Henry John Gordon

LTC Henry John (Jack) Gordon (ret) died on September 4, 2025, from late-stage Alzheimer’s disease. He was 89 years old. Jack was the son of Master Sargeant Harry J. and Evelyn (Madden) Gordon. He was born in New York, NY, on April 24, 1936, on Ft. Jay, Governor’s Island. As a child he lived at Ft. Leavenworth, KS, and Newark, NJ, where he attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School (in Newark). Wanting to be a soldier like this father, Jack received an appointment to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1958. He met his future wife, Henriette (Milner) as a West Point cadet. They married in 1960 at Ft. Benning, GA.

Jack’s military career—and by extension Henriette’s—spanned more than 24 years. Jack chose armor because he wanted to ride to work rather than walk. He was an Army Ranger and served as a tank commander in Germany during the Cuban Missile Crisis, which put him “in the field” over 290 days of the year. He served two tours as a military advisor to the South Vietnamese army (1965-66; 1970) and received several awards including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster (twice), Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Between his tours in Vietnam, Jack supported the ROTC program at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned a Master’s degree in International Affairs. After returning from Vietnam the second time, he was stationed at Ft. Ord, CA, and then Ft. Leavenworth, KS, where he attended and taught at the Command and General Staff College. While at Ft. Leavenworth, he earned his second Master’s degree from University of Kansas and pursued a PhD in International Affairs, finishing all but the dissertation. During this time, Jack coached his son John’s Little League teams, collaborating with John as both “talent scout” and first baseman. He also helped manage the Ft. Leavenworth Post’s horse stables in support of his daughter Leslie’s equestrian pursuits.

He was assigned as the professor of military science at the University of Notre Dame from 1977 - 1981. Jack relished his time at Notre Dame and became a devoted Irish football fan. While there he partnered with professors in two academic departments and co-taught the University’s first class on War, Law and Ethics. His last assignment was at TRADOC on the Presidio of San Francisco. After retiring from the Army, Jack held several positions at Pacific Telesis/SBC Communications (AT&T) (1984-2000), ranging from line supervisor, internal auditor, and worker’s compensation advisor.

Jack was an avid reader, sailor, and DIY guy. He loved to re-read his favorite books on topics ranging from military history, politics, science fiction, and historical fiction. While in San Francisco, he learned to sail and owned a 30 foot sailboat with Henriette named: His & Her Ship (HHS) Bliss. At the Presidio of San Francisco Yacht Club, he and Henriette served in leadership, each taking turns as the elected Commodore. He volunteered numerous hours to maintaining the club infrastructure and docks and was recognized with the Pfeiffer Trophy and Yachtsman of the Year multiple times. Jack and Henriette also joined their friends on bareback sailing trips in Tonga, British Virgin Islands, Greece, and Baja California.

Jack was known for his character and putting others first. In retirement, Jack spoke of his desire to serve and support his family and the church, which he demonstrated through his actions. In 2012, he and Henriette left San Francisco, moving to Falls Church, VA to support Leslie and her son Peter (their youngest grandson). In Virginia, Jack reconnected with his West Point classmates and served in the Wounded Warriors Mentor Program. He was also the Social Chair for the West Point class of ‘58 in Northern Virginia and volunteered each year to support the Arlington Diocese’s Work Camp home repair projects. Throughout, Jack was known for his good nature, sense of humor, and storytelling ability, which were still evident through the late stages of his disease. He was cherished by the Silverado Memory Care Community.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Henriette Marie (Milner); his son, John William (Kelly) Gordon of Atlantic Beach, FL; his daughter, Leslie Virginia Gordon of Falls Church, VA; three grandchildren—William Ashe (Melissa) Gordon of Marietta, GA; Kresil Cloud of Ft. Collins, CO; and Peter J. G. Shuman of Falls Church, VA; and two great grandchildren—Quinn Margaret and Miles Peter Gordon of Marietta, GA.

We are so blessed to have had him in our lives as husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will forever stay in our hearts and guide us toward our better angels.

A funeral mass in Falls Church and burial at Arlington National Cemetery will be scheduled. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Benedict’s Preparatory School, Newark, NJ; or to West Point Association of Graduates.