Awarded Two Silver and Two Bronze Stars Colonel Gerald F. Dillon, Retired, of Narragansett Dies
Monday, March 06, 2023
Colonel Gerald F. Dillon, USA (Ret.), of Narragansett, RI and Satellite Beach, FL, died March 2, 2023 after a courageous and valiant battle with leukemia.
Born in Providence, he was the son of the late James J. and Kathleen M. (Cournoyer) Dillon.
Col. (Ret.) Dillon is survived by his son Ryan and his wife Cristina Lanaro, and their daughters, Zoe and Eva; his daughter Kelly and her husband Stephen Fitzpatrick, and their daughters Kylie and Ireland; his brother Matt (James), sisters Kato (Brennan), Maggi (Duncan), and Mary Patricia; his former wife Judy Mulligan; many nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren and friends, all of whom loved him dearly.
A true Rhode Island native, Gerry graduated from La Salle Academy in 1964 and Providence College in 1968. He also received a Masters Degree from Providence College in 1974 and conducted doctoral studies at Salve Regina University.
He was an Army Airborne-Ranger Infantryman with more than 30 years of active military service. He was proud to have spent his entire military career with troops and never a day in Washington, DC. He commanded three Infantry Companies, two Infantry Battalions (one of them a Ranger Battalion) and two Infantry Brigades. He was an Infantry Division Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff of a multinational force. He served in Vietnam and was awarded two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars with Valor, and the Purple Heart.
After his active military service, he taught at the U.S. Naval War College and then moved to Rome, Italy, where he was the Director of Operations for the Multinational Forces and Observers which monitors the peace accord between Egypt and Israel.
After retirement, he continued civilian service as an advocate for veterans and fellow survivors. He was an energetic leader in the alumni communities of La Salle Academy and Providence College, and mentored Providence College ROTC cadets. He remained close with his fellow Vietnam brethren from Charlie Co 2nd/502 and never missed his annual PC Cape Cod golf outing where he supplied the biscotti and limoncello.
In 2018, he received the Personal Achievement Award from the Providence College National Alumni Association and he will be inducted into the La Salle Academy Hall of Fame this fall. He also received the National Infantry Association's Primicerius award of the Order of St. Maurice for exemplary service as an infantryman.
Things he always appreciated in life were simple manners, a firm handshake, loyalty, hard work, a good joke (clean or not), sharing stories and raising a glass with family and friends. Beyond his brilliant military career, Dad often said that his greatest legacy is his children and grandchildren. His love for family was absolute.
In Dad's words, he was given the green light from the Big Ranger in the Sky and has moved on to the Ranger Objective.
Visitation will be held at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, March 10, 5-7 p.m., 88 Columbia St., Wakefield. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius V Church, March 11, at 9 a.m., 240 Eaton St., Providence, immediately followed by services with full military honors at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 11 a.m., 301 S County Trail, Exeter. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Col. Gerald F. Dillon Providence College ROTC Endowment Fund to assist cadets as they enter active duty service. (Go to givetopc.org, select option “other” and write “Col Dillon Fund” or contact Andrea Krupp at 401.865.2451).
