Colonel (Ret.) Leo Matthew Melanson, 76, of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, died April 27, 2018, after an illness. He was a native of Salem, Massachusetts. Col. Melanson’s many assignments included tours in Germany and Hawaii and Vietnam during the periods 1967-1968 and 1971-1972. He had a variety of command and staff assignments throughout his career: Company Commander in Germany and Vietnam; joint staff assignments; Deputy Commander of Field Station Kunia, Hawaii and Field Station Berlin. His last command was as the commander of the Cryptologic Support Group in Heidelberg, Germany, in Support of USAEUR. His last assignment was with the Commander in Chief of the Pacific Fleet. Following retirement from the Army in 1993 he was an Associate Professor at Hawaii Pacific University and later was employed as a contractor for Quantum International where he was responsible for the deployment of the Stryker brigade in Hawaii.

Colonel Melanson received his Baccalaureate Degree (BA) at Providence College in 1963 and his Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts in 1972. He continued his post-graduation education at the University of Southern California, the Defense Intelligence College and the Army War College in 1984.

Among his awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. His unit awards include the meritorious Unit Citation with four Oak Clusters, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

Surviving are his wife Susan Balmat Melanson; son Leo M. Melanson (Karen) of Newburyport, MA; step-daughter, Kimberly Gomez of Miami, FL; grandchildren, Kelsey Melanson, Tyler Melanson, and Briana Gomez.

Inurnment will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans, POB 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.