Don Merino
I got a call at work with bad news. Another Brother was down and being taken to Vanderbilt Hospital via “Life Flight”. It was CSM (RET) Joseph M. Bossi. Images of days gone by started creeping though my small brain. Times of when Joe, alais “Don Merino” and I would sit at SafeHouse 38 smoke and joke with Da Cajun, Da Smurf, Diamond Jim, Mild Mannered Mikey, and Da Italian Stallion.
Don Merino was a major influence and contribitor within Chapter 38, SFA and SafeHouse 38; especially during the early years.
CSM (Retired) Joseph M. Bossi was a classiful Sergeant Major and has been reassigned to the big patrol base in the sky, but I suspect he, along with other Brothers, will be lighting the DZ for the rest of us.
Joe, keep a cool one for me and remember I smoke Marlboro 100’s known as Reds. So if you find any C-Rations laying around save the Marlboros for me, even though they only have “shortie” Marlboros in them. If you find Lucky Strikes please save them for Poker John.
Another Brother who will sorely be missed, but never forgotten.
Da Rock Sends………
Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Joseph M. Bossi age 77 of Clarksville, Tennessee passed away on Saturday February 6, 2016 at Grace Healthcare of Clarksville. He was born February 3, 1939 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Joe was a patriot who served his country in the United States Army.
Command Sergeant Major Joseph M. Bossi entered the U.S. Army in 1956. While in the Army he served four tours in Germany, three combat tours in Vietnam and one tour each in Thailand and Italy.
His stateside assignments included duty with the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry and the 506th Airborne Infantry, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. CSM Bossi served in numerous noncommissioned officer leadership positions. Highlights of these assignments are: First Sergeant, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; CSM, 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry, Germany; CSM, 3rd Brigade, 3rd Armored Division, Germany; and CSM, Special Troop 7th Corps, Germany. In July of 1984, CSM Bossi was selected to stay in the United States Army past 30 years. On July 9th, 1986, CSM Bossi assumed duties as CSM, Fourth United States Army, Fort Sheridan, Illinois. CSM Bossi retired with 33 years of service.
He attended numerous Army schools to include the Noncommissioned Officer Academy, the Sergeants Major Academy, Class 10, Basic Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Demolitions and Mine Warfare School, Special Warfare School, Combat Intelligence School and Air Assault School.
His awards and decorations include Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Laotian Jump Wings, German Marksmanship Badge in Gold, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, four Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Services Medal, two Air Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm, Presidential Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster).
He also served as the President of the Chapter 38, Special Forces Association and the President of the 101st Association where he was instrumental in the formation of both of those organizations. He was also a member of the American Legion in Oak Grove, Kentucky and the VFW in Clarksville, Tennessee..
Joe is survived by his wife Karin E. Klein Bossi of Clarksville; a daughter Kathi M. Stokes and husband Ricky L. of Clarksville; two sons Joseph R. Bossi and wife Jackie B. of Falls Church, Virginia; and Richard M. Bossi of Nashville, Tennessee. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Charlotte M. Bossi, Charles K. Stokes, and Amber Stokes as well as eight great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a grandson Darrell R. Willis. A memorial service with military honors will be conducted on Friday February 12, 2016 at 1300 hours (1:00 p.m.) at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery, West at Hopkinsville, Kentucky.
Arrangements are under the care of Gateway Funeral Home and Cremation Center 335 Franklin Street Clarksville, Tennessee 37040 Phone 931-919-2600
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