Csm Joseph R. (Ret.) Gagnon
December 5, 1931 — January 19, 2019
CSM Joseph R. Gagnon (USA Ret.), 87, passed away Saturday, January 19, 2019 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
A memorial mass will be held 1:00pm Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at Fort Benning Main Chapel with Father Gonzalez officiating. Inurnment will follow at Fort Benning Main Post Cemetery. The family will greet friends after the service.
CSM Gagnon served his country honorably in the United States Army. In September 1950, CSM Gagnon volunteered for the Rangers and was assigned to Fort Benning with the 1st Ranger Company (ABN). This company was the first unit to receive the coveted black and gold Ranger tab. In November 1950 he was assigned and trained with the newly formed 5th Ranger Company (ABN) and moved to Fort Carson, CO for mountain training. From there his company deployed to Korea. After a break in service, he re-enlisted and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division; then to Special Forces and on to MAAG China, where he conducted clandestine operations off the coast of China during intense artillery fire from the communist Chinese mainland. During his 30 year career, CSM Gagnon served one tour in the Korean Conflict and three tours in Vietnam, mostly in Ranger and Special Forces units. His awards include the Combat Infantry Badge with Star, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with V and 3 OLC, Purple Heart with 2 OLC, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with OLC, Army Commendation Medal with OLC, Master Parachutist Badge with combat jump, Glidermans Badge, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Badge, Korean Parachutist Badge, Taiwanese Parachutist Badge, Vietnamese Parachutist Badge, Presidential Unit Citation with OLC, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation with palm, Vietnam Unit Gallantry Citation with palm, and other awards. CSM Gagnon was a member of the Ranger Hall of Fame, 5th Airborne Ranger Co. Association, US Army Ranger Association (life member), and St. Maurice Catholic Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. After his retirement in 1983, CSM Gagnon continued to serve Rangers working for the Director of Training as a Project Officer developing training strategies for new equipment. CSM Gagnon lived the Ranger Creed, epitomized the quiet professional, and was an inspiration to all Rangers past, present, and future. He will be greatly missed.
Rangers Lead the Way.
CSM Gagnon is preceded in death by his parents, Emile Joseph Gagnon and Lucinda Deziel Gagnon; and sister Georgette Samson. Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Lucille Gagnon; daughters Marie Searcy (Brian) of Raleigh, NC, Irene Downey (Tim) of Phenix City, AL, Joanne Polcynski of Fairhope, AL, and Teresa Jeswald (Bob) of Waverly Hall, GA; grandchildren Marion, Christine, Jennifer, Michelle, Adam, Eva, and Sophia; great grandchildren Jackson, Cate, and Claire; sisters Collette Gagnon and Lucinda Mullane (Don); brother Emile Gagnon (Nancy); nephew Robert Sartori; and niece Jayne Balazs.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Columbus Hospice of Columbus and Alabama, www.columbushospice.com.
*Directions to the chapel at Ft. Benning
https://yellow.place/en/ft-benning-st-maurice-parish-fort-benning-usa
7381 Ingersoll St. (Bldg 1680)
Ft. Benning, GA, 31905
A memorial mass will be held 1:00pm Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at Fort Benning Main Chapel with Father Gonzalez officiating. Inurnment will follow at Fort Benning Main Post Cemetery. The family will greet friends after the service.
CSM Gagnon served his country honorably in the United States Army. In September 1950, CSM Gagnon volunteered for the Rangers and was assigned to Fort Benning with the 1st Ranger Company (ABN). This company was the first unit to receive the coveted black and gold Ranger tab. In November 1950 he was assigned and trained with the newly formed 5th Ranger Company (ABN) and moved to Fort Carson, CO for mountain training. From there his company deployed to Korea. After a break in service, he re-enlisted and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division; then to Special Forces and on to MAAG China, where he conducted clandestine operations off the coast of China during intense artillery fire from the communist Chinese mainland. During his 30 year career, CSM Gagnon served one tour in the Korean Conflict and three tours in Vietnam, mostly in Ranger and Special Forces units. His awards include the Combat Infantry Badge with Star, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with V and 3 OLC, Purple Heart with 2 OLC, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with OLC, Army Commendation Medal with OLC, Master Parachutist Badge with combat jump, Glidermans Badge, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Badge, Korean Parachutist Badge, Taiwanese Parachutist Badge, Vietnamese Parachutist Badge, Presidential Unit Citation with OLC, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation with palm, Vietnam Unit Gallantry Citation with palm, and other awards. CSM Gagnon was a member of the Ranger Hall of Fame, 5th Airborne Ranger Co. Association, US Army Ranger Association (life member), and St. Maurice Catholic Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister. After his retirement in 1983, CSM Gagnon continued to serve Rangers working for the Director of Training as a Project Officer developing training strategies for new equipment. CSM Gagnon lived the Ranger Creed, epitomized the quiet professional, and was an inspiration to all Rangers past, present, and future. He will be greatly missed.
Rangers Lead the Way.
CSM Gagnon is preceded in death by his parents, Emile Joseph Gagnon and Lucinda Deziel Gagnon; and sister Georgette Samson. Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Lucille Gagnon; daughters Marie Searcy (Brian) of Raleigh, NC, Irene Downey (Tim) of Phenix City, AL, Joanne Polcynski of Fairhope, AL, and Teresa Jeswald (Bob) of Waverly Hall, GA; grandchildren Marion, Christine, Jennifer, Michelle, Adam, Eva, and Sophia; great grandchildren Jackson, Cate, and Claire; sisters Collette Gagnon and Lucinda Mullane (Don); brother Emile Gagnon (Nancy); nephew Robert Sartori; and niece Jayne Balazs.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Columbus Hospice of Columbus and Alabama, www.columbushospice.com.
*Directions to the chapel at Ft. Benning
https://yellow.place/en/ft-benning-st-maurice-parish-fort-benning-usa
Funeral Service
JAN 30. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (CST)
Ft. Benning St. Maurice Parish7381 Ingersoll St. (Bldg 1680)
Ft. Benning, GA, 31905
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