ROGER DONLON

ROGER HUGH CHARLES DONLON Roger Hugh Charles Donlon, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and Medal of Honor Recipient, lost his 12-year battle with Agent Orange Parkinson's disease and died Thursday, January 25, 2024 Roger was the eighth of 10 children born to Paul A. and Marion (Howard) Donlon of Saugerties, N.Y. Both his parents preceded him in death. In addition to his parents, his sisters, Marion, Mary Bernadette, Adrienne and Barbara (Huff), along with brothers, Joseph, Michael and Gerard also preceded him in death. Two other brothers, Paul A. Jr. of Saugerties, N.Y. and Jack in Panama City, Fla., survive him. Graduating from Saugerties High School in 1952, Roger enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1953. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point for two years before leaving to achieve his dream of serving as an Infantry Officer through Officer Candidate School. He earned his BA from University of Nebraska at Omaha, MS from Campbell University in North Carolina and had an Honorary Master of Military Arts and Sciences from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. Roger served for a total of 33 years in his specialties as an Infantry, Special Forces and Foreign Area Officer before retiring in 1988 in Leavenworth. On July 6, 1964, then Captain Donlon and his Special Forces Team A-726, along with 60 Chinese Nungs, defended Camp Nam Dong, Vietnam when they were attacked by a force of 900 enemy troops. It was the first battle of the Vietnam War where the Regular North Vietnamese Army joined forces with the Viet Cong from the south to try to overrun an American Outpost. For his actions at Nam Dong, Roger became the first American Soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam. In November of 1965 while on a flight to Fort Benning, Ga., Roger sat next to a young widow whose husband had been killed in action in Vietnam. Neither was aware that this was the beginning of a love affair that would last to infinity and beyond. Three years later Roger married Norma Shinno Irving on November 9, 1968. His surviving family are Linda Danninger (Paul) (daughter with his first wife who preceded him in death); his wife of 55 years, Norma; three sons, Damian, Jason (Lori) and Derek. His youngest son, Justin also preceded him in death. In addition, there are six grandchildren, Alicia Robbins, Justine (and Adam Donlon-Jeschke) Griffin Danninger, Elise, Jordan and Aurelia Donlon; and one very special great-granddaughter, Willow Faye Donlon-Campbell; 17 nieces and nephews; 21 grandnieces and -nephews; and five great-grandnieces and -nephews. Roger achieved many awards, honors, and accolades during his lifetime, but he considered his two reconciliation projects in Vietnam as his contribution to "Heal the wounds of war." Both he, and his wife, Norma, believed that "Those who have invested the most of themselves in war should be the first to reach out in peace." Roger Donlon will be remembered as a devoted family man, faithful to God and his church, a patriot to the core and always a friend and mentor to those with whom he came in contact. Visitation beginning with praying the rosary led by Matt Belford will be from 5 to 8 p.m., Monday, January 29, 2024, at R.L. Leintz Funeral Home, 4701 10th Ave., Leavenworth. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 306 North Broadway, Leavenworth. A Celebration of Life will be April 10, 2024, beginning at 1300 hours at Frontier Conference Center, 350 Biddle Avenue, Fort Leavenworth. Burial service to follow at Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery. In lieu of cards or flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Gary Sinise Foundation.