His first tour of duty began in World War II, when he left Bowdoin College before graduating to enlist in the Marines.
His military career ended nearly 30 years later, but not before he had served in three major wars, won honors for gallantry in action, and received accolades from his fellow Marines for leadership and bravery.
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Col. Paul D. LaFond, a longtime resident of Skowhegan, died Friday in Falmouth. He was 89.
“My father was a terrifically courageous guy, but not a blood-and-guts type guy. He was bright and capable and knew he had a job to do,” said one of his three sons, Geoffrey LaFond of Falmouth.
Mr. LaFond was born in Skowhegan and attended local schools, graduating from Skowhegan High School in 1939.
“Skowhegan was always his hometown. For a guy who lived all over the world, Skowhegan was the one constant thread,” his son said.
Mr. LaFond’s family operated LaFond’s Clothing Store in Skowhegan. Margaret Chase Smith worked there for a time, before she became a U.S. senator.
After high school, he enrolled at Bowdoin College, but never graduated.
In 1942, Mr. LaFond joined the fight against the Japanese with fellow students Andrew Haldane, who was captain of the Bowdoin football team and student council president, and Everett Pope.
Haldane, who commanded a 235-man company of Marines in the battle for Peleliu, was killed by a sniper’s bullet at age 23. Pope, who was Maine’s last living World War II Medal of Honor recipient, died in 2009 on his 90th birthday.
“There was a remarkable cluster of young men from Bowdoin who did a lot of wonderful things,” Geoffrey LaFond said.
In the Marines, Mr. LaFond was trained at officer candidate school before being sent overseas to fight in the Pacific. He received the Silver Star for gallantry in action during the battle for Okinawa.
After World War II, Mr. LaFond returned to Boston, where he met his first wife, Katherine Boardman. They were married in 1948.
When Mr. LaFond was deployed to serve in the Korean War, his wife and children went to live on their grandfather’s chicken farm in Norridgewock.
Back from the war, Mr. LaFond completed his college education, earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland.
Later he served in the Vietnam War, commanding the Third Marine Division. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Presidential Unit citation, and three combat decorations for his service in Vietnam.
He retired from the Marines in 1970, and joined the staff of fellow Marine and U.S. Rep. Paul “Pete” McCloskey Jr. of California, advising him on war policy.
In 1971, they went on a fact-finding mission to Laos to investigate civilian relocations resulting from an invasion by South Vietnamese forces. Their mission was featured in Life magazine.
Mr. LaFond stayed active through his retirement years. His grandchildren inspired him to go snowboarding at age 74, and when he was 84 he rescued his beloved black Lab, Mathilda, after the dog fell through a patch of ice while Mr. LaFond was cross-country skiing.
“He instilled in all of us this attitude,” his son said. “A belief that if you are going to fully enjoy your life, you need to push the periphery.”
Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:
dhoey@pressherald.com
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