Lt. Col. Terry T. Gladfelter

 Terry T. Gladfelter

Terry T. Gladfelter passed away peacefully at home in his “happy place” on Thursday, September 14, 2023.  Terry was born on February 04, 1936 to Alvin “Salty” and Wanda Gladfelter in El Dorado, Kansas.

He attended the University of Kansas and the University of Wichita, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in English from University of Wichita in 1958. In 1967, he graduated from the University of Maryland with a Master of Arts Degree in Speech and Human Communications.

Terry was commissioned as an officer in the US Army in February 1959.

During his time in the US Army he completed training in the schools of Infantry, Ordinance and Intelligence specializing in aerial surveillance, image interpretation and reconnaissance.  Terry served 28 months in the Vietnam Campaign as Chief Intelligence Officer for Combined Intelligence Center (CICV) supervising Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine personnel in the collection and exploitation of imagery, reconnaissance and surveillance assets.  While stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, Terry served as Deputy Chief of Staff Intelligence Exploitation Branch US Army, Europe supervising activities of Joint Army/Air Force Exploitation Branch in Wiesbaden.

Additionally, Terry served four years as chief of Material Division, Combat Developments United States Army Intelligence Center and School (USAICS) Fort Huachuca, AZ directing and planning the processing of Intelligence Integration, Processing for the Analysis Branch; Tactical Intelligence Concepts Branch; and the SCORES, OPSEC and Meteorology Branches.  Throughout his career Terry developed and presented briefings concerning the evolving roles and missions of intelligence to all major Army Centers and Schools, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Army Chief of Staff, and Cabinet level officials.

He retired from active duty in May of 1979 after completing 20 years of service to his country. During his military service Terry was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal (6 Campaigns); Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Meritorious Service Medal and two Bronze Stars.

Upon retirement from the Army, Terry worked at Martin & Stern, Inc. as a classified Intelligence Analyst for five years prior to a twenty-year career at TRW in classified project management, all-source intelligence analysis, development and support of intelligence and tactical systems.

In 1961, Terry married Joanne DiGiovanni, in Baltimore, Maryland at The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.  Terry and Joanne shared a beautiful life together for 62 years filled with love and respect for each other, growing as individuals as well as a couple while always remaining “best friends”.  Together they raised two daughters, Lisa and Joell and were blessed with two grandchildren Rowan Fitzpatrick and Connor Harrison Bell as well as a beloved son-in-law, Clint Fitzpatrick.

Terry will be laid to rest at LA National Cemetery with full Military Honors on Tuesday, October 10, 2023.