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New Windsor resident James Gonyo is promoted to colonel in New York Army National Guard

Iraq War Veteran leads the New York National Guard's Directorate of Logistics

LATHAM, N.Y. (04/18/2018) — James Gonyo, a New Windsor resident, was promoted to colonel in the New York Army National Guard during a promotion ceremony at the National Guard headquarters in Latham, N.Y. on April 15, 2018.

Gonyo, who has been a member of the New York Army National Guard since 1991, serves in the Director of Logistics for the New York National Guard, supervising the maintenance, supplies and readiness of the Army Guard's 10,000 Soldiers across the state.

He first enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1991 and went on to receive an officer's commission in 1995 from the Officer Candidate School program at Fort Benning, Georgia. He has served in a variety of leadership, command and staff assignments with increasing responsibility.

His leadership responsibilities have included rifle company commander, commander of the New York City Region National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, commander of the 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, 369th Sustainment Brigade Deputy Commander and most recently as the commander of the New York Army National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion.

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.

The presiding officer for the promotion ceremony was Major General Raymond Shields, Commander of the New York Army National Guard.

Gonyo, the son of James C.Gonyo Sr. and Jeanette Pageau, grew up in Mooers, N.Y. and graduated Clinton County Community College in 1990 and SUNY Plattsburgh in 1993.

Colonel Gonyo has completed several military schools and courses, including the Army War College Class of 2016.

His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th 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 (2nd Award), New York State Meritorious Service Medal, New York State Military Commendation Medal, NYS Long and Faithful Service Award (25 yr), NYS Defense of Liberty Medal with World Trade Center Device, NYS Aid to Civil Authorities Medal, NYS Counterdrug Service Ribbon and NYS Exercise Support Ribbon.

He is married to the former Karen Fitzgerald of Cornwall, New York. The couple have three children, Brendan, Meghan and Hunter.

Media Attachments

Col. James Gonyo is promoted in Latham, N.Y. April 15, 2018, by Maj. Gen. Raymond Shields, Commander of the New York Army National Guard. Gonyo's wife Karen places his new rank on his uniform as his family looks on. Photograph by Lt. Col. Roberta Comerford, 42nd Infantry Division.

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