Richard John Gannon II
Major, U.S. Marine Corps

Richard John Gannon II graduated from Escondido High School, and attended Cornell University on a Navy ROTC scholarship, graduating with a double major of Political Science and History. He took advanced leadership training at the U.S. Naval Academy and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1995.

On 17 April 2004, then-Captain Richard John Gannon II was serving as Commanding Officer, Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central command while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On that day, while Capt Gannon was leading his company to reinforce a besieged sniper observation post, his unit came under intense rocket-propelled grenade, medium machine gun, and small arms fire. Capt Gannon's combined anti-armor team countered this attack with a destructive direct assault employing heavy machine gun fire and guided missiles. While Company L assaulted a fortified position, housing an enemy squad-size force, Capt Gannon employed rockets, heavy machine guns, and snipers to support the maneuver of his platoons. The assault section leader was struck by enemy fire and fell mortally wounded during this engagement. While the section leader was evacuated from the street into the cover of a compound courtyard, Capt Gannon continued to press the attack, steadily moving forward to assist the wounded Marine. Maneuvering through the enemy fire while ignoring his own safety, Capt Gannon entered the courtyard to search for the wounded Marine. Upon entering a house, Capt Gannon exchanged small arms fire and grenades with 9 Mujahadeen fighters and fell mortally wounded. Capt Gannon’s bold leadership and courageous actions that day earned him, at the cost of his life, the U.S. Marine Corps' third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal.

Because he had been previously selected for promotion before his death, Captain Gannon was posthumously promoted to Major at the same time he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Navy & Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Silver Star Medal Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Captain Richard John Gannon, II, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, Company L, Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, FIRST Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central command in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM on 17 April 2004. While Captain Gannon was leading his company to reinforce a besieged sniper observation post, his unit came under intense rocket-propelled grenade, medium machine gun, and small arms fire. His combined anti-armor team countered this attack with a destructive direct assault employing heavy machine gun fire and guided missiles. While Company L assaulted a fortified position, housing an enemy squad-size force, Captain Gannon employed rockets, heavy machine guns, and snipers to support the maneuver of his platoons. The assault section leader was struck by enemy fire and fell mortally wounded during this engagement. While the section leader was evacuated from the street into the cover of a compound courtyard, Captain Gannon continued to press the attack, steadily moving forward to assist the wounded Marine. Maneuvering through the enemy fire, with complete disregard for his own safety, he entered the courtyard to search for the wounded Marine. Upon entering a house, he exchanged small arms fire and grenades with nine Mujahadeen fighters and fell mortally wounded. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Captain Gannon reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Burial

Major Richard John Gannon II is buried at the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego, San Diego County, CA.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8684425/richard-john-gannon