Daniel Joseph Gogerty

Daniel Joseph Gogerty Sept. 20, 1933 to Dec. 8, 2008 Dan passed away at his home after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Irene, daughter Kathleen, sons Daniel and Roy, and his brothers Bob and Pat. A Marine Corps veteran wounded in Korea, he spent a lifetime championing veterans' causes, and was known to legislators in Olympia and Washington D.C. as a tireless advocate for those who served in uniform. He served on the state's Veterans Affairs advisory committee, was President of the Veterans Legislative coalition and the Governor's adviser on Veterans Affairs. Dan was selected to be President of the Northwest chapter of the Chosin Few and was honored as Veteran of the Year in 2004. At the time of his passing, he was Oregon chapter President. One of his proudest accomplishments was the commissioning of the Korean War Memorial, which now sits on the Capitol Grounds in Olympia. He was instrumental in securing private funding and chaired the design committee. Dan joined the Washington National Guard at age 15 and saw duty during the Columbia River flood of 1948. He then enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was just 16, made the landing at Inchon, Korea, and celebrated his 17th birthday in a firefight for the Seoul airfield. 58 years ago this month he and his fellow Marines fought at the Chosin Reservoir and battled out of encirclement by the Chinese Army. In his recollection, like all good Marines, he refused to admit that the Marines were retreating; instead he said they were, "just advancing in a different direction." His family can be confident today that Dan is just advancing in a different direction, and when he gets to his destination he will continue to advocate for the cause of veterans. Services will be held Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 1:30pm at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent. Remembrances may be sent to: Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA