Leroy V Greene
Rank: Col
Entered Into Eternal Rest
2007-12-14
Col. LeRoy V. Greene, Jr., (USAF Ret.), 71, died December 14, 2007 at his home in San Antonio, TX.
He was born in Philadel-phia, PA, to the former Katherine Surgent and LeRoy Vincent Greene (former press secretary to then Gov. Edward Martin and later Senator Martin's Chief of Staff).
Col. Greene graduated from high school in Camp Hill, in 1954 as a noted school leader and athlete. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, played tackle on the last undefeated Army football (1958) and graduated in 1959.
Col. Greene lived his life by the Military Academy motto: Duty, Honor, Country. Through personal commitment and public service he worked always to make a difference in the world.
During his 24 year career, he served as launch officer for the first Atlas D missile launched by a Strategic Air Command field crew; completed 50 paratrooper jumps as Chief, Combat Control Division and Combat Control Team Commander with the USAF Special Operations Force; served in Vietnam as a Special Operations Staff Advisor, Advisory Team 73; and at the Pentagon's Directorate of Operations at Headquarters USAF. Col. Greene was also Base Commander, Whiteman AFB, MO, and ended his career in 1982 at the Ballistic Missile Office, Norton AFB, CA. Among the earliest in his West Point class to become a Colonel, he always led by example. He considered himself a patriot of the nature described by Adalai Stevenson: "not frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil, steady dedication of a lifetime."
After retirement, he joined TRW, where he served in a variety of marketing and management positions in CA, AL and TX. He retired in 1997. He served his community through positions on the Bexar County (Texas) Civil Service Commission, Veterans Advisory Committee, Marymont Homeowners Assoc., West Point Society of Southwest Texas, and Bexar County Rail District. He also fulfilled a lifelong ambition by performing as a model and actor.
His military decorations and awards include the Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters); Air Force Commendation Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters); Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry; Vietnamese Psychological Warfare Medal; and the Vietnamese Civic Action Medal.
He was known for his quick wit, impeccable style and commitment to being a Martini "purist." He strove always to embody the highest levels of integrity, trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. He described himself as guided by the thought, "If you don't try, you can't do; and if you can't do, why are you on earth?"
Surviving are wife, Gail of San Antonio; children, Stacey Greene of Redlands, CA, Scott Greene, Col. USAF of Hurlburt Field, FL, Jennifer Greene of Carpinteria, CA, and Wendy Greene of Columbia, MD; and 5 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Duff S. and Bruce B. Greene.
His death shocked friends and family who knew of his commitment to physical fitness. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery SECTION 59, SITE 2998.
