Craig Alderman, Jr.
July 22, 1930 ~ May 3, 2022
Craig Alderman, Jr., of Leesburg, VA, passed away on May 3, 2022. He was born in 1930 in Ft. Benning, Georgia. In his younger years his family moved frequently for his father’s military career and so he was pleased to attend high school, as a boarding student, at St. Andrew’s School in Middleton, DE. He graduated from United States Military Academy in 1952 with a degree in Engineering. Other education included a Master’s in Political Science from Auburn University, Air War College, and the Royal Armoured Corps School of Tank Technology in England. It was during his time in England, that he met and subsequently married Ronnie Goodlet, an Australian who was working in London. They enjoyed 42 years of marriage until her death in 1999.
As a proud West Point graduate, Craig lived the Cadet motto “Duty, Honor, Country”. He dedicated five decades to working in the national defense and intelligence arena.
He had combat experience in the Korean War and Vietnam. In addition, he commanded a Tank Company in the United States and Tank Battalion in Germany; was an exchange officer with British Army; served as a staff officer in the Pentagon on Army Staff and Joint Staff; was a member of the US Delegation to Mutual & Balanced Force Reduction Negotiations in Vienna, Austria; and had a final assignment in Seoul, Korea. He retired as a Colonel.
He then worked as an International Marketing Manager for the Military Systems Division of Baird Corporation. Following this he joined the Reagan Administration as a Presidential Appointee in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. His first role was as the Director for Emergency Planning and then as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy until he retired (again) in 1993. After September 11th he was enticed back to serve as a Senior Consultant to a defense organization focusing on political-military affairs, defense and national security policies, intelligence, and interagency relations. He retired (a third time!) from this in 2006.
During his long career he received numerous awards and decorations including the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Selective Service System Exceptional Service Award, and Republic of Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order.
During his last employment he was very fortunate to meet and fall in love with Joyce Shealy. They were married in 2005 and were deeply dedicated to, and appreciative of, each other.
This last chapter allowed him more time to focus on things he treasured. He enjoyed travel overseas, to more local inns in the Mid-Atlantic region, and to visit family. He appreciated being able to connect with the grandchildren and cheer them on in their various pursuits. He was always athletic, beginning when he was the captain of the St. Andrew’s crew team and they won the national championship for four-oared shells. He continued to enjoy running, biking, hiking, cycling and snow skiing well into his eighties. He genuinely loved being outdoors and especially in the country even for a drive, visit, hike, or picnic. He loved poetry – to read it and to write it. His family appreciated receiving his poems on special occasions. A recent highlight was having his great-granddaughter read poetry to him this past Easter.
Craig is survived by his wife, Joyce Shealy; children Craig Alderman, his wife Audrey; Michelle Moyer, her husband Steve; grandchildren Danielle, Alan, Colin, Valerie, and Margo; and great granddaughter Vera May. He was predeceased by his wife, Ronnie Alderman.
Funeral services will be held at the Old Post Chapel on Tuesday, September 19, 2022, at 9:00 am. Burial with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery will immediately follow.
If desired, charitable contributions in Craig’s memory may be made to St. Andrew’s School Saints Fund or the Wounded Warrior Project.
St. Andrew’s School
350 Noxontown Road,
Middletown, DE 19709
www.standrews-de.org/giving/give
Wounded Warrior Project
P.O. Box 758517
Topeka, KS 66675
www.woundedwarriorproject.org
As a proud West Point graduate, Craig lived the Cadet motto “Duty, Honor, Country”. He dedicated five decades to working in the national defense and intelligence arena.
He had combat experience in the Korean War and Vietnam. In addition, he commanded a Tank Company in the United States and Tank Battalion in Germany; was an exchange officer with British Army; served as a staff officer in the Pentagon on Army Staff and Joint Staff; was a member of the US Delegation to Mutual & Balanced Force Reduction Negotiations in Vienna, Austria; and had a final assignment in Seoul, Korea. He retired as a Colonel.
He then worked as an International Marketing Manager for the Military Systems Division of Baird Corporation. Following this he joined the Reagan Administration as a Presidential Appointee in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. His first role was as the Director for Emergency Planning and then as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy until he retired (again) in 1993. After September 11th he was enticed back to serve as a Senior Consultant to a defense organization focusing on political-military affairs, defense and national security policies, intelligence, and interagency relations. He retired (a third time!) from this in 2006.
During his long career he received numerous awards and decorations including the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, Department of Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Selective Service System Exceptional Service Award, and Republic of Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order.
During his last employment he was very fortunate to meet and fall in love with Joyce Shealy. They were married in 2005 and were deeply dedicated to, and appreciative of, each other.
This last chapter allowed him more time to focus on things he treasured. He enjoyed travel overseas, to more local inns in the Mid-Atlantic region, and to visit family. He appreciated being able to connect with the grandchildren and cheer them on in their various pursuits. He was always athletic, beginning when he was the captain of the St. Andrew’s crew team and they won the national championship for four-oared shells. He continued to enjoy running, biking, hiking, cycling and snow skiing well into his eighties. He genuinely loved being outdoors and especially in the country even for a drive, visit, hike, or picnic. He loved poetry – to read it and to write it. His family appreciated receiving his poems on special occasions. A recent highlight was having his great-granddaughter read poetry to him this past Easter.
Craig is survived by his wife, Joyce Shealy; children Craig Alderman, his wife Audrey; Michelle Moyer, her husband Steve; grandchildren Danielle, Alan, Colin, Valerie, and Margo; and great granddaughter Vera May. He was predeceased by his wife, Ronnie Alderman.
Funeral services will be held at the Old Post Chapel on Tuesday, September 19, 2022, at 9:00 am. Burial with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery will immediately follow.
If desired, charitable contributions in Craig’s memory may be made to St. Andrew’s School Saints Fund or the Wounded Warrior Project.
St. Andrew’s School
350 Noxontown Road,
Middletown, DE 19709
www.standrews-de.org/giving/give
Wounded Warrior Project
P.O. Box 758517
Topeka, KS 66675
www.woundedwarriorproject.org
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