IN MEMORY HONOR ROLL

John Perry Gossett Jr (USMC-ret) was born in Marietta, GA in March 1948 to Samuel Franklin Gossett and Josephine Elizabeth Beck Gossett. He was the third of four children. He attended Sprayberry High School in Marietta. In 1966, Perry quit school to join the Marine Corps. At Parris Island SC boot camp, he was in Platoon 3016, S Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. Upon graduation Perry was sent to Viet Nam. Among the many battles he experienced were Operations Prairie, Cochise, Beacon Gate, Beacon Guide, Bear Claw, Hickory, Beau Charger, Buffalo, Beacon Point, Bastion Hill/Medina, and Liberty II. He was wounded four times prior to his last day in-country. He volunteered for one last mission on 31 October 1967. He was critically wounded in the neck.He spent the next year in Pensacola recuperating after having four cervical vertebrae replaced. The doctors said he would never walk again. He proved them wrong by learning to walk, talk and live again. His awards during his time in service included Viet Nam service medal, Purple Heart (4 times), Bronze Star and Navy Cross. He retired as a Corporal in 1972. He was married several times and had two children. He was last married to Nancy Elizabeth James in 1989. They lived in Villa Rica, GA. They enjoyed a full and wonderful life together for almost 25 years. He was diagnosed with Laryngeal cancer from Agent Orange in 2003. He went through radiation and chemo before finally having surgery to remove his larynx. He learned to speak with the use of a prosthesis. He fought a long battle of medical problems as a result of his cancer until his death on 7 August 2014.