Colonel Patrick “Grams” Gramuglia graduated from San Diego State University in 1987 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant through the Platoon Leaders Class in September 1987. He completed flight school and was designated a Naval Aviator in March 1990.
In April 1990, he reported to Marine Medium Helicopter Training Squadron 301 at MCAS Tustin, California for Replacement Aircrew Training in the CH-46E “Sea Knight.” Upon completion of initial training in the CH-46E, he reported to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166, Marine Aircraft Group 16. While there, he served as Flight Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Weapons and Tactics Instructor. During this period he deployed with the 13th and 15th Marine Expeditionary Units supporting Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.
In February 1995, Colonel Gramuglia reported to 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California for duty as a Forward Air Controller and Air Officer. He again attended Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course graduating on this occasion as a Forward Air Control student in April 1995. Upon completion of his ground tour, Colonel Gramuglia was assigned to Naval Air Training Command, Training Squadron 28, Corpus Christi, Texas. He completed the Aviation Safety Officer Course during his tenure in VT-28 and served as Flight Officer, Safety Officer, and subsequently the Operations Officer. He was recognized as the VT-28 and Training Air Wing 4 Instructor Pilot of the Year for 1997.
In August 1998, Colonel Gramuglia reported to HMM-165 at MCAS El Toro, California. While at HMM-165 he served as Operations Officer, Director of Safety and Standardization, and Aircraft Maintenance Officer. He deployed with HMM-165 as part of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and participated in Operation Stabilise following civil unrest in East Timor. After his HMM-165 posting, Colonel Gramuglia joined the 1st Marine Division as the Deputy Division Air Officer in May 2001, and in January 2003 he deployed with the Division to Iraq for combat operations during the initial attack and subsequent stability operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Upon redeployment from OIF I, Colonel Gramuglia was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 39 and assumed command of Headquarters Squadron 39 in December 2003. During this time he deployed a second time to Iraq as an Individual Augment to MAG-16. Colonel Gramuglia assumed command of HMM-268 in May 2005, subsequently deploying to Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07 as the primary Casualty Evacuation Squadron for the “Sunni Triangle.” After relinquishing command in December 2006 he was assigned to 3d Marine Aircraft Wing as the G-3 Future Operations Officer. In August 2007 he reported to RAND Corporation in Santa Monica, California where he served as a Commandant’s Executive Fellow for his Top Level School assignment. Upon completion of his Executive Fellowship, he reported to Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific in July 2008 where he served as Director of Operations and Training and Executive Officer. He reported to 3d Marine Aircraft Wing in January 2011.
Colonel Gramuglia has over 4,800 mishap-free flight hours and his personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with one Gold Star, a Single Mission Air Medal, Air Medal with Numeral “7”, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three Gold Stars, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with one Gold Star.