Joseph Robert Geary – Captain,United States Navy

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From a contemporary press report:

Captain Joseph Robert Geary, 81, of Bluffton died Wednesday, December 3, 2003, at his home. He was born November 10, 1922, in Boston, the son of the late William T. and Mary Alice Wilson Geary.

Captain Geary entered the Navy’s flight training in 1943 and was commissioned and designated a Naval Aviator in October 1944. He received a masters of business administration from Pepperdine University in 1972.

He flew 52 combat missions over Korea and operated on board several aircraft carriers. He saw additional sea duty during the Vietnam War. Shore duty included a tour as a flight instructor, in the Pentagon and as commander of the Fleet Operations Control Center for the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Captain Geary’s military commendations include the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with gold star, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Unit Commendation with three stars and the Republic of Vietnam Navy Distinguished Service Order Medal.

Following 33 years in the Navy, he retired to Vienna, Virginia, and worked with TECHPLAN Corp. and consulted for GTE.

He also taught a private pilot ground school course for a local college in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Captain Geary is survived by his wife of 32 years, Carolyn Geary; a son, Steve Geary of Dallas, Ga.; and five grandchildren, Joseph, Lauran Lynn, Matthew, Amanda and Christina, all of Dallas.

He also was preceded in death by four brothers.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 333 Fording Island Road in Bluffton, with a vigil service at 6 p.m.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church. Burial with full military honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery in January.

A reception will follow the service on Wednesday at St. Andrew Chapel, 220 Pinckney Colony Road in Bluffton.

GEARY, JOSEPH ROBERT

  • CPT   US NAVY
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: 03/01/1943 – 09/29/1975
  • DATE OF BIRTH: 11/10/1922
  • DATE OF DEATH: 12/03/2003
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 01/29/2004
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 7  SITE 8898-C
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

GEARY, MARTHA BETTY JO

  • DATE OF BIRTH: 05/25/1930
  • DATE OF DEATH: 04/23/1966
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: 04/29/1966
  • BURIED AT: SECTION 7  SITE 8898-C
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
  • WIFE OF GEARY, JOSEPH ROBERT CPT US NAVY

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