John Thomas Raymond died Saturday March 22, 2014 at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center.
He was a local businessman and civic leader working in the healthcare industry since retiring from the military in 1969 and returning to his hometown of Breaux Bridge. He was a founder and co-owner of St. Agnes Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, which opened in Breaux Bridge in 1984. He was the first administrator of Gary Memorial Hospital and has served as a Breaux Bridge city councilman. More recently, he and a business partner opened Buck & Johnny’s restaurant in Breaux Bridge in the former Domingue Motors building which his father had worked in during the 1950’s and 1960’s.
He began his distinguished military career during World War II, enlisting in the U.S. Navy for one year. He joined the U.S. Army in 1950 and in 1951 was commissioned as an officer. His military career included a tour in the Korean War, during which he served as a platoon leader in the 5th Regimental Combat Team and then as its youngest company commander. His training included paratrooper, jumpmaster, ranger, and mountain climbing schools. While in Korea he joined the newly formed 77th Special Forces Group, which he took to Thailand in 1954 to organize the Thai Special Forces. He remained in Thailand to reorganize and train the Royal Thai Army Ranger Battalion in special operations. In a 50th anniversary ceremony in 2004 he was recognized as the father the Royal Thai Army’s Special Forces. On returning from Thailand in 1955, he joined the 82nd Airborne Division. He did a tour in Vietnam in 1968 and retired from the U.S. Army in 1969 as a lieutenant colonel.
The numerous medals and awards he received as a result of his military career included the Silver Star, The Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, and the Gold Star. During his service in Korea and Vietnam, he was decorated for bravery and meritorious service by the United States, Republic of Korea and Republic of Vietnam. Read more...
