Michael N. Zirkle – Colonel, Unied States Army

From a contemporary press report

Michael Neale Zirkle, 67, a retired Army Colonel who became a lawyer in 1986 and at his death had a private practice doing criminal defense work in Arlington, Virignia, died of cancer September 10, 2001 at his home in Arlington, Virginia.

Colonel Zirkle was born in Venezuela, where his father was stationed with the State Department. He was a graduate of the University of Virginia, where he also received a master’s degree in international relations. He was a 1986 graduate of the George Mason University School of Law.

He served in the Army from 1957-84 and served three tours of duty in Vietnam during the war there. His last active duty assignment was in the transportation corps in the office of the joint chiefs of staff at the Pentagon.

He was a recipient of the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.

He was chairman of the Fort Myer Community Retiree Council, and his memberships included the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include his wife, Nancy Behrend Zirkle, whom he married in 1957, of Arlington; two children, Bill Zirkle of Arlington and Carol Zirkle of Herndon; and a sister, Dorothy Zirkle of Bel Air, Mdaryland.

ZIRKLE, MICHAEL NEALE, COL. U.S. ARMY (Ret.)

On Monday, September 10, 2001. COL. MICHAEL NEALE ZIRKLE of Arlington, VA. Beloved husband of Nancy Zirkle; devoted father of Bill and Carol; loving brother of Dorothy. Graveside service will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2001 at 3 p.m. at Arlington National Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in his memory may be made to the charity of your choice.

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard