Dennis Mark Nagy

DENNIS M. NAGY

Passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 5, 2023 (age 80) from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) a neurological disorder. Dennis was born on May 22, 1943 in Indiana, Pennsylvania to Catherine and Dan Nagy. Dennis spent the majority of his childhood years in Pennsylvania, graduating in 1961 as salutatorian of his high school class in Clearfield, PA. Only a few short weeks later Dennis left to attend the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado as a member of the class of ’65. Continuing his academic success, Dennis finished in the top 10% of his class at the USAFA and was selected to attend Georgetown University to work on a Master’s Degree.

Prior to leaving Colorado Springs Dennis wed his first wife, Colleen Ardary. They were high school sweethearts meeting when assigned to the same home room during their sophomore year. After spending a year in Washington, DC., Dennis and Colleen departed for Del Rio, TX and flight school, then on to Beale Air Force Base in California where Dennis flew tanker aircraft. Leaving the United States Air Force in 1969, Dennis started a new career as an intelligence analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Washington, DC.

Dennis rose rapidly at DIA. IN 1981 Dennis personally directed the development of the first issue of Soviet Military Power which was updated and published annually for almost a decade. In later years Dennis would say this was this was his proudest accomplishment as an analyst. By 1982, Dennis was selected as a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES), the youngest to hold that rank at the time he was selected. Along with that came more leadership responsibilities: Dennis served as the Director of Estimates and the Director for Research along with associated positions in the fiscal aspects of intelligence.

In 1989, Dennis married his second wife, Gaetana M. Saletta, (Tana), Lt. Col, USAF. Shortly afterwards Dennis was selected as Executive

Director for DIA elevating him to DIA’s command element and making him the ranking civilian at DIA. Only a few short years later he was selected as the Deputy Director for DIA. Dennis was appointed the Acting Director of DIA from September through November of 1991: the first civilian ever placed in that position. As Acting Director, he provided continuity during a critical time when decrements against Agency resources caused reconsideration of many managerial issues and review of threat priorities throughout the Defense Intelligence Community.

Dennis retired from government as an SES-6, the civilian equivalent of a three-star general. He continued to work within the intelligence community until retiring permanently and moving to South Carolina. In early 2020, he was tentatively diagnosed with PSP and returned to Northern Virginia to be closer to his children.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Gaetana M. Saletta, his first wife, Colleen Ardary and their four children and four grandchildren: Mark Nagy (Aubrey and Addison); Kimberly Perez (Ashley and Abigail); Bethany Nagy; Matthew Nagy and his wife, Theresa and his sister, Margaret Kanski.

Dennis felt strongly about finding better answers to treating and hopefully someday curing PSP. To that end he donated his brain to science. In lieu of flowers, memorial/tribute contributions may be made to CUREPSP. info@curepsp.org

Quantico National Cemetery does not permit a lot of flowers, so donations would greatly be appreciated.

There will be a brief viewing on Monday, August 14, 2023 at 11:30 am at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple St., Vienna, VA, .22180 followed by departure to Quantico National Cemetery with funeral services scheduled for 1:30