Colonel John A. “Snapper” GAGEN, USMC (Ret)
Golden Eagle Emeritus
 

Gentlemen,
 
It is my sad duty to report that on Friday, 4 August 2026, Golden Eagle Emeritus Col John “Snapper”’ GAGEN, USMC (Ret), made his Last Take Off at his residence in Anaheim Hills, California, after a long illness.
 
Snapper joined the U.S. Marine Corps to fly aircraft on August 1954 via the NAVCAD Program. He began U.S. Navy flight training immediately earning his Wings of Gold in May 1956. In June 1956 Snapper joined VMF-114 at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. He flew the F9F-8, F-4D, the TV-2 SeaStar, F3D Skyknight, and SNB Dauntless during this tour. In January 1959 VMF-114(AW) was reassigned to and deployed on board USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV 42). In September 1959 VMF-114(AW) was returned to MAG-24 and Snapper resumed flying the F9F-8T, TV-2 and the A-4D.
 
In May 1960 Snapper was reassigned to Marine Corps Recruiting and assigned as Officer Selection Officer in New York City. There he was able to keep current in the FJ-4D, F-4H and F-4B.
 
In April 1962 Snapper was reassigned to VMFA-314 at MCAS El Toro, California, flying the F-4D, F-4H and F-4B. In November 1963 the squadron was moved to NAF Atsugi, Japan, for a year. In November 1964 Snapper was selected for a U.S. Air Force exchange tour and was assigned to the 559th Tactical Fighter Squadron as Flight Commander/Weapons Officer at MacDill AFB, Florida. He flew F-4Cs during this tour. In June 1965 Snapper was deployed to Naha Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. In December the command was deployed to Cam Rhan Bay Air Base, South Vietnam, where Snapper flew combat missions as a Flight Commander.
 
In August 1966 Snapper received orders back to the USMC and VMFA-513 at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. He assumed the duties of Operations Officer and flew the F-4B, TF-9J and C-117.
 
May 1968 brought orders as Assistant Division Flight Officer at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where Snapper continued to fly the F-4B/J and the US-2A/B Tracker.

With the completion of that tour in January 1969 Snapper was reassigned to VMFA-312/451 as a Squadron Pilot at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, flying the F-4B/J and TA-4F. After a short medical hold Snapper was assigned to VMFA-542 as Maintenance Officer at DaNang Air Base, South Vietnam, where he flew the F-4B and TA-4F. This tour didn’t last but four months when Snapper was reassigned as the G3, Assistant Operations for 1st MAW at Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam, flying the F-4B, TA-4F and the US-2B.
 
In July 1970 Snapper was reassigned as a student at the Command and Staff College in Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, and once again flying … this time the T-28. In June 1971 Snapper was reassigned to Deputy Commander in Chief European Command as Assistant Executive Officer/Senior Flag Aide in Stuttgart, Germany. Somehow, he was able to fly the T-39 Saberliner.
 
In August 1974 Snapper was selected for and took command of VMFA-531 at MCAS El Toro, California, flying the F-4B/N. In June 1976 he relinquished command and was assigned as Commanding Officer at VMFAT-101 at MCAS Yuma, Arizona. In June 1977 he was reassigned as Executive Officer at Marine Corps Combat Crew Readiness Training Group-10 at MCAS Yuma flying the F-4N/J. In November Snapper took command of MCCRTG-10 and served until July 1979 when he was reassigned as Chief of Staff, 7th Marine Amphibious Brigade at Camp Pendleton, California. Snapper retired from the United States Marine Corps in March 1980 having flown in every tour of duty during his career.
 
Snapper amassed over 5,800 flight hours and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with Combat V, the Purple Heart, 26 Air Medals and the USAF Outstanding Unit Award with Combat V.
 
Colonel GAGEN is survived by his wife, Barbara Gagen. There are no services planned at this time.
 
He will be missed.

In Sadness,
Matt MOFFIT
Pilot