Raymond Charles Costabile

On March 4, 2016 Raymond Charles Costabile (100), Colonel, Ord Corps passed away. He was born in Chicago on January 5, 1916. After graduating from high school he entered the University of Illinois and graduated in 1937 with a B.S. in chemistry. He completed ROTC training and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. After completion of graduate work in Organic Chemistry and Education he taught at Morton Junior College in Cicero, Ill. In February 1944, he was assigned to the China Burma India Theatre as Commanding Officer, 49th Ordnance Ammunition Battalion where he was also Commander of the Ammunition Depot adjacent to the Port of Calcutta. In that capacity, he commanded the largest US depot serving army and navy forces of that theatre.

In 1946 he began his first assignment at Joliet Arsenal and in 1947 he assumed command of the Joliet Arsenal, remaining until 1951. Prior to his departure, Colonel Costabile completely reactivated the arsenal for TNT and Tetryl manufacture as well as for shell and fuze loading to meet the needs of the Korean War. From July 1960 thru August 1963 Colonel Costabile served as an Ordnance Officer, Headquarters, US Army Caribbean. He returned to the US as a Special Assistant for Commodity Management, USAMUCOM and in July 1965 he became chief, Customer Relations and Commodity Management Officer.

Colonel Costabile started his final assignment in May 1966, when he was designated the US Army Material Command Project Manager for Bombs and Related components as was responsible for production of all DOD explosives and designated bombs and fuzes for use by the Air Force and Navy. During his tenure as Project Manager, over 3 million 750 lb. bombs have been delivered and more than 5 million pounds of explosives produced. Colonel Costabiles’ decorations and citations include the Bronze Star, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal., Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Unit Commendation, American Defense Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), Armed forces Reserve Medal and the National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. Colonel Costabile then joined the US Army Material Systems Analyst and added 20 more years of Federal Service for a total of 50 years. He was awarded the Dept. Of the Amy Meritorious Civilian Service Award.

He was the beloved husband of the late Mary Costabile; dear father of Michael R., Raymond A., Philomena M. and Phillip D. Costabile. He was the beloved grandfather of Therese, Michelle, Angelo, Phillip, Maria, Madison, Jack, Savario and Isabella. His is also survived by his great grandchildren Justin, Nikolas, Weston, Aliyah, Elianna and Delilah.

Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Schimunek Funeral Home of Bel Air, Inc., 610 W. MacPhail Road (at Rte24) on Friday from 4 to 8 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at the Joan of Arc Church, Aberdeen Maryland on Saturday at 10 am. Interment services at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Living Legacy Foundation, 1730 Twin Springs Road #200, Halethorpe, MD 21227 or The USO Department WS, PO Box 96860, Washington, DC 20090-6860.