could listen like few others, provide counsel that penetrated the heart of the matter, and uplift and motivate the most stubborn.

  To many, he was the dashing, daring, debonaire, devil may care, death defying, death dealing, Dragon 34: the fire from the sky that saved countless American and allied lives. To others, he was a trusted advocate, mentor, and role model. To yet more, he was a true friend: honest, loyal, and dependable. To his family, John was all of the above and so very much more. He will be remembered as a husband, father, grandfather, big brother, uncle, friend, gunship pilot, and larger-than-life presence to those that loved him. His life was a gift to those that he touched.

  Survivors: His loving wife, Ann; his son, John Franklin Synowsky, and wife, Lauren; granddaughters, Kathryn Parker and Lena Mae; his son, James Andrew Synowsky, DVM, and wife, Kendra; granddaughter, Madeline Alexandra; his brother, William Andrew Synowsky; and his sister, Joanne Synowsky Walter.

  Interment services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia where he will be in the company of his parents and our nation’s finest.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

The National Vietnam War Museum, 12685 Mineral Wells Hwy., Weatherford, Texas 76088

https://www.nationalvnwarmuseum.org

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/thenationalvietnamwarmuseum

Worth Scout Ranch, 1518 Worth Ranch Rd., Palo Pinto, Texas 76484

https://www.longhorncouncil.org/worth-ranch

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We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time.

The Staff of Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services

www.galbreaithpickard.com