Andrew D. DeBona

1936 - 2018

Andrew D. DeBona

1936 - 2018 - Lieutenant Colonel Andrew (Andy) D. DeBona died on February 6, 2018 at Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, CA. According to Christine DeBona, her spouse died from multiple health issues. He was 81 years old.

A decorated US Marine, he enlisted in January 1955 and as the honor man of Platoon Ten, Marine Corps Recruit District and Paris Island South Carolina, he was meritoriously promoted to Private First Class. He was promoted to Corporal on May 1st, 1956 and twelve months later was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant. As one of twenty non-commissioned officers selected to attend Officers Candidate School via the Meritorious Non-Commissioned Officer Program, Sergeant DeBona was commissioned a second Lieutenant December 16, 1961.

He served two tours in the Viet Nam War, 1966/1967. During his first year as Captain, DeBona commanded Company "M", Third Battalion twenty-six Marines. During this tour he received the Navy Cross, Purple Heart with Star, Combat Action Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation including a Navy Unit Citation and was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

As a Major he was the Senior Advisor for the Seventh Battalion Vietnamese Marines in 1971/1972. Highly and continuously decorated by the military during his second tour he received three Bronze Stars with combat V, a Meritorious Unit Citation, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star, and the Vietnamese Honor Medal First Class.

DeBona also served two successful tours as Officer in Charge of Recruit Station Cincinnati from 1969 - 1971. From 1976-1977 he served as Executive Officer, then as Commanding Officer of the First Recruit Training Battalion at Marine Corps Recruit District in San Diego. In all he served in four infantry Battalions, 3/2, 3/26, 3/1, and 1/7. In 1978, DeBona was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His peacetime awards include the Navy Commendation Medal with Star, a Marine Unit Citation and the Good Conduct Medal with Star. He retired September 1, 1980.

Andrew David Charles DeBona was born in Johnstown, PA., on October 3, 1936 to Andrew S. and Helen (Kline) DeBona. He graduated from Ebensburg Cambria High School. He earned three degrees, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and an MBA through the Marine Corps College Degree Completion Program.

Several books published relate some of DeBona's combat and leadership experiences. These include, AMBUSH VALLEY by Eric Hammel, LIMA 6 by Colonel Richard Camp, THE EASTER OFFENSIVE by Colonel Gerald Turley, CON THIEN, THE HILL OF ANGELS by James Coan and VOICES FROM VIETNAM by Richard Verrone and Laura Calkins.

He is survived by his wife Christine (Lindgren) DeBona; stepdaughter, Kirsten K. Glover (Tracy) of Bisbee, AZ; sons: Dana DeBona of Montana; Andrew DeBona Jr. of California; daughter: Romaine DeBona of California, and one grandson, Andrew S. (Kelsie) of Eatonville WA.

The family have requested, in lieu of flowers, to please address any memorials in Andy's honor to 3rdBN 26 Marines, Scholarship fund, 1212 St. Asaph St. Alexandria, VA 22314, or Madison Valley Veterans' Memorial, PO Box 411, Ennis MT 59729.

A Memorial Service is scheduled in Ennis, Montana on May 19, 2018 at 2:00 at the Veterans Memorial.