Thomas Coy Gordon

Major Thomas Coy Gordon

1919 - 1979

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Gallantry in Action

T.C. Gordon was born in Welland, Ontario to Lieutenant Ross Alexander Gordon and Mary Adele. As a teenager he attended St. Andrew’s College where he was the first student to receive the J. L. Wright Cup for the Best Upper School Cadet in 1938.

With special thanks to Helen Gordon

Web page compiled by Nathan Gordon

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First Special Service Force badge

1st Canadian Parachute Battalion

T.C. Gordon first joined the Canadian Officers’ Training Corps at Queen’s University where he received his commission as lieutenant. He later volunteered for and joined the Combined U.S.- Canadian First Special Service Force in 1942. It was with the Devil’s Brigade that he fought in Italy prior to D-Day. T.C. Gordon was wounded as his unit was taking Rome. However, after a few months in hospital, he saw more action in Marseilles and Toulon, Cannes and Nice. All the while, fighting in the mountains.

In July 1944, while in Italy, T.C. Gordon received the Silver Star for gallantry in action during battle on 21 May 1944 near Borgo Piave, Italy:

“His company was assigned the mission contacting the enemy and determining his strength and disposition. Skilfully he led his company across open, flat terrain and through enemy wire and mine fields to a point within a few yards of strong enemy defenses. He so effectively employed his troops that thirty Germans were killed, many wounded and twenty-one prisoners taken. During the fire fight Captain GORDON personally destroyed several of the enemy with his carbine and grenades. With a small group of men he remained in position under intense mortar, artillery and small arms fire to cover the successful withdrawal of his company. He personally supervised the evacuation of all wounded before leaving the area. Captain GORDON’s courage under fire and aggressive leadership inspired his men to inflict heavy loss on an overwhelming enemy force. His heroic performance reflects credit upon himself and the Allied Forces. Entered military service from St. Catharines, Ontario.”

T.C. Gordon joined the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion in 1945 after fighting in France and Italy.

In 1945, he married Helen McCormick and studied Forestry at the University of Toronto. After completing post-secondary school he first worked for James Richardson and Sons investments office in Galt (Cambridge) and then independently as an investment councillor. T.C. Gordon died of cancer in August 1979. He is survived by his wife Helen, three children, several grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In a recent memorial message Reverend Herb Morris explains the extraordinary nature of the First Special Service Force commandos:

“...Other flashbacks include the rain and mud of Italy, scaling cliffs while loaded with rucksacks or packboards and all kinds of combat gear to take snow-covered mountains including La Difensa and Mao below Cassino...Then the Force moved to Anzio Nettuno where by our night fighting we proved the value of unconventional and psychological warfare for 99 days on Anzio Beachead (without relief). In the breakout we headed to Rome, once again taking the mountain towns along the way. Some of us will never forget the dangerous days of the “Arena duck”, fortunately followed by the glorious victory of liberating Rome...”

T.C. and Nathan Gordon in 1979

Helen and T.C. Gordon in 1976

T.C. Gordon (far left) and his fellow soldiers

T.C. Gordon was awarded the Silver Star (left) in July 1944 and the Combat Infantry Badge (above) posthumously in August 2005.