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| Raymond Maladowitz
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| NO. 17775 • 6 September 1928 – 25 March 1991
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Died 25 March 1991 in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, aged 62 years
Interment: Cremated in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
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WILL ROGERS MUST have used Ray as a model when he made his famous
statement, "I never met a man I didn’t like." In all my time as a
cadet and in the Army as well, I never met a man who did not like Ray
Maladowitz.
Ray was born to Rose and Wasyl Maladowitz on the 6th of September 1928 in
Garfield, New Jersey. He joined a close‑knit Ukranian immigrant family of
two brothers and five sisters. In Garfield High School, Ray became known
throughout the state as a bright, promising scholar‑athlete. The Garfield
football team won the Northern Region State Championship and Ray starred as a
fullback, passer and kicker; a true triple threat man. He was
heavily recruited by major eastern universities, to include the Ivy
League, but West Point won. Ray became one of "Blaik's Boys" and
entered West Point with the Class of '50.
Ray was as successful a cadet as he had been at Garfield High School, and
he was very proud of being a starting member of the Army football team. Ray
also went out for the lacrosse team and went on to become one of the
outstanding lacrosse players on the East Coast. Ray was recognized on the All
Eastern Team.
All of Ray's time was not, however, spent studying and participating in
athletics. He frequently could be found escorting his high school sweetheart,
Gladys Bobacker, a pretty, vivacious strawberry blond. They "dragged"
for four years; completely discrediting the old cadet theory that said,
"If you enter the Academy with one sweetheart, you will graduate with
another." Obviously this didn't happen. Ray and Gladys were not in a hurry
to get married and were not the first couple to be married after graduation;
they were the second.
Ray hit the ground running in combat in Korea, commanding troops of the
24th Infantry Regiment, 1950 – 51. Many of our classmates made the
supreme sacrifice during this same period. Ray left Korea well decorated, along
with a reputation as a fighting platoon leader who looked out for his men; both
exceedingly important for a career soldier.
After completion of the Associate Infantry Company Officers Course at
Fort Benning, Ray was assigned to the 47th Infantry Regiment at Fort Dix, New
Jersey, as a company XO and commander. Next, Ray was chosen to be the aide‑de‑camp
for Major General Zwicker, the Commanding General at Fort Kilmer. From there
back to Fort Benning for the Advanced Course followed by Ranger School. Ranger
Maladowitz next went to Europe as a company commander in the 86th Infantry
Regiment and Plans Officer in the V Corps G‑3 section. After completion
of the Russian course at the Army Language School, Ray returned to West Point
as a Russian 'P" - 1960‑63.
Ray also attended Middlebury College, Vermont, and earned his master's
degree in foreign languages. After his USMA tour, Ray attended the Command and
General Staff College at Fort
Leavenworth and from there back to Korea as a member of the Korean Military Advisory Group (KMAG), but this time
Gladys and the kids went along, a great family experience. From Korea back to
the U.S. for a tour on the Army Staff, OACSFOR, at the Pentagon. Ray and Gladys
became homeowners, the girls busied themselves with school and community
activities, and Mark formed a very energetic, loud, amateur rock band. Not many
people knew that Ray was a pretty good violinist in spite of having the biggest
hands in the class. He passed on his musical skills to his son Mark.
Ray left the Army staff for battalion command in Vietnam, 2nd Battalion,
5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Ray demonstrated the same leadership
characteristics that made him successful in Korea and was an outstanding
battalion commander. Ray next was Deputy Brigade Commander. After a year at the
Army War College, he returned to West Point, this time as Commander, 3rd
Regiment, USCC.
Ray then went to Fort Bragg to the Institute for Military Assistance
(IMA) at the JFK Special Warfare Center, where he was responsible for the
Army's Foreign Area Officer (FA0) program. Upon promotion to colonel, he
commanded the 5th Special Forces Group. Ray was the ideal man for this job. His
rugged physical stature, understanding of indigenous forces, knowledge of
foreign languages and proven leadership in command positions was exactly what
was needed. Next, back to the JFK Center as Deputy Commandant, responsible for
the FAO Program and all Special Forces Training as well. Ray retired from the
Army from the JFK Center in 1980, after 30 years of service.
Ray was a devoted and faithful husband and father. His children, Mark,
Lynne and Leslie, were the apple of his eye. Intellectual activity was balanced
with sports and outdoor and cultural activities.
After retirement, Ray and Gladys moved to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina,
just outside Charleston. Ray worked for General Business Services for one year
and then established his own business consulting firm, working with small
businesses in the Charleston area. Ray’s business was successful, and his
clients had complete confidence in his recommendations.
Ray died suddenly while playing tennis in a seniors tournament,
competititive to the end. Ray is survived by his wife Gladys; children Mark and
wife Leslie and son Ray; Lynne and
husband, Lieutenant Colonel Jay Hood, son Jason and daughter Katherine; and
Leslie and husband Davis Barnett and daughters Kristen and Brooke.
Ray may be gone but he will not be forgotten. Everyone who knew Ray
Maladowitz will remember him for his kindness, willingness to help his friends
and love for his family.
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USMA 1950