Col. William E Riley Jr.

Retired Marine Colonel William "Bill" E. Riley, Jr., he is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia Riley of Annapolis, his sister, Kathy Ward of Annapolis, his sons William Edward Riley III (Elizabeth Saldana) and John Patrick Riley (Patricia Ryan), both of Virginia, and his daughter Mary Alice Gehrdes (David Gehrdes) of Annapolis, his grandchildren Brian, Emily, Katie and Erin Gehrdes of Annapolis and Alice, Joe, Tim and Bridget Riley-Ryan and Faith Mangente Riley of Virginia. Mass of Christian Burial and Interment: Thursday, October 13, 2011. --Mass at 9 AM at the Memorial Chapel on base at Ft. Myer, 204 Lee Avenue, Ft. Myer, Va 22211. --Burial with Full Military Honors Beginning at 11 AM at Arlington National Cemetery (please arrive at the Administration Building at 10:30) In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ House of Catholic Diocese of Arlington, P.O. Box 1900, Merrifield, VA 22116-1900; the University of St. Thomas, Mail Dev, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105-1096 or the Marine Corp Heritage Foundation, 3800 Fettler Park Dr., #104, Dumfries, VA 22025 The LONGER story Retired Marine Colonel William E. Riley, Jr. died on July 25, 2011 at BayWoods of Annapolis, of natural causes. He was 81 years old. Born in Haiti as the son of a Marine and his wife, Riley followed his father around the world and into the United States Marine Corps. During a 31-year career that began with his graduation from St. Thomas College of St. Paul, MN, he served in the Korean War, Japan, the Vietnam War, and at Headquarters Marine Corps, and as the Fleet Marine Officer for the U.S. Navy's 6th Fleet. He is survived by his wife -- the former Patricia O'Leary of St. Paul -- his sister Kathy Ward of Annapolis, his three children and nine grandchildren. Riley was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on his graduation from St. Thomas in 1952. After attending the Basic School in Quantico, VA, he was ordered overseas and assigned to the Recoilless Rifle Platoon, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in South Korea. His unit's engagement included the battle for control of Vegas in March 1953. Among his comrades was a Korean racehorse purchased to carry the heavy ammunition used in the platoon's recoilless rifle. The mare was named Reckless and her service under fire brought notoriety to the mission of the unit and the Corps. Before departing for Korea, he met his future wife – Patty O'Leary -- at a party in Northern Virginia. Though they had attended neighboring colleges in Minnesota, it was mutual friends in the east who brought them together. They married in 1955 upon his return from service in Korea and Japan. In May 1962, he was part of a landing force that entered Thailand in response to the political crisis in Laos. During 1968 and 1969, Riley served in Vietnam as the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Among his comrades was Senator Jim Webb (D-Va). He survived the crash of his helicopter when enemy small arms fire hit the aircraft's fuel line. Riley led the battalion in battles against forces of the Army of North Vietnam in what was known as the Arizona area of South Vietnam. His decorations included: the Legion of Merit with Combat V, the Meritorious Service Medal; and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Upon the completion of his tour in Vietnam, Riley spent two years in the Office of Military Planning of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization, in Bangkok, Thailand. Accompanied to Thailand by his wife and children, Riley was a member of Bangkok's Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Upon his return from Thailand, Riley was assigned as Executive Officer of Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia. In 1978, he began a 2-year tour as the Fleet Marine Officer of the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet. Based in Gaeta, Italy, the 6th Fleet's flagship at the time was the cruiser USS Albany. Riley served on the staffs of three 6th Fleet Commanders -- Vice Admirals Harry Train II, James Watkins, and William Small. At the conclusion of his tour with the 6th Fleet, Riley returned to Washington and was assigned to the Pentagon. He retired from the Marine Corps in 1983 in a ceremony at Marine Barracks Washington, 8th and I, as the Barracks Battalion paraded and passed in review. While serving in the Marines, he earned a Masters in Business Administration from Marymount College. After his retirement he was awarded a Master of Arts for Philosophy from Catholic University. He also worked for Central Michigan University. In that position, he aided members of the armed services in obtaining degrees through the university's programs in the Washington area. The father of 3 and a devout Catholic, Riley volunteered as the Service Officer for American Legion Post 24 of Alexandria. In that role, he aided veterans in navigating Veterans Administration program requirements. He became expert in assisting veterans and veterans' spouses in obtaining dignified but inexpensive funeral services. He also volunteered for the homeless shelter operated by Blessed Sacrament Catholic Community of Alexandria where he and his family were parishioners for many years. Though in his early years he accompanied his father from post to post, Riley came to know Washington, DC, as his home. Living in the Chevy Chase neighborhood of the District, he attended Blessed Sacrament Parochial School, and St. John's College High School where he played basketball under coaching legend Joe Gallagher. He attended Georgetown University before transferring to St. Thomas. Active in local Alexandria Republican Party politics after his retirement, he served as captain of the Minnie Howard precinct for several years. On leaving Alexandria he and his wife became residents of Greenspring Village, in Springfield, and later of Baywoods of Annapolis. With his children and grandchildren, he frequently vacationed in Cocoa Beach, Florida and at the DisneyWorld resort in Orlando as a member of the Disney Vacation Club.