Paul D. LaFond

Paul D. LaFond, 89
FALMOUTH -- Colonel Paul D. LaFond USMC, (Ret.), 89, a decorated World War II hero, career Marine Corps officer and avid outdoorsman died on Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, in Falmouth.
He was born in Skowhegan on July 28, 1921, the son of Damase LaFond and Georgianna LaBonte. Paul graduated from Skowhegan High School in 1939 and attended Bowdoin College from 1939 until 1942, when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He later graduated in 1962 with a B.A. (with academic distinction) from the University of Maryland.
Col. LaFond served his country with honor and distinction in three wars: WWII, Korea and Vietnam. His career in the Marine Corps spanned 29 years. Following the Battle of Okinawa he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. The award citation recounted his heroism: 'When the other platoon leaders of his company became casualties...Second Lieutenant LaFond immediately assumed command of these platoons in addition to his own and, reorganizing the company in the face of fanatical Japanese resistance, continued the assault and seized the objective. During the next 48 he stationed himself on the most fiercely contested points of the line and by his splendid example of leadership inspired his men to repel every attempted counterattack.'
From 1968 to 1969, Col. LaFond commanded the Third Marine Regiment, Third Marine Division in Vietnam and was awarded the Legion of Merit for his service there. In addition, Col. LaFond also was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, and three Vietnamese combat decorations.
Col. LaFond was a gifted leader, highly regarded by the men under his command, and devoted to them in return. General Charles Krulak, Commandant of the Marine Corps, best summed up Col. LaFond's career: 'He was the epitome of a Marine leader, caring, compassionate, yet tough when he needed to be tough.'
Col. LaFond retired from the Marine Corps in 1970, and shortly thereafter joined the staff of fellow Marine and United States Congressman Paul N. McCloskey Jr. of California to help run the D.C. office and advise on war policy. In the spring of 1971, he joined McCloskey on a mission to Laos to investigate civilian relocations resulting from the invasion of
Paul D. LaFond
Smart & Edwards Funeral Home
207-474-3357
that country by South Vietnam. The mission was featured in Life Magazine and was sharply critical of U.S. war policy.
In 1972, Paul attempted retirement again and moved to a farm in Vermont hoping to catch up on some overdue fly fishing. In 1974 he was recruited to become Commandant of Cadets and Dean of students at Norwich University in Northfield, Vt. He served at the university until 1979.
While at Bowdoin, Paul was nicknamed 'Trapper' by his fraternity brothers. Whenever he went missing they would know he was on some trout stream in the back woods of Maine. He began fly fishing as a young boy with his lifelong friend John Merrill of Skowhegan and his passion for the outdoors remained with him until his death. His enthusiasm for outdoor adventures was infectious. His grandchildren will never forget Grandpa's snowboarding debut at age 74, the wild rides along the Kennebec River on his snow machine, his self-rescue after breaking through the ice on the Kennebec while on cross country skis to retrieve his Lab, Mathilda, at age 84, and the treasure trove of stories about his escapades with friends and his three sons. With his family, he explored from Maine to the Sierra Nevada, hiking, camping and fishing, always with the family dog Jacques by his side.
Paul is survived by his three sons, Geoffrey and wife Anne, and their children, Sarah and Hunter of Falmouth; Peter and wife Michelle, and their children, Elyse, Emily and Michael of Falmouth; and Mark and wife Vickie, and their children, Bennett and Grace of Ballston Spa, N.Y. In 1948 Col. LaFond was married to Katherine Boardman. In 1972 he married Diane Glover.
A memorial service will be held at the Island Avenue Federated Church in Skowhegan on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at 2 p.m. Arrangements are being handled by Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. Telephone: 207-474-3357.
In lieu of flowers,
contributions may be made to:
The Marine Corps
Scholarship Foundation
121 S. Saint Asaph St.
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
mcsfs.org.