Foil: 62 Panel: 4 Column: 3 Line: 48

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Sharon Sands-Gregory

Lt. Col. David J. Gregory, USAF (Ret.)
October 2, 1947 - March 8, 2022

David Jerome Gregory grew up in Goshen, NY and graduated from Goshen Central High School in 1965. He then attended the Rhode Island School of Design, where he garnered a degree in architecture and great stories about meeting Andy Warhol and seeing Janis Joplin perform in the cafeteria. Tipped off that his number was going to come up in the draft, he decided to join the Air Force instead. What started as a matter of convenience became a lifelong passion?€”even years later, Dave spoke longingly of the time he spent in the backseat of an F-4.

After serving in Vietnam, Dave decided to make a career of the military, as it meant that he got to keep doing two of his favorite things--flying and traveling. With his wife and two sons, he moved nationally and around the world, spending time in England, Germany, Arizona, and California before settling in Maryland. His Air Force discharge form notes nearly 25 years of service, with 22 years and 7 months as a qualified fighter navigator, and many commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 oak leaf clusters, and many more.

After retiring from the Air Force, Dave launched a second career in defense contracting and dedicated significant time to volunteering with youth soccer organizations. His favorite thing was spending time with his family, which expanded to include two step-children and several beloved cats. After shepherding all of his kids into adulthood and retiring from defense contracting, Dave enjoyed taking trips with his wife Sharon, working in his garden, and volunteering with the USO. His last several years involved serious health challenges, including Alzheimer?€™s disease, but Dave faced all of it with his trademark positive attitude.

When eulogizing his father General Colin Powell, Michael Powell noted that writer Ralph Waldo Emerson felt that the purpose of life was ?€?to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.?€? Using that as the measure, Dave?€™s was a life well-lived. He is buried at Arlington Cemetery.