New Windsor Soldier to Command Historic NY Army National Guard unit

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Maj. James Gonyo during his combat tour with the 53rd Army Forces Liaison Team in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 5, 2009.

LATHAM, NY (11/16/2010)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Maj. James C. Gonyo II takes command of the Army's historic 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Nov. 20 at the unit armory in New York City.

Gonyo, from New Windsor, N.Y., previously served in Harlem as the acting brigade executive officer for New York's other historic organization, the 369th Sustainment Brigade.

In the change-of-command ceremony, the battalion's flag, or colors, are ceremonially transferred from the outgoing to the incoming commander, signifying to the unit's members that the leadership of the unit is in new hands. In this case the 42nd Infantry Division Deputy Commander, Col. Brian Balfe, will transfer the colors from Andonie, the outgoing commander, to Gonyo, the incoming one.

Gonyo enlisted in the New York Army National Guard in 1991 and received his commission in 1995 through the Officer Candidate School program at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Gonyo has served in a variety of leadership, command and staff assignments, including rifle team leader, detachment commander, rifle company commander, battalion air operations officer, tactical officer for the New York National Guard's Officer Candidate School, New York City Region Commander of the New York National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, deputy logistician for the 53rd Troop Command, Valhalla, battalion executive officer, logistics officer and acting brigade operations officer.

He deployed to Iraq and served in Baghdad with the 53rd Army Forces Liaison Team in 2009. While there, Gonyo served as a strategic planner with the Multi-National Forces Iraq Combined Joint Operations Directorate. He worked as an action officer to develop Iraq's National Border Security Strategy.

Gonyo has an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Clinton Community College, Plattsburgh, New York, and a receiving an Associate of Science in Business Administration/Accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology / Criminology from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.

His decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (4th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with campaign star, Humanitarian Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon (2), New York State Military Commendation Medal, NYS Long and Faithful Service Award (15 yr), NYS Defense of Liberty Medal with WTC Device, NYS Aid to Civil Authorities Medal, NYS Counterdrug Service Ribbon, NYS Exercise Support Ribbon.

Gonyo currently serves as an Active Guard and Reserve Officer. He and his wife Karen have three children.

Gonyo's father, James Gonyo Sr., lives in Rouses Point with his wife Martine. Gonyo's mother, Jeanette Pageau lives in Merrill, N.Y. with her husband Don.

The 1st Battalion 69th Infantry

The 1st Battalion 69th Infantry traces its heritage back to 1851 when the Second Irish Regiment of the New York State Militia was organized. That regiment was combined with others to form the 69th Infantry Regiment, which became a part of the famous Civil War "Irish Brigade."

Reportedly the 69th got its nickname as the "Fighting 69th" from Confederate General Robert E. Lee during the Battle of Malvern Hill in 1862 in Virginia, when it forced the "Louisiana Tigers" Brigade to retreat. Ironically, the 69th fought in the same brigade as the Louisiana Tigers during its deployment to Iraq in 2004 and 2005 when the 69th was part of the brigade, now the 256th Infantry Brigade of the Louisiana Army National Guard.

In World War I the 69th was redesignated the 165th Infantry and fought as part of the 42nd Infantry Division, the Rainbow Division, the second U.S. division to arrive in France. The author of the poem "Trees", Joyce Kilmer, was a scout in the 69th Infantry and died while serving in France.

In World War II the 69th was part of the New York National Guard's 27th Infantry Division and invaded the Islands of Makin and Saipan and fought on Okinawa. In 2004 the battalion was mobilized for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom. As part of the 256th Brigade Combat Team the battalion secured "Route Irish", the road from Baghdad International Airport to downtown Baghdad. At one time this was termed the most dangerous road in Iraq and the 1-69th turned that around.

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Maj. James Gonyo during his combat tour with the 53rd Army Forces Liaison Team in Baghdad, Iraq, Nov. 5, 2009.