Gerald W. Dunne
July 17, 1941 ~ November 1, 2015
Captain Gerald W. Dunne
U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Husband of Susan Costello Dunne, died at home on Sunday, November 1, 2015. He was born in Chicago, Illinois July 17, 1941, son of the late Robert and Adeline Dunne both also of Chicago. Jerry attended Mount Carmel High School in Chicago and the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. After graduation from hte Naval Academy in 1964, his initial tours involved Vietnam operations aboard the USS Topeka, USS Collett, and the USS Frank E. Evans. In 1969 Dunne was aboard the USS Evans when it collided with HMAS Melbourn, an Australian air craft carrier, in the South China Sea. He lost 74 shipmates from the sunken bow section of the ship, and as the senior surviving officer, at the age 27, Dunne assumed command. He later wrote that he "learned first hand of the courage and resourcefulness of our officers and sailors as we struggled to tend to our injured and save the after half of the ship." For his "skill and devotion to duty" in helping to save the lives of his shipmates, Dunne was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal.
In 1971 Dunne went back to sea for the staff tour, followed by a tour as the XO of USS Barbey. In 1979, he reported to USS Davis as its commanding officer. Shore tours included Navy Post Grad School (MS Ops Research,) National War College, and staff tours in the Pentagon. Capt. Dunne served as the Executive Assistant to the Under SECNAV and Executive Secretary of the Defense Policy Board. Capt. Dunne's last command was CO of Naval Station Long Beach, watching over 47 ships and 17, 000 sailors. Dunne retired as a Captain in 1992 with a Defense Superior Service and two Legion of Merit medals. After retirement from the Navy, Dunne joined the Logistics Management Institute as a consultant and led numerous projects for the Navy League, the Frank E. Evans Association , and Army Navy Country Club.
Jerry is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years Susan Dunne; six brothers and sisters, his beloved daughters, Julie Dunne of Washington, DC, Jennifer Coleman (Craig Coleman) of Leesburg, VA, Janine Dunne Pingle (Andrew Pingle) of Washington, DC, Colleen Lamond (Walker Lamond) of Doha, Qatar and six grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to Capt. Dunne's Life Celebration at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd., Vienna, VA on Thursday, November 5 from
6-8 PM.
A funeral mass for Capt. Gerald William Dunne will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd., Vienna, VA on Friday, November 6 at 11:30 AM
Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Husband of Susan Costello Dunne, died at home on Sunday, November 1, 2015. He was born in Chicago, Illinois July 17, 1941, son of the late Robert and Adeline Dunne both also of Chicago. Jerry attended Mount Carmel High School in Chicago and the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. After graduation from hte Naval Academy in 1964, his initial tours involved Vietnam operations aboard the USS Topeka, USS Collett, and the USS Frank E. Evans. In 1969 Dunne was aboard the USS Evans when it collided with HMAS Melbourn, an Australian air craft carrier, in the South China Sea. He lost 74 shipmates from the sunken bow section of the ship, and as the senior surviving officer, at the age 27, Dunne assumed command. He later wrote that he "learned first hand of the courage and resourcefulness of our officers and sailors as we struggled to tend to our injured and save the after half of the ship." For his "skill and devotion to duty" in helping to save the lives of his shipmates, Dunne was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal.
In 1971 Dunne went back to sea for the staff tour, followed by a tour as the XO of USS Barbey. In 1979, he reported to USS Davis as its commanding officer. Shore tours included Navy Post Grad School (MS Ops Research,) National War College, and staff tours in the Pentagon. Capt. Dunne served as the Executive Assistant to the Under SECNAV and Executive Secretary of the Defense Policy Board. Capt. Dunne's last command was CO of Naval Station Long Beach, watching over 47 ships and 17, 000 sailors. Dunne retired as a Captain in 1992 with a Defense Superior Service and two Legion of Merit medals. After retirement from the Navy, Dunne joined the Logistics Management Institute as a consultant and led numerous projects for the Navy League, the Frank E. Evans Association , and Army Navy Country Club.
Jerry is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years Susan Dunne; six brothers and sisters, his beloved daughters, Julie Dunne of Washington, DC, Jennifer Coleman (Craig Coleman) of Leesburg, VA, Janine Dunne Pingle (Andrew Pingle) of Washington, DC, Colleen Lamond (Walker Lamond) of Doha, Qatar and six grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to Capt. Dunne's Life Celebration at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd., Vienna, VA on Thursday, November 5 from
6-8 PM.
