Owen Ross Grogan

Colonel Owen R. Grogran was born in Dyersburg, Tennessee on February 15, 1920. He entered the military service as an enlisted man in January 1943, attended Engineer OCS and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in May 1943. While in Southeast Asia he did demolition and bomb disposal duty at Middleburg Island. He served in the Airborne Engineer Unit in the Southwest Pacific Area as a platoon leader, CO Ex and company commander. Next he served 3 years in the 82nd Airborne Division. During the Korean conflict he was a rifle company commander from 1950 to 1951. He did duty with the Marines at the Chosin Reservoir. In 1953-56, he was Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of California, Davis, California. He served in Panama as EX Officer of the Jungle Warfare Training Center and as an operations officer of the 20th Infantry Battle Group. In 1960, he saw duty with the Airborne Department Infantry School.

During Vietnam, 1965-66, he served two tours as the theatre logistics officer from the Army Materiel Command and project manager, first air CAV-(non standard items). In 1969-71, he saw duty in Europe as first commander of the Equipment Support Group and later a second command assigned commanding the Combat Equipment Group.

In 1971-73, he was Dean of School of Assets Management, U.S. Army Logistics Center, Fort Lee, VA. In 1973-76, he was commander of the first DSA Overseas, Defense General Supply Center, Richmond, VA.

He was awarded a BS degree from Florida State University and is a graduate of the command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

From 1978 to 1994 he was the Special Investigator in over 100 discrimination cases.

Other acknowledgments include Aeronautical Rating as a single engineer pilot; Hall of Fame, Corps of Engineers; Congressional recognition from Representative Cantor in 2003; 18 service medals and decorations; 10 Battle Stars; 66 months in combat. He also holds the rating as a Master Parachuter and combat infantry bade with Star and Thai Parachute Badge.

Decorations include: Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, 3 Legion of Merits and Defense Meritorious Service. Also was invited to speak at the Korean Army Ceremony for Veterans who supported Korea in 1950.

DFF and Army Commendations: Purple Heart, Korean Distinguished Medal with Silver Star.

Was recommended for General and Found physically disqualified, instead was awarded Combat Disability.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah Holmes Grogan; son, Reverend Bill Grogan and his wife, Reverend Fran Grogan; their daughter, Elizabeth Grogan and daughter Mary Lee Grogan and her husband, Raphael Connor, Esquire.

Colonel Owen R. Grogan passed away on Thursday, February 25, 2016. Visitations will be held on Monday, February 29, 2016 at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg from 6-8:30pm and at FLM, 8491 Chamberlayne Road, Richmond, VA from 4:30-8:30pm. Service will be held on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at Nelsen Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.nelsencares.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Nelsen Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA.