John A. B. Dillard

John A. B. Dillard (September 1, 1919 – May 12, 1970) was a United States Army major general who was killed in action on May 12, 1970, in South Vietnam. General Dillard was one five U.S. Army general officers who were casualties of the Vietnam War.

Early life and family
General Dillard was married to Betty L. Hawkins and had three children, John A. B. 3rd, Gerry and Revalee.

Education
General Dillard graduated from the Virginia Military Institute, Class of 1942 with a BS degree in civil engineering.

US Army career
General Dillard served as a Platoon Leader and Company Commander in Europe during World War II.

During the Korean War from July 1952 until July 1953, he served as a Battalion Operations Officer with the 25th Infantry Division in South Korea.

In November 1969, General Dillard was assigned to South Vietnam as Chief of the Engineer Command.

Death
On 12 May 1970, Major General Dillard and nine other Americans were aboard a UH-1 helicopter when it was hit by enemy fire in the Central Highlands, 10 mi  southwest of Pleiku and 220 mi northwest of Saigon. Also killed in the crash was Colonel Carroll Edward Adams Jr. (brigadier general), commander of the 937th Engineer Group. Sergeant-Major Robert W. Elkey was the only survivor of the crash and was seriously injured.