LTC Percy W. Rhone Jr. was born on January 16th, 1968 in Los Angeles, California. He enlisted in the United Sates Army on July 29th, 1987. LTC Rhone joined the Army Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and earned a Bachelor’s of Science from Cameron University in December of 1997. On December 20, 1997, he commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. Upon commissioning, LTC Rhone attended and graduated from the United States Army Ordnance Corps Officer Basic Course at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
For his first assignments, LTC Rhone shared time between Hanau and Wiesbaden, Germany where he served as an Automotive Platoon Leader in 149th Maintenance Company, a Detachment Officer in Charge in the 77th Maintenance Company, a Plans and Operations Officer in 18th Corps Support Battalion, and as an Operations Officer in the 16th Corps Support Group. Following his assignments in Germany, LTC Rhone served as the Company Commander for 710th Ordnance Company at Fort Rosecrans, California, to include forward command in Kuwait. Thereafter, LTC Rhone was stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, where he served as an Explosive Ordnance Operations Officer and Operations Officer in the 242nd Ordnance Battalion and the 71st Ordnance Group. Following that assignment, LTC Rhone Commanded a NATO Observation Mission in El Gorah, Egypt. LTC Rhone then served as the Detachment Commander for the Technical Detachment at Indian Head, Maryland. From Indian Head, LTC Rhone moved to the Pentagon in Washington, DC where he served as the Deputy Branch Chief of the Adaptive Solutions Branch. His time at the Pentagon also included serving as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exploitation Officer in Iraq. The following assignments brought LTC Rhone to the United States Army Ordnance School, where he served as the Chief of the Capability Development Division and the Deputy Director for the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command – Capability Management and Explosive Ordnance Disposal. LTC Rhone then returned to the Pentagon for a second time, where he served as the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Branch Chief. LTC Rhone’s career culminated as the Chief of Current Operations for the 79th Theater Sustainment Command (Forward) in Vicenza, Italy.
His awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (w/Silver Oak Leaf), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (1 Bronze Knot), National Defense Service Medal (2 Stars), Kosovo Campaign Medal (1 Star), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 2), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (w/Silver Star), Multinational Force and Observers Medal (Numeral 2), Multinational Force and Observers Director General’s Award, Army Staff Identification Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, Senior Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.
LTC Rhone’s outstanding leadership, mentorship, expertise, and dedication to duty set the standard for every member of the Army Team to emulate. His presence will be dearly missed by every service member with whom he served alongside.
LTC Rhone is survived by his wife, Rochelle, two sisters Cynthia and Faith son, Wesley, daughters, Chloe, Chezna, and Tyesha, Uncle Terry Shoemaker (Elivia) Aunts, Denise Richardson and Lydia, Grandchildren granddauthters
Miyah and Essence, 5 grandson Marii, Petey, Dominic, Chance, and Marcel and nieces, nephews, and plenty of cousins.
