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John C. Bahnsen Jr., a retired Army brigadier general who was awarded 19 decorations for valor during the Vietnam War, mostly for his swashbuckling, hands-on command of an air cavalry troop that saw heavy combat, died on Feb. 21 at his home in Rochelle, Ga. He was 89.

His father also served in the First Air Cavalry Division as an infantryman in the Vietnam War.

He served two tours in Vietnam - first in the infantry, then in the air cavalry.

He served two tours in Vietnam — first in the infantry, then in the air cavalry.

One of the most compelling stories in “The Fighters” is that of Chief Warrant Officer Michael Slebodnik of the Air Cavalry, pilot of a Kiowa Warrior helicopter who flew missions in both Iraq and Afghanistan.