DANIEL W. RIORDAN

DANIEL W. RIORDAN, II.  Col. USAF (Ret.)  
Died November 11, 2012, Veteran's Day. Dan was born September 8, 1922 in Washington DC to Daniel Patrick and Helen Cahill Riordan. The second of five children, Dan grew up lending a hand in the family restaurant, Riordan's Desert Rose. Daniel excelled in school and was a standout on the McKinley Tech football team, winning regional honors and receiving many scholarships. The scholarships would have to wait as there was a war to win. Dan joined the Army Air Corp and so began a distinguished 32 year service to his country as an aviator and educator. In 1943 and 1944 Dan was leading flights of B-17s into France and Germany with the 8th AF. This included the infamous Schweinfurt ball-bearing plant raid forever known as "Black Thursday". After the war he would participate in the Berlin Airlift flying C-54s. With the inception of the USAF he was soon commanding bombers once more, B-50s to B-47s, to the first deployment of B-52s, maintaining 24/7 vigilance during the Cold War.By now Dan's courage, professionalism and skill had earned the respect of his peers and the gratitude and recognition of our nation; most notably the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters,Bronze star and many campaign ribbons. Daniel embarked on this adventure with help; he married Marjorie Elaine Hogeland on May 3, 1944. Together they raised five sons and three daughters. While serving his country Dan earned his BS from the University of Omaha and a Master's in the Arts and International Affairs from George Washington University.After his military career Dan worked 17 years as Chief of Airport Operations at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. He made his home in Annapolis, MD.Dan and Marjorie divided their time between Annapolis and their seasonal home in Port Charlotte, Fl. In Florida Marjorie was a musician traveling the world with the popular Sunshine Strummers and Dan was their videographer. She was his constant and loving companion for 64 years until her passing in 2008. Daniel was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie and beloved daughter Ann Marie, sister Patricia and brother Robert, sisters-in-law Margaret,Theresa and Jean,and brother-in-law Robert Milne.Those who remain include brothers John and Donald; daughters Elaine Marie [Robert Mulvogue] and Helen Victoria; sons Daniel William III, Timothy Charles, Barry Patrick, Michael Joseph and Christopher Kevin [Marguerita]; grandchildren Brendan and Meegan Mulvogue, Kevin Riordan and Nicole Smolter; great-grandchildren Claire and Zack Murphy. Services, with full military honors,begin at the Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery February4, 2013 at 12:45 p.m.