Honoring Our Own Tyrone Pannell '60
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On Wednesday, March 29th, 2023, we honored our own Tyrone Pannell '60. We chose to honor 2nd Lieutenant Pannell on Vietnam Veteran's Day- the 50th Anniversary of the official withdrawal of American combat forces from Vietnam.
Loughlin alumni, St. Augustine Lancers, Bishop McDonnell alumnae, friends and family gathered in the Loughlin Courtyard for the event. Many Vietnam Veterans and other Veterans joined us. We unveiled a portrait from Joseph Flaherty, Class of 1962, which will be displayed by the Ed Bowes '60 Track Room at Loughlin.
Vietnam Veterans Day commemorates the hardships suffered and sacrifices made by nine million Americans during the Vietnam War. However, the holiday also honors their families who supported them before and after the war. We were honored that Tyrone's widow, Ms. Marlene Pannell, and daughter, Tracy, were with us. Other members of the Pannell family and Amelia Bowes also attended. Amelia is the widow of beloved Loughlin track coach and alum Ed Bowes '60.
Colonel Terance Holliday, the former Commissioner of the NYC Mayors' Office of Veterans Affairs, was among our honored guests. John Klemm '65, a proud Loughlin alum, Marine, and Vietnam Veteran, also spoke at the event. Andrew McEvoy, a bagpiper with the NYPD Band, joined Master Sargeant Quinlan and Vincent Laporta, Associate Marine Corps League, Brooklyn Chapter. Loughlin President, Brother Dennis Cronin, FSC, made closing remarks, and the event was concluded with the Marine Corps Hymn and God Bless America.
About Tyrone Pannell
Tyrone Pannell was one of the great track athletes of his time. He graduated from Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in 1960. He was inducted into the inaugural St. James/Bishop Loughlin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991 as a CHSAA City Champion high jumper and hurdler. He graduated from Manhattan College in 1964, earning a degree in Political Science. Tyrone was an excellent student, a gifted athlete, and a young man respected and admired by everyone he interacted with.
In 1964, he entered the United States Marine Corps, and upon completion of Officer Candidate School (OCS) he earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He married Marlene Guy, and they were blessed with a daughter, Tracy, in 1965.
Within a few months, Tyrone received his orders for Vietnam. He served as Platoon Leader with Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. On November 30, 1965, Lieutenant Pannell was tragically killed by a mine while on patrol at the age of 24. It has been said, he was the first African American Junior Marine Officer killed in action in Vietnam.
