Captain Gary Scott Dillon, A Marine's Story
Captain Gary Scott Dillon, A Marine's Story
Captain Gary Scott Dillon was born on November 12, 1960, in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Concord High School in 1979 and went on to attend the University of New Hampshire, earning his degree in 1983. Shortly after completing college, Dillon enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, committing himself to military service amid rising global tensions.
Captain Dillon trained as a helicopter pilot and was assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 267 (HMLA-267). The squadron deployed to the Persian Gulf with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Okinawa in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Gulf War.
On October 8, 1990, while conducting a training exercise over the Arabian Sea, Captain Dillon was involved in a midair collision with another helicopter. Both aircraft were lost, and the crews were not recovered. His death occurred during the early months of the Gulf War buildup, underscoring the inherent dangers of aviation operations even outside of combat.
Captain Gary Scott Dillon is memorialized at Union Cemetery in Laconia, New Hampshire. His service reflects the risks carried by Marine aviators who trained and deployed in preparation for war, often placing themselves in harm’s way long before combat operations began.
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About the Author
a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller traveling through life
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
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