Obituary of Col Daniel W. Riordan II

Daniel W. Riordan II, Col USAF Ret., died November 11, 2012, Veteran's Day. Dan was born September 8, 1922 in Washington DC to Daniel Patrick and Helen Cahill Riordan. The second of five children, Dan grew up lending a hand in the family restaurant, Riordan's Desert Rose. Daniel excelled in school and was a standout on the McKinley Tech football team, winning regional honors and receiving many scholarships. The scholarships would have to wait as there was a war to win. Dan joined the Army Air Corp and so began a distinguished 32 year service to his country as an aviator and educator. In 1943 and 1944 Dan was leading flights of B-17s into France and Germany with the 8th AF. This included the infamous Schweinfurt ball-bearing plant raid forever known as "Black Thursday". After the war he would participate in the Berlin Airlift flying C-54s. With the inception of the USAF he was soon commanding bombers once more, B-50s to B-47s, to the first deployment of B-52s, maintaining 24/7 vigilance during the Cold War. On Jan. 17, 1957 Dan was a pilot of one of the B-52s that took off from Castle AFB and would land 45 hrs later at March AFB to complete the first non-stop jet powered flight around the world. He progressed to senior administrative responsibilities; first as Deputy Chief of Flying Safety and then chief of Weopons Saety for the Strategic Air Command..Finally,as the Professor of Aerospace Science and Commander of the AFROTC detachment at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.Thus, passing on to a new generation what it means to be an Officer in the USAF in service to his or her country. Dan's courage, professionalism and skill had earned the respect of his peers and the gratitude and recognition of our nation; most notably the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters,Bronze star and many campaign ribbons. Daniel embarked on this adventure with help; he married Marjorie Elaine Hogeland on May 3, 1944. Together they raised 5 sons and 3 daughters. While serving his country Dan earned his BS from the University of Omaha and a Master's in the Arts and International Affairs from George Washington University.He also completed advanced studies at the Air War College. After his military career Dan worked 17 years as Chief of Airport Operations at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. He made his home in Annapolis, MD. Dan and Marjorie divided their time between Annapolis and their seasonal home in Port Charlotte, Fl. In Florida Marjorie was a musician traveling the world with the popular Sunshine Strummers and Dan was their videographer. She was his constant and loving companion for 64yrs until her passing in 2008. Daniel was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie and beloved daughter Ann Marie, sister Patricia and brother Robert, sisters-in-law Margaret, Jean and Theresa, and brother-in-law Robert Milne. Those who remain include brothers John and Donald; daughters Elaine Marie [Robert Mulvogue] and Helen Victoria; sons Daniel William III, Timothy Charles, Barry Patrick, Michael Joseph and Christopher Kevin [Marguerita]; grandchildren Brendan and Meegan Mulvogue, Kevin Riordan and Nicole Smolter ; great grandchildren Claire and Zack Murphy. Services, with full military honors,begin at the Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery Feb.4, 2013 at 12:45