Lt. Col. Gast

I knew Harry when he was the HDC Officer on the USS Guam...on a cruise with a Marine BLT onboard. I was a young know-it-all Capt. and Harry was patient and taught me a bunch! He was one of the most up-beat, positive, philosophical, and professional Marines I have ever known. He was a real gentleman, supporting another colleague who was having a problem with ship's company, and putting up with me, as the Asst. S-3 for a coomposite squadron...I was asking way too many dumb questions....he took me under his wing......thank you Harry....we will meet again in the big squadron ready-room someday....keep the coffee hot for the rest of us......

Semper Fidelis,

Moon Mullen

March 24 at Arlington

Thank you Wally,
I've attached a file of his obituary with a photo. We mostly would like his friends to know they are welcome to come to the service. Thank you very much for your quick response.

Teresa
=====

Lieutenant Colonel Harry Howard Gast Jr. USMC (Retired) age 74, passed away unexpectedly, November 16, 2005 at his home on Talahi Island, Georgia.

He was born June 9, 1931 in Los Angeles, California to Matilda Adams Gast and Harry Howard Gast. He graduated from the California Military Academy in 1947 and University High School in Los Angeles in 1950. In 1948 he joined the United States Marine Corps until he retired in 1975.

Lieutenant Colonel Gast had a long and medaled career as a helicopter pilot for the United States Marine Corps. He served in both the Korean War and Vietnam War. During his tour in Vietnam he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in combat action. He was also awarded a Silver Star as a Captain and a Gold star as a Major for heroic achievement in two of many emergency extraction missions while serving as a pilot with the Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 363. Although he would probably disagree, one of the most impressive duties in his career was the privilege of flying the Presidential helicopter for Presidents John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.

He is survived by his step daughter Kinsey Smith of Sacramento, CA, his daughter and her husband Teresa and Andy Wenzel of Walnut, his son Kevin Gast of San Francisco, CA, his granddaughter Megan Wenzel, and his sister Janice L’Estrange, Grass Valley, California and his dog Spenser who was his faithful companion. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends who will miss him very much. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife Pam and his son David.

Lieutenant Colonel Gast will be laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on Friday, March 24, 2006 at 11:00 am. All who knew him are welcome.

LtCol Harry Gast

I was privileged to work for then-Major Gast aboard the USS GUAM (LPH-9) around 1972-73. I was one of his "squids", a Navy air traffic controller in the HDC. He was one of the finest officers I ever knew or served with in my entire 23 year career in the Navy, bar none. Men of his caliber are rare indeed.