TBS 2-67 Cruisebook_Updated_7Jan23

John "Doc" Doherty
you for the good times, and thank you for your
conviction that it was important to go there and serve.
Would that we could have shared company and family
memories as old men. (4/29/02)
•
From Wall of Faces:
Bill Weathers writes:
Doc Doherty was the first upperclassman to befriend me
when I was a plebe at the Naval Academy. He had the
respect of all who knew him. This comment is just to
express the gratitude of so many of us for his service
and sacrifice. (May 26, 2012)
•
Bob Lewis writes:
No way around it, all our Charlie Company losses grate;
but isn’t it the case some are closer to home than
others. Just human nature. Lt. John “Doc” Doherty
falls into that category for me. It comes with a unique
chain of circumstances.
We were classmates at the Peddie school in
Heightstown, NJ. It’s a small prep school that
traditionally puts four or five students in the Naval
Academy every year. Our year, Doc and Howie Clark
headed to Annapolis and I opted for NROTC at Ole
Miss (after perusing the Academy’s math
curriculum). The first surprise came four years latter
when all three of us had opted to be Marines. Second
was when Doc and I ended up together in Company C.
And so it went.
We both got sent to the 3rd Division. We both ended up
along the DMZ. I had reservations at Con Tien, but
Doc had to settle for less commodious
accommodations further east in Leatherneck Square.
But we were so close I could have hit him with a
slingshot.
And then he was killed. Worst day for casualties in the
war swept him away. The connection severed.
There wasn’t, as I recollect, any particular recognition
for him at the moment. But a fine tribute was to
follow. At least to all us it will seem that way: His
younger brother left college and enlisted in the
Marines. Any kind thing we might think to say about
Doc Doherty will forever be topped by that.
Bob Lewis, Ocean Springs, MS
Doc was from Red Bank, New Jersey
M‐38