Harry Howard Gast Jr.

Lieutenant Colonel Harry Howard Gast Jr. USMC (Retired) Lieutenant Colonel Harry Howard Gast Jr. USMC (Retired) 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 daughter Kinsey Smith of Sacramento, CA, his daughter and her husband Teresa and Andy Wenzel of Walnut Creek, his granddaughter Megan Wenzel, his son Kevin Gast of San Francisco, CA, his sister Janice L'Estrange, Grass Valley, CA, 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. Savannah Morning News, December 11, 2005 Please sign our Obituary Guestbook at www.savannahnow.com