More detail on this person: AUGUST M. CIANCIOLO Lieutenant General August ("Gus") Cianciolo,
US ARMY (Ret) died on April 4, 2011 from complications related to injuries sustained in an
automobile accident. He was born March 11, 1936 in Covington, KY to the late Fred and Mary
Cianciolo. He graduated from Xavier University in 1958 and went on to earn his master's degree from
the University of Southern California. Gus was commissioned as an officer in the US Army in 1959
where he spent over 33 years serving his country. Gus culminated his service as the Military Deputy
to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research, Development and Acquisition. Upon his
retirement from active service Gus settled in Alexandria, VA. Gus worked with Cypress International
and later joined The SPECTRUM Group where he served as Vice Chairman of the Board. Gus is
survived by his wife of 52 years, Sheila; his daughter and husband, Teri and Jim Henderson; son
Marty; son Tony and wife Erin; five grandchildren, Alex, Chris, Jenn, Dominic, and Adriana; brother
Joe; four sisters, Sue Hautz, Carol Held, Roseanne Brady, and Diane Hood. Gus enjoyed all aspects of
life, including his friendships, golf, aviation, and spending time with his grandchildren. Gus never
lost his positive outlook on life. Visitation for guests will be held from 2-4pm and 6-8pm on
Sunday, April 10th, at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. A
memorial service will be held at 10:30am on Monday, April 11th, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 2907
Popkins Lane, Alexandria, Virginia 22306. Funeral services with Full Military Honors will be held at
the Ft. Myer Memorial Chapel with internment to follow at Arlington National Cemetery at a later
date. His family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes
Fund, The Intrepid, West 46th and 12th Avenue, New York, NY, 10036.His family requests that in lieu
of flowers, donations be sent to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, The Intrepid, West 46th and 12th
Avenue, New York, NY, 10036.
Published in The Washington Post on April 7, 2011
Army Aviation Hall of Fame LTG August M. "Gus" Cianciolo, a Master Army Aviator, helped shape
Army Aviation through dedicated application of visionary leadership and management skills over a
34-year career. His distinguished career includes two tours in Vietnam where he commanded B Battery,
2nd of the 20th Aerial Rocket Artillery (ARA) and served as the battalion S-3. During each tour his
superior leadership led to his unit receiving special recognition for valorous performance. His
individual bravery was also recognized with a Bronze Star for valor. Other distinguished service
included program management of two Army acquisition programs - the Standoff target Acquisition
System and the Multiple Launch Rocket System. As the Army Staff Director of Weapons Systems, he
was responsible for oversight of the development, funding, fielding and sustainment of all Army
Aviation programs to include the Black Hawk, Apache, Chinook and Kiowa Warrior. Serving as the
commanding general of the Army Missile Command and Redstone Arsenal he led the development,
production and fielding of the HELLFIRE missiel on attack and armed reconnaissance helicopters.
Culminating his career as the Military Deputy to the Army Acquisition Executive and Director of the
Army Acquisition Corps he provided management oversight of all Army acquisition programs. His
ability to work effectively with senior leaders and subordinates ensure that there was "one voice"
advocating for Army Aviation. His sustained outstanding leadership established a bedrock foundation
for the Army's highly capable combat aviation systems of today and tomorrow. Published on page 69
February 29, 2020, Army Aviation Magazine. Inserted by Mike Law 25 March 2020.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 03/25/2020
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