Sergeant Major Edward F. Komac

Sergeant Major Edward F. Komac

Edward Komac USA, Retired Age 77, died peacefully at home on March 27, 2016. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward F. Komac of Nokomis IL, his mother Phyllis Komac (Cummings) of Chicago IL, his brothers Dennis M. Komac of Springfield, IL and Jerome D. Komac of Round Lake Beach IL. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Barbara (Babs) Komac (Natola), Fonda, NY. His son Edward F. Komac III. Gilmer TX, and his wife Lin and granddaughter Kate and his nieces Kim, Kara and nephew Kevin.

Ed married Babs in Augsburg Germany after he finished his third tour in Vietnam. He told one and all that he not only had a wonderful wife but a best friend. It takes a special lady to be married to a soldier and I had that special lady, she was always there for me. Ed joined the Army at age 17 in 1955 and retired in 1986 with the rank of Sergeant Major. He was an Anti Aircraft Gunner, Infantryman, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal person. He served in Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Germany, Israel, and Egypt. He finished his career as Sergeant Major in charge of all the Northeastern Explosive Ordnance Detachments.

During his career he received many awards and decorations. Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal 3 awards, Meritorious Services Medal 3 awards, Army Commendation Medal 4 awards with a V for
heroism. The one award he was most proud of was his Combat Infantryman Badge awarded to him when he was with the 5^th Special Forces (Airborne).

Upon his retirement he worked for Honeywell/Alliant Tech Systems as their Explosive Ordnance person, testing munitions. He left them to work in Kuwait after the first Gulf War where he spent 18 months clearing unexploded ordnance. During the last 6 months, he cleared mine fields.

Ed said he will miss his wife, family and friends. He was glad that his last illness gave him a chance to say good bye.

In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to a Veterans Organization. A visitation was scheduled for Friday April 1 from 10 AM to Noon at the Roseville Memorial Chapel, 2245 Hamline Ave. North, Roseville. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

[Ed Komac was the guest of honor at our 2008 reunion in Dayton, Ohio.  He was one of the survivors of the siege of Dak Seang in Vietnam in 1970 in which Caribou air drops were a key element.]