Senate Resolution No. 2540

BY: Senator HINCHEY

MOURNING the death of Colonel Roger H.C. Donlon,
distinguished citizen, meritorious veteran and
devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose military service and civic
endeavor served to enhance the quality of life in their communities; and

WHEREAS, Roger H.C. Donlon of Saugerties, New York, died on
Thursday, January 25th, 2024, five days short of his 90th Birthday; and

WHEREAS, Born on January 30, 1934, in Saugerties, New York, Roger
H.C. Donlon was the Eighth of ten children of the late Paul A. and
Marion (Howard) Donlon; and

WHEREAS, Roger H.C. Donlon, a longtime member of American Legion
Post 172 in Saugerties, is mourned by the town and village, who remain
inspired by his life and legacy; he'll always be remembered through the
dedication of the Saugerties Town Hall and the auditorium above Village
Hall now bearing his name; and

WHEREAS, At the age of 19, Roger H.C. Donlon enlisted in the Air
Force and in 1955, he was admitted into the United States Military
Academy in West Point, New York; but dropped out after two years; and

WHEREAS, After working in the private sector for 10 months, Roger
H.C. Donlon decided to join the army, graduating from Officer Candidate
School as a second lieutenant at Fort Moore, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, In 1963, Roger H.C. Donlon became a Green Beret after
training at Fort Liberty, North Carolina and would spend his entire 33
year-career in the Army; and

WHEREAS, For his courageous service to his country, Roger H.C.
Donlon was awarded the first medal of honor given during the Vietnam War
on December 5th, 1964, by President Lyndon B. Johnson for his heroic
actions taken during the defense of Camp Nam Dong; and

WHEREAS, After his service in Vietnam, Roger H.C. Donlon earned his
bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska and master's degree at
Campbell University; then, he moved to Leavenworth Kansas to become an
instructor at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth;
and

WHEREAS, During his retirement, Roger H.C. Donlon worked toward
reconciliation between the United States and Vietnam, returning multiple
times to promote peace; and

WHEREAS, As part of his work toward reconciliation, Roger H.C.
Donlon started an educational foundation which funds college
scholarships for Vietnamese and Vietnamese-American Youth and provides
summer internships for students to study in Vietnam; and

WHEREAS, Roger H.C. Donlon is survived by his wife, Norma Shinno
Irving Donlon; two of his brothers, Paul A. Donlon Jr. and Jack Donlon;
his daughter Linda Danninger (Paul); three of his sons Damian, Jason
(Lori), and Derek; his six grandchildren; and one great granddaughter;
and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Roger H.C. Donlon leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
he served and befriended; he will be deeply missed and truly merits the
grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Colonel Roger H.C. Donlon, and to express its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Colonel Roger H.C. Donlon.