Full Name: John Doe

Alternative Name: Paratrooper John Doe

Case Status: Unidentified

Record ID#: 0363

*The names “Jane Doe”  and “John Doe” are English names used when the person’s true name is not known. If used above, the name refers to a person of unknown identity.

Date of Birth*: Estimated between 1953 – 1963
Birthplace:
Age at the Time: Estimated between 21 – 30
Age Group: 20s, 30s
Biological Sex: Male
Hair: Light Brunette
Eyes: Brown
Skin Complexion:
Shoe Size:
Ethnicity: Caucasian or White
Nationality:
Languages Spoken:

*If the date says January 1, this is often just a placeholder for an unknown specific date. It usually means “sometime that year”.

Physical Build:

Height:

Weight

Distinguishing Marks:

• Tattoo

Medical Condition:
Physical Abnormality:
Dental Condition:
Scars & Other Marks:
Piercings:
Tattoos:

• Left arm has a tattoo reading “Born to Fly Free” below a Pegasus flying over mountains and a lightening bolt striking through a cloud. Some have observed that the U.S. is spelled with commas instead of periods (Link), which might mean he got the tattoo abroad. There is also some resemblance with the 330th Troop Carrier Squadron from Tennessee (Link)
• Right arm has a tattoo reading “U.S. Paratroopers” alongside a skull with a red beret.

Other Descriptors: His tattoos suggest he may have served in the US military. Based on his estimated age of 21–30 at the time of death, his birth year likely fell somewhere between 1953 and 1963, placing his possible active military service between roughly 1972 and 1984.

Clothing

• Tan Swimming Suit

Possessions:

Date of the Disappearance*: Estimated one day prior to recovery, which would be around May 23 – 25, 1984

Description: The man known as “Paratrooper” John Doe has no confirmed identity, and the circumstances leading to his death remain unknown. His body was found in Fort Lauderdale on May 26, 1984 over Memorial Day weekend. Nothing is known about where he came from, how he ended up in the water, or whether anyone reported him missing. The victim likely disappeared while swimming in the waterway or somewhere nearby.

Multiple Victims?: No

Rumored or Actual Sightings:

*If the date says January 1, this is often just a placeholder for an unknown specific date. It usually means “sometime that year”.

Date the Body was Recovered: Between May 24 – 26, 1984 (differs according to the resource)

Description: His body was recovered in the Intracoastal Waterway near the 500 block of Bayshore Drive, close to the Sunrise Boulevard Bridge, by a fisherman in a small boat at approximately 7:00 a.m. The Broward Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death to be drowning and noted there were no signs of foul play. The estimated time since death was only one day, so someone may have seen him locally (e.g., in bars, restaurants, or hotels) over the holiday period.

Two distinctive tattoos became the primary clues to his identity: a winged horse skull with the words “Born to Fly” on his left arm, and a skull with the words “US Paratrooper” on his right arm . . . the latter earning him his unofficial nickname. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department worked with the Broward Sheriff’s Office to produce sketches of the victim, which were shared with the media in June 1984. Authorities also sent fingerprints to local and federal partners, but were unable to make an identification.

Time of Death: Circa 1984, about 1 day prior to discovery

Cause of Death: Drowning

Recovered Remains (if partial):

Suspected Homicide?: No

Multiple Victims?: No

DNA Tested (No Match):

*If the date says January 1, this is often just a placeholder for an unknown specific date. It usually means “sometime that year”.

Description:

License Plate:

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