The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Laurence Raymond Gaboury (MCSN: 0-68458), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Commanding Officer, Eighth Marine Regiment and as Assistant Division Commander, SECOND Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, from 8 July 1981 to 13 May 1983. As the commanding Officer, Eighth Marine Regiment, Colonel Gaboury provided the strong leadership and sound guidance which significantly enhanced the welfare, morale, and discipline of those personnel and units under his command. His exceptional guidance ensured sound training and unit readiness for Battalion Landing Team deployments with Marine Amphibious Units in the Mediterranean to include employment of units as members of the Multinational Peacekeeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon. Assigned collateral duty as Arms Commander for Camp Geiger, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, Colonel Gaboury directed and supervised significant improvements in and around Camp Geiger for the health and well-being of the Marines and Sailors under his command. Assigned as Acting Assistant Division Commander, SECOND Marine Division on 8 February 1983, Colonel Gaboury’s in-depth experience with exercise planning and the operational requirements of deployed units was invaluable as he assisted the Commanding General in ensuring the main objective of proficient and effective utilization of manpower, material, equipment and financial resources. By his unfailing good judgment, total effectiveness, and untiring devotion to duty, Colonel Gaboury reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Laurence Raymond Gaboury (MCSN: 0-68458), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the Communist insurgents forces while serving as a Reconnaissance Company Advisor and Assistant Task Force Advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Brigade during Operation LIEN KET 52/COLORADO, from 5 August to 14 August 1966. Captain Gaboury made significant contributions to the planning efforts of the task force staff and then voluntarily led a helicopter landed reconnaissance unit on a hill which was the dominant terrain feature in an operational area held by a Viet Cong regiment. From this position he relayed information on enemy movements and location of enemy strong points, reported on the accuracy of pre-planned air strikes and adjusted both artillery fire and aircraft missions. The unit remained in this position for three days and three nights despite near-constant enemy pressure, fighting off sporadic enemy sniper attacks, and rationing water and food to avoid risking the loss of a helicopter for a re-supply mission. The unit was extracted under fire on 9 August 1966, and Captain Gaboury assumed duties as an assistant to the Task Force Advisor. In operations on 13 August 1966 against a second Viet Cong regiment, he took over a tactical radio net, and by his calm, efficient, and accurate relay of information and directives from higher headquarters, materially aided the Task Force Commander and Task Force Advisor in the conduct of the operation. In two instances, despite determined and continual sniping by scattered enemy forces he successfully executed two medical evacuation missions from an exposed field, the second time in darkness and with a flashlight marking him as a target. Captain Gaboury’s professional skill, personal courage, and devotion to duty contributed materially to a successful accomplishment of the operation and the defeat of two Viet Cong regiments, and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 15, 1983 – July 1, 1985
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Laurence Raymond Gaboury (MCSN: 0-68458), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Senior United States Marine Corps Advisor to the President, Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island and Marine Corps Representative from 15 June 1983 to 1 July 1985. Throughout this period, Colonel Gaboury demonstrated sustained superlative performance in all assigned and implied tasks, thereby contributing markedly to the success of the Naval War College. His extensive and noteworthy operational experience, adherence to basic leadership principles and unreserved commitment to excellence are hallmarks of Colonel Gaboury’s service. By his superb professional abilities, extraordinary initiative, and untiring devotion to duty, Colonel Gaboury reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.