A funeral mass for Capt. Gerald William Dunne will be held at St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Rd., Vienna, VA on Friday, November 6 at 11:30 AM
Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project
Funeral Home:
Money & King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA
US 22180
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Susan and family, I am very sad to learn of the untimely death of Gerry. He was a great shipmate and an extremely talented and hard working officer. We served together in Vietnam combat and also in San Diego under RADM Kern. May God bless the Dunne family with the strength to endure the sorrow of his loss. Captain Don Pauly USN Ret.
Susan, Peter Woods told me of your loss. Please accept Peters condolences as well as mine. Peter ” does not do computers “. Fred Morelli
I do have fond memories of Jerry in Boy Scout troop 725 at St. Ailbe’s Church. May he rest in peace.
Dear Dunne Family, I send my condolences to your family at this time of loss. I have the fondest memories of Jerry from our days at St. Ailbe’s in Chicago, Illinois. I am very proud to have known Jerry and been his friend. God Bless!
Sue & Family: Joyce and I send our sincere condolences to you, your daughters, their spouses and families. It’s hard to believe that our fond memories of Jerry extend beyond a half century. Key among the memories are his devotion to his family, love of the Navy, an ever present, dry sense of humor, an extensive list of close friends and associates and a wonderful, loyal classmate. Rest your oars, sailor, rest in peace.
Captain Dunne was my second C.O. on board USS Davis. He was strictly “by the book”, but unlike some C.Os, the book applied both ways. In my case, when he felt that I had not been treated correctly by my junior officer detailer, he absolutely went to the mat for me (formal Flag Officer review, complaint to the Naval Inspector General)to insure I got a fair shake – and he succeeded. I was extremely lucky during my time on active duty. All of my bosses were terrific. Captain Dunne was one of them. He will always have my gratitude and my respect.
Dear Mrs. Dunne, Julie, Jenny, Janine, and Colleen;
My heart goes out to all of you. When growing up, I was so happy to spend so much time with your family. I was honored to have witnessed parents who were so devoted and love by each other that I knew that is what I wanted in my marriage, a best friend. I also saw how much his daughters loved and respected their loving dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God bless you all.
With all my love,
Bonnie
A man could wish for no better shipmate than Gerry Dunne! Serving with him on USS COLLETT was an honor I shall never forget.
Sue:Regret your loss and only knew of your lovely family through our daughters college friendship at JMU, but meeting Julie and seeing my daughter. Susan’ s affection told more than enough to appreciate his fellow Navy career and pride and love in family . Please share our concern and support with Julie and your family. Jerry, CD-R, USN (Ret)
Dear Dunne family,
I salute Gerry for everything he was. A legend among men in my mind.
John Doherty, son of Jack Doherty
Dear Dunne Family, Captain Dunne and you are in our thoughts and in our prayers at this time. God Bless and Keep You. Steve and Joan Kisska
He was my first sea going CO. Rest in peace captain.
Loving husband, super dad, and my friend for over sixty years. A fearless warrior, truly a man for all seasons. He will be missed.
“Dogs”
We will miss you, Shipmate. May the seas be always smooth and the breeze lightly touch your face.
Dear Sue and Family, we are so sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. He was a great friend of my parents and our families. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Elise and Dan Humphrey and family
“Fair Winds and Following Seas” Shipmate. Our 74 have welcomed you home. Your family is in our prayers.
Roy “Pete” Peters
Director Survivor Relations
USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754)
I just recently learned of Capt. Dunne’s passing from the USS Davis newsletter. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. My husband (NCC Floyd Jones) served with him and greatly respected him, and I remember him well from my time as Davis ombudsman. May your memories of him sustain you as you cope with your loss.
My name is Charles Muse. I am now 78 years young. I served with Mr. Dunne when he was a young LTJG. I was a Radioman 2nd class aboard the USS Topeka CLG8 in the Tonkin Gulf. I served as A radio watch supervisor and was around him daily. He was very respectfully to us enlisted young man. He was deliberate and sure and had the respect of all. I don’t remember many, but I remember Mr. Dunne.