Ranger Hall of Fame
Allen | Atkins | Barber | Bayne | Black | Butler | Carrier | Caruth | Castonguay | Channon | Church | Cicuzza | Cournoyer | Eaton | Fike | Geer | Hale | Heath | Herbert | Kirshfield | Labrozzi | Madison | Mastin | McGee| Miles | Porter | Posey | Pucel | Puckett | Queen | Rinard | Rivera | Ross | Singlaub | Strong | Valrey |Waters | Watson
MASTER SERGEANT ROMEO JOHN CASTONGUAY
Ranger Romeo John Castonguay is inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame for his unfailing devotion to duty and his heroic service to the Nation. During WWII, Master Sergeant Castonguay served with the 517th Parachute Infantry, 17th Airborne Division, participating in combat parachute assaults into southern France and fighting in three subsequent major campaigns. In 1950, MSG Castonguay volunteered for the newly activated Airborne Ranger companies. During training, he treated every situation as a “teachable moment.” After hours, he was available to give informal instruction. These sessions were wide ranging-- from weapons and map reading to infantry tactics—and his military knowledge was encyclopedic. He was instrumental in the high degree of combat readiness exhibited by the 1st Ranger Company when it entered combat in Korea. When the 1st Ranger Company was committed to combat, MSG Castonguay always stayed with his Rangers. Leaving others to do rear area duties, he would accompany most combat missions, recognizing where his presence could contribute the most. In early February, 1950, during the nighttime Chang Mal Raid, two Rangers were severely wounded during the approach march, and their squad was left behind for security and to find shelter for the wounded from the -25degree cold. After the mission, in which over 100 of the enemy were killed, Ranger Castonguay returned alone through enemy lines to locate the missing Rangers. As darkness fell, he managed to locate them and lead them safely back to friendly lines. On the morning of 15 February 1951, at Chip Yong Ni, during an attack to regain an over-run 23rd RCT position, all twenty-seven attacking Rangers were either killed or wounded. Without hesitation, Ranger Castonguay began to evacuate the wounded under murderous enemy fire. He suffered a severe wound to his stomach but continued to assist his fellow Rangers to safety. A second burst tore into his face. His now famous dying words were “they shot my ‘Gaw-damned beak off.”
