Mountainside Veteran John Trupchak Reflects on Service, Faith and Love

John Trupchak sits down to talk about a life marked by military service, deep faith, and the ties that hold a family and community together. A Mountainside resident, Trupchak enlisted in the Marine Corps on January 28, 1966, the day before the Army draft would have called him. He chose four years of guaranteed aviation training over two years in the Army—a decision that would shape the next five decades of his life.

Born in Manhattan and raised in Port Chester, New York, Trupchak completed infantry training at Camp Lejeune and six months of Aviation Electrical School at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. He was assigned to VMFA-323 at MCAS Chu Lai, a Marine air base on the coast about 60 miles south of Da Nang in Vietnam. As an aviation electrician, he worked 12-hour shifts maintaining aircraft. The major repairs often happened at night, when the hangar fell quiet.

During the Tet Offensive, the war came closer than Trupchak expected. A rocket bounced over his head without exploding while he was pulling on his flak jacket in the hangar—a moment that could have changed everything. Instead, Trupchak stayed. He extended his service multiple times, earning 30 days of leave for each six-month extension, and left the Marine Corps as a Sergeant on November 4, 1969.

Returning home, Trupchak began a civilian aviation career. He worked at a Johns Manville hangar before joining Xerox's aviation department at Westchester County Airport. Over nearly thirty years, he advanced to director of maintenance. Later, he served as director of maintenance for Flexjet at Teterboro Airport before retiring.

Trupchak met his wife Elizabeth after returning from service. They built a life together, married for 49 and a half years until her death in January 2021 at age 69. Now Trupchak lives in Mountainside near his son and two grandchildren, grounded in the community that has become home.

Reflecting on his life, Trupchak emphasizes the importance of citizenship and voting wisely. He speaks about younger generations understanding the cost of America's wars and the responsibilities that service demands. For Trupchak, the combination of faith, family, and service has been the foundation of everything that came after.

His story is a reminder that in Mountainside and across Union County, there are neighbors whose lives were shaped by sacrifice and commitment—and who continue to carry those values forward.

FAQ

Q: Where did John Trupchak serve in the Marine Corps?

A: Trupchak was assigned to VMFA-323 at MCAS Chu Lai, a Marine air base on the coast about 60 miles south of Da Nang, Vietnam. He served as an aviation electrician, working 12-hour shifts maintaining aircraft.

Q: Why did Trupchak choose the Marine Corps over the Army?

A: On January 28, 1966, Trupchak enlisted in the Marine Corps the day before the Army draft would have called him. He chose four years of service with guaranteed aviation training over two years in the Army.

Q: What was Trupchak's role as an aviation electrician?

A: He maintained aircraft, working 12-hour shifts. Major repair work often took place at night in the hangar. During the Tet Offensive, he had a close encounter when a rocket bounced over his head without exploding while he was pulling on his flak jacket.

Q: What did Trupchak do after leaving the Marine Corps?

A: Trupchak built a career in aviation maintenance. He worked at Johns Manville, then joined Xerox's aviation department at Westchester County Airport, where he advanced to director of maintenance over nearly thirty years. He later served as director of maintenance for Flexjet at Teterboro Airport before retiring.

Q: How long was Trupchak married?

A: Trupchak met his wife Elizabeth after returning home and they were married for 49 and a half years until her death in January 2021 at age 69.

Q: What does Trupchak emphasize about citizenship?

A: Reflecting on his life, Trupchak emphasizes the importance of voting wisely and younger generations understanding the cost of America's wars and the responsibilities of service.