JOSEPH M. DWYER

JOSEPH DWYER Obituary

Col. JOSEPH M. DWYER, USMC (Ret.)
Of Bristow, VA, died November 1, 2015 at Fairfax Hospital. Born December 29, 1940 in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of the late Joseph E. Dwyer and Martha C. Dwyer. He served in the Marine Corps for twenty-six years serving two tours in Vietnam where he received two Bronze Stars for Valor and the Purple Heart. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the Legion of Merit medal for his "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements". Following his career as a Marine he worked for a private security firm, a firm dedicated to providing jobs for the mentally disabled, and finally as a university professor and advisor. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carol J. Dwyer; son, Jason Dwyer; daughter, Michelle Warren; grandchildren, Logan Dwyer, Karlyn Austin-Taylor, Keri Austin, MacKenzie Austin and Cpl. Tyler Austin (USMC); and brother, Charles E. Dwyer. A "Celebration of Life" service will be held Friday, November 13, 2015, 4 p.m. at Baker Post Funeral Home in Manassas, VA. Family will be receiving visitors from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. He is being laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a future date yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation in his name to the Semper Fi Fund, Wounded Warriors, Disabled American Veterans, etc. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Loving Husband, Father, Brother and Grandfather.

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Published by The Washington Post on Nov. 8, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH DWYER

9 Entries

Tom Couillard

November 2, 2024

Tom Couillard

November 2, 2022

I remember with great pride that I served under Capt. Dwyer with G 2/4 from May 1968 to February 1969. He was an excellent officer of Marines and well-respected by all. I had a chance to talk to him under relaxed circumstances a couple of times. One was somewhere in the NW corner Vietnam's DMZ. It was monsoon season and we were humping the rugged mountains in that part of the country. I was filling sandbags for him and he was sitting atop his bunker taking care of Captain's business. I didn't enjoy filling sandbags for me much less for anyone else. But we talked and he mentioned he had to pay for his clothes and food out of his paycheck. That's not right, I thought. He had to pay to fight the war! Here I was getting to do that for free (or so I thought, anyhow). :) It was a nice conversation and I got to see another side of him. A second time was when I was ordered up to his bunker. It was to give me info about my impending rotation home. We were on a mountain firebase and scheduled to hump a godawful mountain we had humped a few months earlier. Something like "Hill" 1272. It was a brutal climb. He joked that if I extended my tour I could climb that mountain again with the company. I respectfully declined. He laughed. And finally, I want to thank him for recommending me for what is now called the Marine Corps Commendation Medal with a Combat "V." It's always nice to get a pat on the back from your company commander. It was much appreciated by me! Also know that I think of Captain Dwyer often and appreciate his leadership that saw me and Golf Company through 11 months of combat in Vietnam. God bless you all.
~Tom Couillard / Weapons Plt., 60mm mortars

Ken Keidel

November 8, 2015

May you rest in peace Colonel Dwyer. I remember you as our company commander of Golf 2/4 in Vietnam 1969. You were a well respected, fair-handed leader of your Marines. Condolences and prayers to your family. Semper Fidelis.

David Baker

November 8, 2015

R.I.P. Col. Dwyer Sir. It was an Honor to have served under your Command in 1968 w/G Go. 2/4 My Deepest Sympathy to your Family. The World losses a Great Leader, but Heaven Gains One.

Michael Castle

November 8, 2015

Rest in Peace Colonel Dwyer I was proud to server under you in 1968 and 1969 with Golf Company 2nd Bn 4th Marines. To the family and friends I wish you my condolences.

Tom Couillard, Weapons Plt., 60mm mortars, summer of 1968

Tom Couillard

November 8, 2015

Rest in peace Col. Dwyer. He was my company commander with Golf 2/4, 3rd Marine Division in the field, Vietnam, for most of my 11-month "tour," which ended in February 1969. He was an outstanding leader of Marines and respected by all. Sometime in the summer of 1969 we bumped into each other in a gym at Quantico. It took a moment for me to recognize him because he no longer had the mustache that he wore in the bush in Vietnam. He remembered me and we talked a short time about RVN and what we were doing that summer of 1969. Those were tough times in 1968 and early 1969, and I appreciate to this day his courage and leadership. I have thought of him often over the years, and I will continue to keep him in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace, Col. Dwyer. Semper Fidelis!

Lori Schulz

November 8, 2015

Rest in Peace Joe. You will truly be missed by everyone. I am so glad that I was able to know you and share in a lot of great laughs and smiles with you and your family.

November 8, 2015

Rest in Peace Colonel Joe Dwyer. I want to thank God for you for the time I knew you.

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