CAREY GORDON T

LTC Gordon T. Carey was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 02/12/2015 at the age of 81.9
Austin, TX
Flight Classes 57-13 and 59-C3
Date of Birth 03/20/1933
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with A/501 AVN in 65, 71 AHC in 66, 145 AVN BN in 69, 3/17 CAV in 69, 12 AVN GP in 70
Call signs in Vietnam RATTLER 6, RED HORSE 6
This information was provided by Crete Carey (wife)

More detail on this person: LTC Gordon Thomas Carey, USA (RET), 3/20/1933 - 2/12/2015, in Austin, TX. A true patriot and admired leader, he embodied the best of the Greatest Generation. He will be deeply missed as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and remembered as a respected Army Officer, businessman, and friend. His great sense of humor and engaging personality drew people around him wherever he went.

Gordon retired after more than 20 years of service, in 1972. His final assignment was in the US Army Research and Development, Special Projects Group, in Washington, DC. Trained as a multi-engine and helicopter pilot, he logged approximately 3400 hours flight time and over 800 hours of combat flight time. As a veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam ( 3 tours) in the Army Air Cavalry, he received several commendation awards and medals, including his highest achieved, the Silver Star, for gallantry in action in Vietnam on 07, May 1970. Gordon served as a Commanding Officer of Company "A", 2nd Battalion, 66th Armor, 4th Armored Division in Germany, the 71st Assault Helicopter Co in Vietnam, and the 3rd Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry in Vietnam.

Gordon was born on a farm in Nash County, NC. He graduated from Kenwood High School in Baltimore County, Maryland. Gordon attended the University of Maryland and graduated from the University of Nebraska. He served as the Cadet Captain of the Civil Air Patrol, and later joined the Maryland Air National Guard. He entered the US Army in 1952. Subsequent to service, Gordon spent over 30 years in real estate management in the Washington, DC metro area, San Fernando Valley, California, and Las Vegas, NV.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Crete Strawhecker Carey, daughters Holly Helms, and Lauren Langis, son Mark Carey. He is also survived by brother, Anthony Carey, and 2 sisters, Ruth Cary Swanstrom, and Shirley Burdeaux, of Maryland. Grandchildren include, Luke Helms, Brian Carey and Shannon Carey.

Internment, service, and Military Honors will be at ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY, Washington, DC on JUNE 19, 2015, at 1PM, at the Old Post Chapel. A formal reception will be held following the service at the Women's Memorial at the entrance to the Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Luke's on the Lake Episcopal Church, 5600 Ranch Rd 620 North, Austin, TX 78732, in his honor, for all the support and numerous visits made during the last months of his illness.

It is greatly appreciated from those who remember Gordon Carey to send messages, military service memories, stories, etc., to place in his memorial book. Please send email to: cretecarey@aol.com

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024