Former CO of Company C 5th Battalion 20th Special Forces RIARNG
Colonel (Retired) Robert Dolan, D1583L, died on 15 April 2016. He was a past President of Chapter 54 and a charter member of Chapter 48. Bob was born on 14 October 1933 in Boston, MA. His military career started when he joined the US Coast Guard in 1951. He was stationed at Pusan, Korea as a LORAN transmitting station operator. He was discharged in 1954. He joined the MA Army National Guard and was commissioned a 2LT in 1962. He joined the US Army Reserve and served in Company A, 11th SF Gp. In 1969, he was assigned as a Captain to Company D, 19th SF Gp RING. His following assignments were as B Team Cdr D/19; Cdr, C/5/20; S-3 and XO HHD, 6/20 SF Gp and Plans, Operations and Military Support Officer HQ, RIARNG. In 1981, Bob became a National Guard Bureau Tour Officer. He served as the NG Advisor to the Cdr, Fort Drum from 1981 to 1983. His was then assigned to the Pentagon DA DCSOPS, 1983-1985; DAIG, 1985-1987. His final assignment was as the NG Advisor to HQ, USSOC, McDill AFB, FL. He retired on 20 September 1990.
Bob earned a BS and a ME from the State College, Boston, MA. He taught in the school systems in Revere, MA from 1959 to 1975 and Dedham, MA from 1975 to 1980.
Some of his awards were the Korean Service Medal w/3 Engagement Stars, Meritorious Service Medal-3, Special Forces Tab, Pathfinder Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Army Staff General Staff Identification Badge, British Army Parachute Wings and the German Army Parachute Wings.
Bob is survived by his wife Judy and his six children from his previous marriage. Bob was a very humble guy who never sought personal recognition. His personal integrity, loyalty and patriotism were outstanding. There was no funeral or published obituary, per his wishes. He rests in grave 479, Section 76, Arlington National Cemetery.
