Photo By Stephen Barlow | A sign bearing Master Sgt. Gary Gordon's name is unveiled during a post dedication...... read more read more
FORT GORDON, Ga. – Master Sgt. Gary I. Gordon was 33 years old when he made the ultimate sacrifice, and nearly 32 years later, the Army is keeping its promise to ensure that he – and his fellow brothers-in-arms – are never forgotten.
Fort Gordon was officially dedicated during a ceremony Sept. 26, 2025, honoring Medal of Honor recipient Master Sgt. Gary Gordon.
The ceremony was hosted by U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Gordon Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Ryan Janovic. Gordon’s widow, Carmen Drake-Owens, and son, Ian, attended the ceremony along with several national and local leaders, and members of Special Forces organizations – displaying what Janovic described as “an amazing demonstration of solidarity.”
On Oct. 3, 1993, upon hearing word of a downed Blackhawk “Super Six Four,” Gordon and fellow elite sniper Sgt. 1st Class Randy Shughart repeatedly requested to be placed at the crash site.
Retired Col. Ron Russell, a Special Forces operations officer and veteran of the battle, recounted circumstances surrounding that day.
“I remember specifically on the radio, Gary and Randy asking to be inserted into the battlefield … I imagine now that they were flying around the battle, they could look down at the crash site, and they could see the hordes of Somalis that were surrounding the crash site,” Russell said. “The pilot that inserted them has since stated that no one in their right mind would have gone, because they could see exactly what they were getting into.”
Despite the imminent danger, the snipers’ requests were fulfilled. Inserted about 100 yards from the crash site, Gordon and Shughart fought their way to the Black Hawk where they rescued one of its injured pilots, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Durant; the remaining four crew members did not survive the crash.
“I believe that both Gary and Randy understood what they were seeing below them but believed they could sort that chaos into some semblance of order like they had been selected and trained to do so many times,” Russell said. “I also trust that they believed passionately in the Ranger Creed and the Special Forces Creed, which state, ‘I will never fail my comrades.’”
Surrounded by enemy fire, the three fought until the end. Gordon and Shughart were fatally wounded; and both were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions that day; Durant was eventually captured by the Somalis and released 11 days later.
Unable to make it to the dedication ceremony, Durant recorded a message that was played during a reception following the ceremony. He said the following:
“[Gordon] had supported multiple missions prior to that mission on October 3 in Somalia, all very successful. And his role was critical in providing fire support for the operators who are on the ground. On that day, not only did he do that, but he volunteered to come into my crash site and save my life. I would not be here if not for his actions and Randy’s actions.”
Those actions reflect the type of person Gordon was and the type of Soldier others should aspire to be, Janovic said. Gordon and Shughart were fully aware of the danger they were heading into, yet they insisted on going in so that the crew of Super Six Four might live.
“What we are doing today … is dedicating ourselves to live by the example set by Master Sgt. Gary Gordon – to earn the right to say that we live, work, and serve on Fort Gordon, where our watchword is ‘excellence,’ and we adhere to the Army Values personified in the memory of Gary,” Janovic said.
In addition to naming the installation after Master Sgt. Gary Gordon, a portion of the street at Chamberlain and Rice Road (where the ceremony was held) has been named Master Sergeant Gary Gordon Boulevard. The boulevard leads to the future location of the U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence headquarters. Three buildings nearby will surround what will later be known as Gary Gordon Plaza. A plaque, which was unveiled during the ceremony, will be installed inside the plaza.
Gordon’s widow Carmen said that her late husband was a confident but humble man who simply loved his country, his biological family, and his extended military family. Carmen shared stories of heroism from several of Gordon’s comrades who fought in Somalia and have since passed away.
“I can’t think of one without thinking of the other,” she said. “I am always honored to be the voice of my late husband, and I think if he was here today, he would want everyone to know that even though his name is on that placard as you enter this post, it’s not just for him; it’s for every single Soldier that served that day.”
When asked what she hopes Soldiers take away from her late husband’s legacy, she shared a few beliefs he lived by.
“My husband always said that if you set your mind to something, to never give up – to dream big,” she said. “My husband was someone who loved this country. He had morals, he was a very quiet and reserved person yet very strong, and I think he set a good example to give your own life for someone else that needed you to help them … and that is probably the most courageous and biggest gift that you can give.”
Janovic made a commitment to the Gordon family and urged others to join him in that commitment.
“Carmen, it’s my sincerest hope your expectations are met – that we begin a relationship that honors Gary perpetually … and that we deserve to be associated with his name … that all who drive through these gates are reminded of his selfless sacrifice,” Janovic said. “It is our duty to make sure that we are training the men and women that come through these gates in the memory of men like Gary Gordon and the memory of others who have served throughout our Army.”
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2025 14:39 |
| Story ID: | 549581 |
| Location: | FORT GORDON, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | LINCOLN, MAINE, US |
| Web Views: | 529 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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